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

In short I to the patriarch went. I named you not. That, as I said, was false. I only stated In general terms, the case, to learn his notion, That too might have been let alone—assuredly. For knew I not the patriarch then to be A knave? And might I not have talked with you? And ought I to have exposed the poor girl—ha! To part with such a father? Now what happens? The patriarch’s villainy consistent ever Restored me to myself—O, hear me out— Suppose he was to ferret out your name, What then? What then? He cannot seize the maid, Unless she still belong to none but you. ’Tis from your house alone that he could drag her Into a convent; therefore grant her me— Grant her to me, and let him come. By God— Sever my wife from me—he’ll not be rash Enough to think about it. Give her to me, Be she or no thy daughter, Christian, Jewess, Or neither, ’tis all one, all one—I’ll never In my whole life ask of thee which she is, Be’t as it may.