Think you so?
Then I would fain see him that may convert her.
It is her fate long since to have been that
Which she can now no more become.

TEMPLAR.

Explain,
Or leave me.

DAJA.

Well! she is a Christian maid,
Of Christian parents born--and is baptised.

TEMPLAR (_hastily_).

And Nathan!

DAJA.

Not her father.

TEMPLAR.

Nathan not
Her father? Are you sure of that?

DAJA.

I am;
The truth has cost me tears of blood. He's not.

TEMPLAR.

But as his daughter he has brought her up,
Brought up the Christian maiden as a Jewess?

DAJA.

Just so.

TEMPLAR.

And knows she aught about her birth?
Has she not learnt from him that she was born
A Christian and no Jewess?

DAJA.

Never yet.

TEMPLAR.

And he not only let the child grow up
In this mistaken notion, but he leaves
The woman in it.

DAJA.

Ay, alas!

TEMPLAR.

Oh, Nathan!
How can the wise, good Nathan lend himself
To stifle Nature's voice--to misdirect
The yearnings of a heart in such a way
Which, to itself abandoned, would have formed
Another bias, Daja? Ay, in truth,
The secret is of moment, and may have
Important issues. But I feel perplexed:
I know not how I ought to act. But go,
Let me have breathing time. He may approach,
He may surprise us suddenly. Farewell!

DAJA.

I tremble with affright.

TEMPLAR.

And I can scarce
Express my thoughts. But go; and should you chance
To meet him, say he'll find me at the Sultan's.

DAJA.

Let him not see that you have any thing
Against him. That 'twere well to keep res