Nathan, who have grown
old with him from my childhood, nor hath he ever advanced me to
otherwhat than that which thou seest me; wherefore, albeit every one
else is mighty well pleased with him, I for my part have little cause
to thank him.' These words afforded Mithridanes some hope of availing
with more certitude and more safety to give effect to his perverse
design, and Nathan very courteously asking him who he was and what
occasion brought him into those parts and proffering him his advice
and assistance insomuch as lay in his power, he hesitated awhile to
reply, but, presently, resolving to trust himself to him, he with a
long circuit of words[445] required him first of secrecy and after of
aid and counsel and entirely discovered to him who he was and
wherefore and on what motion he came. Nathan, hearing his discourse
and his cruel design, was inwardly all disordered; but nevertheless,
without much hesitation, he answered him with an undaunted mind and a
firm countenance, saying, 'Mithridanes, thy father was a noble man and
thou showest thyself minded not to degenerate from him, in having
entered upon so high an emprise as this thou hast undertaken, to wit,
to be liberal unto all; and greatly do I commend the jealousy thou
bearest unto Nathan's virtues, for that, were there many such,[446]
the world, that is most wretched, would soon become good. The design
that thou hast discovered to me I will without fail keep secret; but
for the accomplishment thereof I can rather give thee useful counsel
than great help; the which is this. Thou mayst from here see a
coppice, maybe half a mile hence, wherein Nathan well nigh every
morning walketh all alone, taking his pleasure there a pretty long
while; and there it will be a light matter to thee to find him and do
thy will of him. If thou slay him, thou must, so thou mayst return
home without hindrance, get thee gone, not by that way thou camest,
but by that which thou wilt see issue forth of the coppice on the left
hand, for that, albeit it is somewhat wilder, it is nearer to thy
country and safer for thee.'

[Footnote 445: Or as we should say, "After much beating about the
bush."]

[Footnote 446: _i.e._ jealousies.]

Mithridanes, having received this information and Nathan having taken
leave of him, privily let his companions, who had, like himself, taken
up their sojourn in the palace, know where they should look for him on
the morrow; and the new day came, Nathan, whos