Nathan The Wise A Dramatic Poem In Five Acts

Reprint of the original, first published in 1867.

Nathan the Wise is a play published by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. It is a passionate appeal for religious tolerance and accepting all fellow human beings.

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was born on the 22nd of January, 1729, eldest of ten sons of a pious and learned minister of Camenz in the Oberlausitz, who had two daughters also. As a child Lessing delighted in books, and had knowledge beyond his years when he went to school, in Meissen, at the age of twelve. As a school-boy he read much Greek and Latin that formed no part of the school course; read also the German poets of his time, wrote a "History of Ancient Mathematics," and began a poem of his own on the "Plurality of Worlds." In 1746, at the age of seventeen, Lessing was sent to the University of Leipsic. There he studied with energy, and was attracted strongly by the theatre. His artistic interest in the drama caused him to be put on the free list of the theatre, in exchange for some translations of French pieces. Then he produced, also for the Leipsic stage, many slight pieces of his own, and he had serious thought of turning actor, which excited alarm in the parsonage at Camenz and caused his recall home in January, 1747. It was found, however, that although he could not be trained to follow his father's profession, he had been studying to such good purpose, and developing, in purity of life, such worth of character, that after Easter he was sent back to Leipsic, with leave to transfer his studies from theology to medicine.

DAYA.'Tis he, 'tis Nathan! Thanks to the Almighty, That you're at last returned.NATHAN. Yes, Daya, thanks, That I have reached Jerusalem in safety.But wherefore this at last? Did I intend, Or was it possible to come back sooner?As I was forced to travel, out and in, 'Tis a long hundred leagues to Babylon;And to get in one's debts is no employment, That speeds a traveller.DAYA. O Nathan, Nathan, How miserable you had nigh becomeDuring this little absence; for your house-NATHAN.Well, 'twas on fire; I have already heard it.God grant I may have heard the whole, that chanced!DAYA.'Twas on the point of burning to the ground.NATHAN.Then we'd have built another, and a better.DAYA.True!-But thy Recha too was on the pointOf perishing amid the flames.NATHAN. Of perishing?My Recha, saidst thou? She? I heard not that.I then should not have needed any house.Upon the point of perishing-perchanceShe's gone?-Speak out then-out-torment me notWith this suspense.-Come, tell me, tell me all.DAYA.Were she no more, from me you would not hear it.

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