DAJA.

Why do you speak of him?

NATHAN.

Have you not heard
Some tidings of him lately? Have you seen
Nothing of him, and whispered nothing to him?

DAJA.

How could I so?

NATHAN.

Where are the messengers?

DAJA.

They stand without.

NATHAN.

I'll speak to them myself--
'Tis prudent; I shall see if nothing lurks
Behind this message, from the Patriarch. (_Exit_.)

DAJA.

Well, I have other fears. The only child,
As they suppose, of such a wealthy Jew,
Would for a Mussulman be no bad thing.
I'll wager that the Templar loses her,
Unless I risk a second step, and state
Plainly to Recha who she is. So, courage!
And to do this I must at once employ
The first brief moments when we are alone.
Chance serves: she waits for me, and on the way
An earnest hint will never prove amiss.
So now or never. All will soon be well. (_Follows Nathan_.)

ACT V.

Scene I.--_The room in_ Saladin's _Palace. The treasure still
piled up_.

(Saladin, _and several Mamelukes_.)

SALADIN (_as he enters_).

There lies the gold--and no one yet has seen
The Dervise. He will probably be found
Over the chess-board. Play can often make
A man forget himself. Then why not me?
But patience. What's the matter?

1ST MAMELUKE.

Oh, good news!
Joy, Sultan! joy. The Cairo caravan
Is safe arrived, and from the Nile it brings
The seven years' tribute.

SALADIN.

Bravo, Ibrahim!
You always were a welcome messenger,
And now at length--accept my heartfelt thanks
For the good tidings.

1ST MAMELUKE (_waiting_).

(Let me have them, then!)

SALADIN.

What are you waiting for? Go.

1ST MAMELUKE.

Nothing more
For my good news?