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Excerpt from Nathan Der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht in Fünf Aufzügen
To Elise Reimarus Lessin g wrote that he was going to try whether they would permit him to preach undis turbedly from his old pulpit, the stage. To his brother and Moses Mendelssohn he wrote that he had come upo'n the sketch of an old play made by him years ago, and that he was going to finish it in order to play a better joke upon the theologians with this play than he could with ten Fragments more. His friends naturally expected something very severe and satirical, until he undeceived them. 'nathan' has a twofold connection with the theological quarrels. Lessing had attacked his enemies most keenly and mercilessly. Now he heaped coals of fire upon their heads by writing a work that breathes the spirit of toleration and love throughout a strange revenge! Not that it was looked upon in that light, except by a very few. Again, on account of his disinterested love of the truth and of fair play, exhibited during the controversies, Lessin g was in danger of losing his position and livelihood. A note of three hundred thalers became due, and he must have money. Therefore he wrote Nathan,' and published it bv' subscription.
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