NATHAN.

Conrad of Stauffen was her brother's name.
He was a Templar.

FRIAR.

Yes, I think he was:
But hold, I have a book that was my lord's.
I drew it from his bosom when he lay
Dead, and we buried him at Askalon.

NATHAN.

Well!

FRIAR.

There are prayers in it; 'tis what we call
A breviary. This, thought I, yet may serve
Some Christian man--not me, forsooth--for I
Can't read a word.

NATHAN.

No matter--to the point.

FRIAR.

The pages of this book are written all
In his own hand, and, as I'm told, contain
All that's important touching him and her.

NATHAN.

Go, run and fetch the book: 'tis fortunate!
I'll pay you for it with its weight in gold.
And with a thousand thanks besides. Go! run!

FRIAR.

I go--but what he wrote is Arabic. (_Exit_)

NATHAN.

No matter, fetch it. What, if from this book
I can find means to keep this precious girl,
And win, to boot, a son-in-law like him!
I hardly hope--fate must decide. But who
Has told the Patriarch this? I must not fail
To ascertain. It surely was not Daja?

Scene VIII.

Daja _and_ Nathan.

DAJA (_rushing in in agitation_).

Only think, Nathan!

NATHAN.

What?

DAJA.

Well--only think:
The child was frightened when the message came!

NATHAN.

From whom? The Patriarch?

DAJA.

The Sultan's sister,
The Princess Sittah--

NATHAN.

Not the Patriarch?

DAJA.

No, Sittah. Can't you hear? The Princess sends,
And wishes Recha to be brought to her.

NATHAN.

Wishes for Recha! Sittah wishes thus?
'Tis Sittah, then--and not the Patriarch?