SALADIN.
Is there need
Of opportunity for that? Speak freely.
NATHAN.
I come from a long journey from collecting
Debts, and I’ve almost of hard cash too much;
The times look perilous—I know not where
To lodge it safely—I was thinking thou,
For coming wars require large sums, couldst use it.
SALADIN (fixing Nathan).
Nathan, I ask not if thou sawst Al-Hafi,
I’ll not examine if some shrewd suspicion
Spurs thee to make this offer of thyself.
NATHAN.
Suspicion—
SALADIN.
I deserve this offer. Pardon,
For what avails concealment, I acknowledge
I was about—