Act 2 — Scene III.
Ernest Bell translation
Sittah, Saladin.
SITTAH.
He speeds away, as though he would escape.
Why so? Is he indeed himself deceived,
Or would he now mislead me?
SALADIN.
Can I guess?
I scarcely know the man of whom you speak,
And, for the first time, hear to-day of him.
SITTAH.
Can it be possible you know him not
Who, it is said, has visited the
Of Solomon and David; knows the spell
To ope their marble lids, and thence obtain
The boundless stores that claim no lesser source.
SALADIN.
Were this man's wealth by miracle procured,
'Tis not at Solomon's or David's tomb
That it is found. Mere mortal fools lie there.
SITTAH.
Or knaves!--But still his source of opulence
Is more productive, more exhaustless than
A cave of Mammon.
SALADIN.
For he trades, I'm told.
SITTAH.
His caravans through every desert toil,
His laden camels throng the public roads,
His ships in every harbour furl their sails.
Al-Hafi long ago has told me this,
Adding, with pride, how Nathan gives away,
What he esteems it noble to have earned
By patient industry, for others' wants;
How free from bias is his lofty soul,
His heart to every virtue how unlocked,
To every lovely feeling how allied!
SALADIN.
And yet Al-Hafi spoke with coldness of him.
SITTAH.
Not coldness, but unwillingness, as if
He deemed it dangerous to praise too much,
Yet knew not how to blame without a cause.
Or can it be, in truth, that e'en the best
Amongst a tribe can never quite escape
The foibles of their race, and that, in fact,
Al-Hafi has in this to blush for Nathan?
But come what may, let him be Jew or not,
If he be rich, that is enough for me.
SALADIN.
You would not, sister, take his--wealth by force?
SITTAH.
By force? What mean you? Fire and sword? Oh, no!
What force is necessary with the weak
But their own weakness? Come awhile with me,
Into my harem. I have bought a songstress
You have not heard--she came but yesterday.
Meanwhile I'll think upon a subtle plan
For this same Nathan. Follow, Saladin!