On him—sure not to borrow—why, you know him—
He lend? Therein his very wisdom lies,
That he lends no one.
SITTAH.
Formerly thon gav’st
A very different picture of this Nathan.
HAFI.
In case of need he’ll lend you merchandise,
But money, money, never. He’s a Jew,
There are but few such! he has understanding,
Knows life, plays chess; but is in bad notorious
Above his brethren, as he is in good.
On him rely not. To the poor indeed
He vies perhaps with Saladin in giving:
Though he distributes less, he gives as freely,
As silently, as nobly, to Jew, Christian,
Mahometan, or Parsee—’tis all one.
SITTAH.
And such a man should be—
SALADIN.
How comes it then
I never heard of him?
SITTAH.