NATHAN.

May be, the people.

SALADIN.

Fancy not that I Think of the people's voice contemptuously; I have been wishing much to know the man Whom it has named the wise.

NATHAN.

And if it named Him so in scorn. If wise meant only prudent.

And prudent, one who knows his interest well.

SALADIN.

Who knows his real interest, thou must mean.

NATHAN.

Then were the interested the most prudent, Then wise and prudent were the same.

SALADIN.

I hear You proving what your speeches contradict.

You know man's real interests, which the people Knows not--at least have studied how to know them.

That alone makes the sage.

NATHAN.

Which each imagines Himself to be.

SALADIN.

Of modesty enough!

Ever to meet it, where one seeks to hear Dry truth, is vexing. Let us to the purpose - But, Jew, sincere and open -

NATHAN.

I will serve thee So as to merit, prince, thy further notice.

SALADIN.

Serve me--how?

NATHAN.

Thou shalt have the best I bring.

Shalt have them cheap.

SALADIN.

What speak you of?--your wares?

My sister shall be called to bargain with you For them (so much for the sly listener), I Have nothing to transact now with the merchant.

NATHAN.

Doubtless then you would learn, what, on my journey, I noticed of the motions of the foe, Who stirs anew. If unreserved I may -

SALADIN.

Neither was that the object of my sending: I know what I have need to know already.

In short I willed your presence -

NATHAN.

Sultan, order.

SALADIN.

To gain instruction quite on other points.

Since you are a man so wise, tell me which law, Which faith appears to you the better?

NATHAN.

Sultan, I am a Jew.

SALADIN.

And I a Mussulman: The Christian stands between us. Of these three Religions only one came be the true.

A man, like you, remains not just where birth Has chanced to cast him, or, if he remains there, Does it from insight, choice, from grounds of preference.

Share then with me your insight--let me hear The grounds of preference, which I have wanted The leisure to examine--learn the choice, These grounds have motived, that it may be mine.

In confidence I ask it. How you startle, And weigh me with your eye! It may well be I'm the first sultan to whom this caprice, Methinks not quite unworthy of a sultan, Has yet occurred. Am I not? Speak then--Speak.

Or do you, to collect yourself, desire Some moments of delay--I give them you - (Whether she's listening?--I must know of her If I've done right.) Reflect--I'll soon return -

[Saladin steps into the room to which Sittah had retired.]

NATHAN.

Strange! how is this? what wills the sultan of me?

I came prepared with cash--he asks truth. Truth?

As if truth too were cash--a coin disused That goes by weight--indeed 'tis some such thing - But a new coin, known by the stamp at once, To be flung down and told upon the counter, It is not that. Like gold in bags tied up, So truth lies h.o.a.rded in the wise man's head To be brought out.--Which now in this transaction Which of us plays the Jew; he asks for truth, Is truth what he requires, his aim, his end?

That this is but the glue to lime a snare Ought not to be suspected, 'twere too little, Yet what is found too little for the great - In fact, through hedge and pale to stalk at once Into one's field beseems not--friends look round, Seek for the path, ask leave to pa.s.s the gate - I must be cautious. Yet to damp him back, And be the stubborn Jew is not the thing; And wholly to throw off the Jew, still less.

For if no Jew he might with right inquire - Why not a Mussulman--Yes--that may serve me.

Not children only can be quieted With stories. Ha! he comes--well, let him come.

SALADIN (returning).

So, there, the field is clear, I'm not too quick, Thou hast bethought thyself as much as need is, Speak, no one hears.

NATHAN.