Act 1 — Scene IV.
Ernest Bell translation
Daja (rushing in), Nathan.
DAJA.
O Nathan, Nathan!
NATHAN.
Well! what now?
DAJA.
He's there.
He shows himself once more.
NATHAN.
Who, Daja--who?
DAJA.
He--he!
NATHAN.
Where cannot he be found? But he
You mean, is, I suppose, the only He.
That should not be, were he an angel's self.
DAJA.
Beneath the palms he wanders up and down,
And gathers dates.
NATHAN.
And eats them, I suppose,
Just as a Templar would.
DAJA.
You mock me, sir!
Her eager eye espied him long ago,
When scarcely seen amid the distant trees.
She watches him intently, and implores
That you will go to him without delay.
Then go, and from the window she will mark
Which way his paces tend. Go, go; make haste!
NATHAN.
What! thus, as I alighted from my camel?
Would that be seemly? But do you accost him;
Tell him of my return. I do not doubt
You'll find the honest man forbore our house
Because the host was absent. He'll accept
A father's invitation. Say I ask him,
I heartily request him.
DAJA.
All in vain!
In short, he will not visit any Jew.
NATHAN.
Then use your best endeavours to detain him,
Or, with unerring eye, observe his steps,
And mark him well. Go, I shall not be long.
(Nathan enters the house. Daja retires.)