Sittah monologue (Act 2) — Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

A pretty dream. It makes me smile. You do not know the Christians. You will not know them. ’Tis this people’s pride Not to be men, but to be Christians. Even What of humane their Founder felt, and taught, And left to savour their found superstition, They value not because it is humane, Lovely, and good for man; they only prize it Because ’twas Christ who taught it, Christ who did it. ’Tis well for them He was so good a man: Well that they take His goodness all for granted, And in His virtues put their trust. His virtues— ’Tis not His virtues, but His name alone They wish to thrust upon us—’Tis His name Which they desire should overspread the world, Should swallow up the name of all good men, And put the best to shame. ’Tis His mere name They care for—