Preface.

If you are chosen by God the Lord
                  for this purpose,
Then the golden bough can by no means
                  escape you,
But if not, neither strength nor reason
                  will help you,
Nor will the sharpness of the iron
                  be applied in vain.
original: "Auch wird des Eisens Schärff vegebens angewandt" the text appears to contain a typographical error in the original German ("vegebens" for "vergebens"). The translation reflects the intended meaning of "in vain."