[024]
Possessed of this information, Mitridanes, when Nathan had left
him, privily apprised his comrades, who were likewise lodged in the
palace, of the place where they were to await him on the ensuing
day; which being come, Nathan, inflexibly determined to act in all
respects according to the advice which he had given Mitridanes,
hied him forth to the copse unattended, to meet his death.
[025]
Mitridanes,
being risen, took his bow and sword, for other arms he had
none with him, mounted his horse, and rode to the copse, through
which, while he was yet some way off, he saw Nathan passing, quite
alone. And being minded, before he fell upon him, to see his face
and hear the sound of his voice, as, riding at a smart pace, he came
up with him, he laid hold of him by his head-gear, exclaiming:
"Greybeard, thou art a dead man."
[026]
Whereto Nathan answered
nought but: "Then 'tis but my desert."
[027]
But Mitridanes, hearing
the voice, and scanning the face, forthwith knew him for the same
man that had welcomed him heartily, consorted with him familiarly,
and counselled him faithfully; whereby his wrath presently subsided,
and gave place to shame. Wherefore, casting away the sword that
he held drawn in act to strike, he sprang from his horse, and weeping,
threw himself at Nathan's feet, saying:
[028]
"Your liberality, dearest
father, I acknowledge to be beyond all question, seeing with what
craft you did plot your coming hither to yield me your life, for
which, by mine own avowal, you knew that I, albeit cause I had
none, did thirst. But God, more regardful of my duty than I
myself, has now, in this moment of supreme stress, opened the eyes
of my mind, that wretched envy had fast sealed.
[029]
The prompter
was your compliance, the greater is the debt of penitence that I owe
you for my fault; wherefore wreak even such vengeance upon me
as you may deem answerable to my transgression."
[030]
But Nathan
raised Mitridanes to his feet, and tenderly embraced him, saying:
"My son, thy enterprise, howsoever thou mayst denote it, whether
evil or otherwise, was not such that thou shouldst crave, or I give,
pardon thereof; for 'twas not in malice but in that thou wouldst
fain have been reputed better than I that thou ensuedst it. [031]Doubt
then no more of me; nay, rest assured that none that lives bears
thee such love as I, who know the loftiness of thy spirit, bent not
to heap up wealth, as do the caitiffs, but to dispense in bounty thine
accumulated store.
[032]
Think it no shame that to enhance thy reputation
thou wouldst have slain me; nor deem that I marvel thereat.
To slay not one man, as thou wast minded, but countless multitudes,
to waste whole countries with fire, and to raze cities to the ground
has been well-nigh the sole art, by which the mightiest emperors and
the greatest kings have extended their dominions, and by consequence
their fame. Wherefore, if thou, to increase thy fame, wouldst fain
have slain me, 'twas nothing marvellous or strange, but wonted."
