The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing / Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Resolve is purpose--action, while--in truth--

I was but passive. But to see her once,

And feel that I was woven into her being,

Was then and still remains the self-same thing.

To live apart from her--oh, bitter thought!--

Were death; and after death--where'er we were--

'Twould there be death too. Say, then, is this love?

And doth the Templar love? A Christian loves

A Jewish maiden! Well, and what of that?

This is the holy land; holy to me,