lendid thing to be so circumspect!

SALADIN.

Nay, but you must concede somewhat to age.
His doubts will pass away, nor will he wish
You to become a Jew.

TEMPLAR.

Who knows?

SALADIN.

Who knows!
One who knows Nathan better than yourself.

TEMPLAR.

And yet the superstitions we have learned
From education, do not lose their power
When we have found them out; nor are all free
Whose judgment mocks the galling chains they wear.

SALADIN.

'Tis wisely said; but Nathan, surely Nathan----

TEMPLAR.

That superstition is the worst of all
Which thinks itself the easiest to be borne----

SALADIN.

'Tis possible. But Nathan----

TEMPLAR.

And to trust
To it alone a blind humanity
Till it is used to truth's more brilliant light.
To it alone----

SALADIN.

Well, well! But Nathan's fate
Is not to be so weak----

TEMPLAR.

I thought so once,
But what if this bright pattern to mankind
Were such a thorough Jew that he seeks out
For Christian children to bring up as Jews?
How then?

SALADIN.

Who speaks so of him?

TEMPLAR.

E'en the maid
For whom I'm so distressed, with hopes of whom
He seemed so glad to recompense the deed
He would not suffer me to do for naught.
This maid is not his daughter; no, she is
A kidnapped Christian child.

SALADIN.

Whom Nathan now
Refuses you!

TEMPLAR (_earnestly_).

Refuse or not refuse,
He is found out--the prating hypocrite
Is now found out; but on this Jewish wolf,
For all his philosophical sheep's garb,
Dogs I can loosen who will tear his hide.

SALADIN (_earnestly_).

Peace, Christian!

TEMPLAR.