e
From prudent bounty's never empty stores
Borrows and borrows, till there's not a crumb
Left to keep rats from starving. Do not think
That he who wants your gold will heed advice.
When has the Sultan listened to advice?
Hear what befel me with him.

NATHAN.

Well--go on.

AL-HAFI.

He played just now at chess with Sittah. She
Is a keen player. I drew near and watched.
The game which Saladin supposed was lost,
Stood yet upon the board. He had given in,
I marked, and cried, "The game's not lost at all!"

NATHAN.

Oh! what a grand discovery for you.

AL-HAFI.

He needed only to remove his king
Behind the castle--and the check was saved.
Could I but show you----

NATHAN.

I believe it all!

AL-HAFI.

Then with the castle free, he must have won.
I saw it, and I called him to the board.
What do you think he did?

NATHAN.

He doubted you.

AL-HAFI.

Not only that--he would not hear a word--
And with contempt he overthrew the board.

NATHAN.

Indeed!

AL-HAFI.

He said he chose it--would be mate.
Is that to play the game?

NATHAN.

Most surely not.
'Twas rather playing with the game.

AL-HAFI.

And yet
The stakes were high.

NATHAN.

A trifle to the Sultan!
Money is nought to him. It is not that
Which galls, but not to hear Al-Hafi out--
Not to admire his comprehensive glance,
His eagle eye--'tis that demands revenge.
Say, am I right?

AL-HAFI.

I only tell this tale
That you may know how much his head is worth.
But I am weary of him. All the day
I am running round to every wretched Moor
To borrow--money for him--I who ne'er
Ask for myself, am now obliged to sue
For others--and, according to my creed,
To borrow i