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

Well said: and yet, I trust, you know the nation, That first began to strike at fellow men, That first baptised itself the chosen people— How now if I were—not to hate this people, Yet for its pride could not forbear to scorn it, The pride which it to Mussulman and Christian Bequeathed, as were its God alone the true one, You start, that I, a Christian and a templar, Talk thus. Where, when, has e’er the pious rage To own the better god—on the whole world To force this better, as the best of all— Shown itself more, and in a blacker form, Than here, than now? To him, whom, here and now, The film is not removing from his eye— But be he blind that wills! Forget my speeches And leave me.