Templar monologue (Act 5) — Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts

Accused thee, no, that by his leave is false. Nathan do hear me—I am not the man Who would deny a single of his actions; What I have done, I did. Nor am I one Who would defend all he has done as right— Why be ashamed of failing? Am I not Firmly resolved on better future conduct? And am I not aware how much the man That’s willing can improve? O, hear me, Nathan— I am the templar your lay-brother talked of— Who has accused—You know what made me angry, What set the blood in all my veins on fire, The mad-cap that I was—I had drawn nigh To fling myself with soul and body whole Into your arms—and you received me, Nathan— How cold, how lukewarm, for that’s worse than cold.— How with words weighed and measured, you took care To put me off; and with what questioning About my parentage, and God knows what, You seemed to answer me—I must not think on’t If I would keep my temper—Hear me, Nathan— While in this ferment—Daya steps behind me, Bolts out a secret in my ear, which seemed At once to lend a clue to your behaviour.