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commend the envy which thou bearest to the vertue of Nathan： because
if there were many more such men； the world that is now wretched and
miserable； would become good and conformable。 As for the determination
which thou hast disclosed to mee； I have sealed it up secretly in my
soule： wherein I can better give thee counsell； then any especiall
helpe or furtherance： and the course which I would have thee to
observe； followeth thus in few words。
This window； which we now looke forth at； sheweth thee a smal wood
or thicket of trees； being litle more then the quarter of a miles
distance hence； whereto Nathan usually walketh every morning； and
there continueth time long enough： there maist thou very easily meet
him； and do whatsoever thou intendest to him。 If thou kilst him；
because thou maist with safety returne home unto thine owne abiding；
take not the same way which guided thee thither； but another； lying on
the left hand； and directing speedily out of the wood； as being not so
much haunted as the other； but rather free from all resort； and surest
for visiting thine owne countrey； after such a dismall deed is done。
When Mithridanes had receyved this instruction； and Nathan was
departed from him； hee secretly gave intelligence to his men； （who
likewise were lodged； as welcom strangers； in the same house） at
what place they should stay for him the next morning。 Night being
passed over； and Nathan risen； his heart altred not a jot from his
counsel given to Mithridanes； much lesse changed from anie part
thereof： but all alone by himselfe； walked on to the wood； the place
appointed for his death。 Mithridanes also being risen； taking his
Bow and Sword （for other weapons had he none） mounted on horsbacke；
and so came to the wood； where （somewhat farre off） hee espyed
Nathan walking； and no creature with him。 Dismounting from his
horse； he had resolved （before he would kill him） not onely to see；
but also to heare him speake： so stepping roughly to him； and taking
hold of the bonnet on his head； his face being then turned from him；
he sayde。 Old man； thou must dye。 Whereunto Nathan made no other
answer； but thus： Why then （belike） I have deserved it。
When Mithridanes heard him speake； and looked advisedly on his face；
he knew him immediately to be the same man； that had entertained him
so lovingly； conversed with him so familiarly； and counselled him so
faithfully： all which overcomming his former fury； his harsh nature
became meerly confounded with shame： So throwing downe his drawne
sword； which he held readily prepared for the deede： he prostrated
himselfe at Nathans feet； and in teares； spake in this manner。 Now
do I manifestly know （most loving Father） your admired bounty and
liberalitie； considering； with what industrious providence； you made
the meanes for your comming hither； prodigally to bestow your life
on me； which I have no right unto； although you were so willing to
part with it。 But those high and supreame powers； more carefull of
my dutie； then I my selfe： even at the very instant； and when it was
most needfull； opened the eyes of my better understanding； which
internall envy had closed up before。 And therefore； looke how much you
have bin forward to pleasure me； so much the more shame and
punishment； I confesse my heinous transgression hath justly
deserved： take therefore on me （if you please） such revenge； as you
thinke （in justice） answerable to my sin。
Nathan lovingly raised Mithridanes from the ground； then kissing his
cheeke； and tenderly embracing him； he said。 Sonne； thou needest not
to aske； much less to obtaine pardon； for any enterprise of thine；
which thou canst not yet terme to be good or bad： because thou
soughtest not to bereave me of my life； for any hatred thou barest me；
but onely in coveting to be reputed the Woorthier man。 Take then
this assurance of me； and beleeve it constantly； that there is no
man living； whom I love and honour； as I do thee： considering the
greatnesse of thy minde； which consisteth not in the heaping up of
money； as wretched and miserable Worldlings make it their onely
felicity； but； contending in bounty to spend what is thine； didst hold
it for no shame to kil me； thereby to make thy selfe so much the
more worthily famous。
Nor is it any matter to be wondred at； in regard that Emperors；
and the greatest Kings； hadde never made such extendure of their
Dominions； and consequently of their renowne； by any other Art； then
killing； yet not one man onely； as thou wouldst have done： but
infinite numbers； burning whole Countries； and making desolate huge
Townes and Cities； onely to enlarge their dominion； and further
spreading of their fame。 Wherefore； if for the increasing of thine
owne renowne； thou wast desirous of my death： it is no matter of
novelty； and therefore deserving the lesse mervaile； seeing men are
slaine daily； and all for one purpose or other。
Mithridanes； excusing no further his malevolent deliberation； but
rather commending the honest defence； which Nathan made on his
behalfe； proceeded so farre in after discoursing； as to tel him
plainely； that it did wondrously amaze him； how he durst come to the
fatall appointed place； himselfe having so exactly plotted and
contrived his owne death： whereunto Nathan returned this aunswere。
I would not have thee Mithridanes； to wonder at my counsel or
determination； because； since age hath made mee Maister of mine owne
will； and I resolved to doe that； wherein thou hast begun to follow
me： never came any man to mee； whom I did not content （if I could）
in any thing he demanded of me。 It was thy fortune to come for my
life； which when I saw thee so desirous to have it； I resolved
immediately to bestow it on thee： and so much the rather； because thou
shouldst not be the onely man； that ever departed hence； without
enjoying whatsoever hee demanded。 And； to the end thou mightst the
more assuredly have it； I gave thee that advice； least by not enjoying
mine； thou shouldest chance to loose thine owne。 I have had the use of
it full fourescore yeares； with the consummation of all my delights
and pleasures： and well I know； that according to the course of Nature
（as it fares with other men； and generally all things else） it
cannot bee long before it must leave mee。
Wherefore； I hold it much better for me to give it away freely； as I
have alwayes done my goods and treasure； then bee curious in keeping
it； and suffer it to be taken from me （whether I will or no） by
Nature。 A small gift it is； if time make me up the full summe of an
hundred yeares： how miserable is it then； to stand beholding but for
foure or five； and all of them vexation too？ Take it then I intreate
thee； if thou wilt have it； for I never met with any man before （but
thy selfe） that di desire it； nor （perhaps） shall finde any other to
request it： for the longer I keepe it； the worse it wil be esteemed：
and before it grow contemptible； take it I pray thee。
Mithridanes； being exceedingly confounded with shame； bashfully
sayde： Fortune fore…fend； that I should take away a thing so
precious as your life is； or once to have so vile a thought of it as
lately I had； but rather then I would diminish one day thereof； I
could wish； that my time might more amply enlarge it。 Forthwith
aunswered Nathan； saying。 Wouldst thou （if thou couldst） shorten thine
owne dayes； onely to lengthen mine？ Why then thou wouldest have me
to do that to thee； which （as yet） I never did unto any man； namely；
robbe thee； to enrich my selfe。 I will enstruct thee in a much
better course； if thou wilt be advised by mee。 Lusty and young； as now
thou art； thou shalt dwell heere in my house； and be called by the
name of Nathan。 Aged； and spent with yeares； as thou seest I am； I
will goe live in thy house； and bee called by the name of Mithridanes。
So； both the name and place shall illustrate thy Glorie； and I live
contentedly； without the very least thought of envie。
Deare Father； answered Mithridanes； if I knew so well howe to direct
mine owne actions； as you doe； and alwayes have done； I would gladly
accept your most liberall offer： but because I plainlie perceive； that
my very bes