serves the name.

NATHAN.

An end like mine! What mean you?

DAJA.

My conscience----

NATHAN.

Daja, let me tell you first----

DAJA.

I say my conscience----

NATHAN.

Oh, the gorgeous robe
That I have bought for you in Babylon!
Costly it is and rare. For Recha's self
I have not bought a richer.

DAJA.

What of that?
My conscience can be silent now no more.

NATHAN.

I long to witness your delight, to see
The bracelets, earrings, and the golden chain
Which I selected at Damascus for you.

DAJA.

'Tis always so, you surfeit me with gifts.

NATHAN.

Accept them freely, as they are bestowed,
And silence!

DAJA.

Silence! Yes. But who can doubt
That you are generosity itself?
And yet----

NATHAN.

I'm but a Jew! Daja, confess
That I have guessed your thought.

DAJA.

You know my thoughts
Far better.

NATHAN.

Well, be silent!

DAJA.

I am dumb.
And henceforth all the evil that may spring
From this, which I cannot avert, nor change,
Fall on your head.

NATHAN.

Let it all fall on me!
But where is Recha? What detains her thus?
Are you deceiving me? Can she have heard
That I am here?

DAJA.

Yourself must answer that.
Terror still palpitates through every nerve,
And fancy mingles fire with all her thoughts.
In sleep her soul's awake; but when awake,
Is wrapt in slumber. Less than mortal now,
And now far more than angel, she appears.

NATHAN.

Poor child! how frail a thing is human nature!

DAJA.

She lay this morning with her