Page:Wallenstein, a drama in 2 parts - Schiller (tr. Coleridge) (1800).djvu/115

 That all these thousands are here congregated To lead up the long dances at thy wedding? Thou see'st thy father's forehead full of thought, Thy mother's eye in tears: upon the balance Lies the great destiny of all our house. Leave now the puny wish, the girlish feeling, O thrust it far behind thee! Give thou proof, That thou'rt the daughter of the Mighty—his, Who where he moves creates the wonderful. Not to herself the woman must belong, Annex'd and bound to alien destinies. But she performs the best part, she the wisest, Who can transmute the alien into self, Meet and disarm necessity by choice; And what must be, take freely to her heart, And bear and foster it with mother's love.

Such ever was my lesson in the convent. I had no loves, no wishes, knew myself Only as his—his daughter—his, the Mighty! His fame, the echo of whose blast drove to me From the far distance, waken'd in my soul No other thought than this—I am appointed To offer myself up in passiveness to him.

That is thy fate. Mould thou thy wishes to it. I and thy mother gave thee the example.

My fate hath shewn me him, to whom behoves it That I should offer up myself. In gladness Him will I follow. COUN-