Great God forbid!

TEMPLAR.

And now I have a favour to implore.
Know me henceforth no more. Grant me this grace,
And save me from her father; for with me
A Jew's a Jew; a Swabian blunt am I.
The image of the maid is now erased
Out of my soul--if it was ever there.

DAJA.

But yours remains with her.

TEMPLAR.

Well, and what then?

DAJA.

Who knows? Men are not always what they seem.

TEMPLAR.

They're seldom better. (_Going_.)

DAJA.

Stay a little while.
What need of haste?

TEMPLAR.

Woman! forbear to make
These palm--trees odious: I have loved their shade.

DAJA.

Then go, thou German bear! Yet I must follow him.
(_She follow him at a distance_.)

ACT II.

Scene I.--_The Sultan's Palace_.

Saladin and Sittah (_playing at chess_).

SITTAH.

Where are your thoughts? How ill you play, dear brother!

SALADIN.

Not well in truth--and yet I thought----

SITTAH.

Oh, yes!
You're playing well for me; take back that move.

SALADIN.

Why?
SITTAH.

Don't you see you leave your knight exposed?

SALADIN.

Ay, true!--then so.

SITTAH.

And now I take your pawn.

SALADIN.

That's true again, dear Sittah! Well, then, check!

SITTAH.

That will not help you--I protect my king,
And all is safe again.

SALADIN.

Well, out of this
Dilemma 'tis not easy to escape.
I cannot save the knight.

SITTAH.

I pass him by;
I will not take him.