Should be unwilling
To lend to Saladin, who wants for others,
Not for himself.
HAFI.
Aye, there peeps out the Jew,
The ordinary Jew. Believe me, prince,
He’s jealous, really envious of your giving.
To earn God’s favour seems his very business.
He lends not that he may always have to give.
The law commandeth mercy, not compliance:
And thus for mercy’s sake he’s uncomplying.
’Tis true, I am not now on the best terms
With Nathan, but I must entreat you, think not
That therefore I would do injustice to him.
He’s good in everything, but not in that—
Only in that. I’ll knock at other doors.
I just have recollected an old Moor,
Who’s rich and covetous—I go—I go.
SITTAH.
Why in such hurry, Hafi?
SALADIN.
Let him go.
Saladin and Sittah.
SITTAH.
He hastens like a man who would escape me;
Why so? Was he indeed deceived in Nathan,
Or does he play upon us?