No More Learning

I'm treasurer
To Saladin, whose coffers ever ebb
Ere sunset; such his bounty to the poor!
It brings me little, truly; but to thee
'Twas great advantage, for when money's low
Thou couldst unlock thy sluices; ay, and charge
Interest o'er interest!

NATHAN: Till my capital
Becomes all interest?

HAFI: Nay, but that's unworthy,
My friend; write _finis_ to our book of friendship
If that's thy view. I count on thee for aid
To quit me of my office worthily.
Grant me but open chest with thee. What, no?

NATHAN: To Hafi, yes; but to the treasurer
Of Saladin, Al Hafi, nay!

HAFI: These twain
Shall soon be parted: by the Ganges strand
I'll with my Dervish teachers wander barefoot,
Or play at chess with them once more!

NATHAN: Al Hafi,
Go to your desert quickly. Among men
I fear you'll soon unlearn to be a man. [_Goes out_.
What? Gone? I could have wished to question him
About our Templar.
Doubtless he will know him.
DAYA (_bursting in_): Nathan, the Templar's yonder, 'neath the palms.
Recha hath spied him, and she conjures you
To follow him most punctually. Haste!

NATHAN: Take him my invitation.

DAYA: All in vain.
He will not visit Jews.

NATHAN: Then hold him there
Till I rejoin you. I shall not be long.


SCENE II. --_A place of palms. Enter the_ TEMPLAR, _followed by a_
FRIAR.

TEMPLAR: This fellow does not follow me for pastime.

FRIAR: I'm from the Patriarch: he is fain to learn
Why you alone were spared by Saladin.

TEMPLAR: My neck was ready for the blow, when he
Had me unbound. How all this hangs together
Thy Patriarch may unravel.