Memoirs of Christina, Queen of Sweden, Volume 2

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Hurst and Blackett, 1863 - Sweden
 

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Page 2 - There is, as the Apostle has remarked, a way to strength through weakness. " Let me then be the most feeble creature alive, as long as that feebleness serves to invigorate the energies of my rational and immortal spirit ; as long as in that obscurity in which I am enveloped, the light of the Divine presence more clearly shines ; then, in proportion as I am weak, I shall be invincibly strong — and in proportion as I am blind, I shall more clearly see.
Page 2 - Alas ! for him who insults me, who maligns and merits public execration ! For the divine law not only shields me from injury, but almost renders me too sacred to attack ; not indeed so much from the privation of my sight, as from the overshadowing of those heavenly wings which seem to have occasioned this obscurity ; and which, when occasioned, he is wont to illuminate with an interior light, more precious and more pure.
Page 5 - I lay no claim,) that, when the critical exigencies of my country demanded that I should undertake the arduous and invidious task of impugning the rights of kings, I should meet with so illustrious, so truly a royal evidence to my integrity, and to this truth, that I had not written a word against kings, but only against tyrants, the spots and the pests of royalty...
Page 71 - Perseverance, dear my lord, Keeps honour bright: To have done, is to hang Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail In monumental mockery. Take the instant way For honour travels in a strait so narrow, W'here one but goes abreast: keep then the path; For emulation hath a thousand sons, That one by one pursue: If you give way, Or...
Page 2 - I may thus be perfected by feebleness, and irradiated by obscurity ! And, indeed, in my blindness, I enjoy in no inconsiderable degree the favor of the Deity, who regards me with more tenderness and compassion in proportion as I am able to behold nothing but himself.
Page 186 - ... about as tall as Madame de Cominges, but her figure is fuller and broader ; her arm is handsome, her hand white and well made, but more like that of a man than a woman ; one shoulder a little higher than the other, which defect she conceals by the turn of her dress, her walk, and her gestures, so that one might make a bet about it. Her face is large without being faulty; all her features cast in the same mould, and strongly marked ; her nose...
Page 1 - But, if the choice were necessary, I would, sir, prefer my blindness to yours ; yours is a cloud spread over the mind, which darkens both the light of reason and of conscience ; mine keeps from my view only the...
Page 103 - There were no speeches nor songs,' he says, ' men acting men's parts, and women the women's, with variety of representations and dances. The whole design was to show the vanity and folly of all professions and worldly things, lively represented by the exact properties and mute actions, genteelly, without the least offence or scandal.
Page 149 - I pray you to think better on't, and keep your crown on your head ; then you will keep your own honour and our peace ; but if you lay it down, in my conscience, you will endanger all. Continue in your gears, good madam, and be the fore-horse as long as you live, and we will help you the best we can to bear your burden.
Page 97 - This, and her being covered and rising from her seat, caused Whitelocke to know her to be the Queen, which otherwise had not been easy to be discerned, her habit being of plain grey stuff; her petticoat reached to the ground, over that a jacket such as men wear, of the same stuff, reaching to her knees ; on her left side, tied with crimson ribbon, she wore the jewel of the Order of Amaranta ; her cuffs ruffled a la mode; no gorget or band, but a black scarf about her neck, tied before with a black...

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