Act 5 — Scene IV.
Ernest Bell translation
Nathan and the Friar.
NATHAN (approaching him).
Good brother, once more, thanks.
FRIAR.
The same to you.
NATHAN.
Why thanks from you? Because I'm wayward, and
Would force upon you what you cannot use?
FRIAR.
The book you have did not belong to me.
It is the maid's, is all her property,
Her only patrimony--save yourself.
God grant you ne'er have reason to repent
Of what you've done for her!
NATHAN.
Impossible!
That cannot be. Fear not.
FRIAR.
Alas! alas!
These Patriarchs and Templars----
NATHAN.
Cannot work
Such evil as to force me to repent.
But are you sure it is a Templar who
Urges the Patriarch?
FRIAR.
It is none else;
A Templar talked with him just now, and all
I hear confirms the rumour.
NATHAN.
But there is
Only one Templar in Jerusalem,
And him I know. He is a friend of mine,
A noble, open-hearted youth.
FRIAR.
The same.
But what one is at heart, and what one must
Appear in active life, are not the same.
NATHAN.
Alas! 'tis true. And so let every one
Act as he will, and do his best, or worst.
With your book, brother, I defy them all!
I'm going straightway with it to the Sultan.
FRIAR.
Then God be with you! Here I take my leave.
NATHAN.
What! without seeing her? But come again,
Come soon--come often. If the Patriarch
To-day learns nothing. Well! no matter now!
Tell him the whole to-day, or when you will.
FRIAR.
Not I. Farewell! (Exit.)
NATHAN.
Do not forget us, brother!
O God! I could sink down upon my knees,
Here on this spot! Behold, the knotted skein
Which has so often troubled me, at last
Untangles of itself. I feel at ease,
Since henceforth nothing in this world remains
That I need hide. Henceforth, I am as free
Before mankind, as in the sight of God.
Who only does not need to judge us men
By deeds, which oftentimes are not our own.