d who will!--forget my words,
And leave me (_is going_).

NATHAN.

Templar! you but little know
How closer henceforth I shall cling to you.
We must, we must be friends. Despise my people--
We did not choose a nation for ourselves.
Are we our nation's? What then is a nation?
Were Jews or Christians such, ere they were men?
Ah! would that I had found in you one man
To whom it were enough to be a man.

TEMPLAR.

Thou hast so, Nathan! Yes, by Heaven, thou hast.
Thy hand. I blush to have mistaken thee.

NATHAN.

Now I feel proud. 'Tis only common souls
In whom we seldom err.

TEMPLAR.

Uncommon ones
We do not oft forget. Nathan, we must,
We must be friends.

NATHAN.

We are so. And my Recha
Will now rejoice. How bright the prospect grows
That dawns upon me! If you did but know her.

TEMPLAR.

I grow impatient, Nathan. But who now
Comes from your house? Methinks it is your Daja.

NATHAN.

Yes, and her look how full of care! God grant----

TEMPLAR.

That nothing may have chanced to our Recha!

Scene VI.

Daja (_rushing in_).

DAJA.

Nathan, dear Nathan!

NATHAN.

Well.

DAJA.

Forgive me, Knight,
That I must interrupt you.

NATHAN.

What has happened?

DAJA.

The Sultan sends for you--commands you straight
To speak with him. Protect us, Heaven! the Sultan!

NATHAN.

The Sultan sends for me! He would inspect
The goods--the precious wares that I have brought
From Persia. Say there's nothing yet unpacked.

DAJA.

No, no; 'tis not to look at anything;
He wants to speak to you in person, Nathan,
And orders you to come at once.

NATHAN.