NATHAN.

He had espoused a German, and he lived
For some, time with your mother there.

TEMPLAR.

No more
Of this, I beg. But what of Recha's brother?

NATHAN.

It is yourself.

TEMPLAR.

What, I? am I her brother?

RECHA.

He, my brother?
SALADIN.

Are they so near akin?

RECHA (_approaching the_ Templar).

My brother!

TEMPLAR (_stepping back_).

I, your brother?

RECHA (_stopping and turning to Nathan_).

No, in truth,
It cannot be. His heart makes no response.
O God! we are deceivers.

SALADIN (_to the_ Templar).

Say you so?
Is that your thought? All is deceit in you:
The voice, the gesture, and the countenance,
Nothing of these is yours. How! will you not
Acknowledge such a sister? Then begone!

TEMPLAR (_approaching him humbly_).

Oh! do not misinterpret my surprise.
Sultan, you never saw your Assad's heart
At any time like this. Then do not err,
Mistake not him and me. (_Turning to_ Nathan.) You give
me much,
Nathan, and also you take much away,
And yet you give me more than you withdraw--
Ay, infinitely more. My sister, sister! (_embraces_ Recha.)

NATHAN.

Blanda of Filneck.

TEMPLAR.

Blanda, ha! not Recha?
Your Recha now no more! Have you resigned
Your child? Give her her Christian name once more,
And for my sake discard her then. Oh, Nathan,
Why must she suffer for a fault of mine?

NATHAN.

What mean you, oh, my children, both of you?
For sure my daughter's brother is my child
Whenever he shall wish.
(_While they embrace_ Nathan, Saladin _uneasily approaches_
Sittah.)

SALADIN.

What say you, sister? Sittah.

SITTAH.

I'm deeply moved----

SALADIN.