“Introite nam et heic Dii sunt!”—APUD GELLIUM.
DAYA, _a Christian Woman dwelling with the Jew a companion to Recha_.
ATHANASIOS, _the Patriarch of Palestine_.
_An Emir_, _sundry Mamalukes_, _Slaves_, _&c._
NATHAN, _in a travelling dress_, DAYA _meeting him_.
’Tis he, ’tis Nathan! Thanks to the Almighty, That you’re at last returned.
Yes, Daya, thanks, That I have reached Jerusalem in safety. But wherefore this _at last_? Did I intend, Or was it possible to come back sooner? As I was forced to travel, out and in, ’Tis a long hundred leagues to Babylon; And to get in one’s debts is no employment, That speeds a traveller.
O Nathan, Nathan, How miserable you had nigh become During this little absence; for your house—
Well, ’twas on fire; I have already heard it. God grant I may have heard the whole, that chanced!
’Twas on the point of burning to the ground.
Then we’d have built another, and a better.
True!—But thy Recha too was on the point Of perishing amid the flames.
Of perishing? My Recha, saidst thou? She? I heard not that. I then should not have needed any house. Upon the point of perishing—perchance She’s gone?—Speak out then—out—torment me not With this suspense.—Come, tell me, tell me all.
Were she no more, from me you would not hear it.
What if I ever were Doomed to unlearn to call this child, _my_ child,
Nought by a better. What I else enjoy Nature and Fortune gave—this treasure, Virtue.
How dear you make me pay for all your goodness!— If goodness, exercised with such a view, Deserves the name.—
What a charming silk I bought for you in Babylon! ’Tis rich, Yet elegantly rich. I almost doubt If I have brought a prettier for Recha.
And what of that—I tell you that my conscience Will no be longer hushed.
And I have bracelets, And earrings, and a necklace, which will charm you. I chose them at Damascus.
That’s your way:— If you can but make presents—but make presents.—
And cease?—Who questions, Nathan, but that you are Honour and generosity in person;— Yet—
Yet I’m but a Jew.—That was your meaning.
You better know what was my meaning, Nathan.
I shall be silent; But what of sinful in the eye of heaven Springs out of it—not I, not I could help; It falls upon thy head.
So let it, Daya. Where is she then? What stays her? Surely, surely, You’re not amusing me—And does she know That I’m arrived?