Scene 12

Scene 12The interior of the earth. Enormous crystal formations, with streams like lava breaking through them. The whole scene is faintly luminous, transparent in some parts, and with the light shining through from behind in others. Above are red flames which appear to be being pressed downward from the roof. (One hand of Ahriman is a claw and he has a cloven hoof. This is to show the audience that his identity as the Devil is being discovered. Fox has a cloven hoof.)Ahriman(at first alone):Now living matter falleth from aboveWhich I must use. It is the stuff whereofAre demons made, and it is flowing freeWithin the world of form. A man doth striveTo tear from out his being utterlyThe spirit-substance he received from me.My influence hath been till now quite good,But now he is too near the mystic throngWhom Benedictus through his wisdom’s lightHath lent the power enabling them to faceAwakening at the cosmic midnight hour.O’er him hath Lucifer his influence cast:So that Maria and Johannes couldRelease themselves from out his sphere of light.Henceforth to Strader I must closely cling.Once he is mine I’ll catch the others too.Johannes wore himself quite dull and bluntAgainst my shadow;—now he knows me well.Through Strader only can I get at him.And in Maria’s case it is the same;Yet Strader will perhaps not recognizeThe spirit-tangle, which to human eyesAppears as nature, is in fact naught elseThan mine own personal spirit-property.And so he may conceive that energyAnd matter blindly struggle there where I,Denying spirit, fashion spirit-things.’Tis true the rest have talked to him a lotAbout my being and about my realm;And yet, methinks, I have not lost him quite.He will forget that Benedictus sentHim hither unto me, but half-awake,That his belief may be dispelled that IAm but a woven thought in human brains.Yet I shall need some earthly help if IMust bring him here before it is too late.Now therefore I will call upon a soulWhich in its cleverness considers meTo be naught else than some dull foolish clown.He serves me on and off, when I have need.(Ahriman goes off and returns with the soul of Fox, whose figure is a sort of copy of his own. On entering he takes a bandage from the eyes of this person representing the soul.)Ahriman:(Aside)Earth-knowledge he must leave here at the door.For he must never understand the thingsWhich here he learns, since he is honest still;No effort would he make, if he once knewThe purpose with which I now influence him.He must be able later to forget.(To Fox)Dost thou know doctor Strader, who serves me?The Soul of Fox:He drifts about upon the star of Earth;He would build learned prattle into life;And yet each wind of life will knock him down.He listens eagerly to mystic prigs,And is already stifled by their fog;He now doth try to blind poor Hilary,Whose friend, however, keeps him well in hand,Since all these braggart spirit-whisperingsWould otherwise his business quite destroy.Ahriman:(Aside)Such talk as this is not what I require.I now have need of Strader—whilst this manCan still have perfect faith in his own self;Then Benedictus far too easilyWill make his wisdom known amongst mankind.The friend of Hilary might be of useTo Lucifer; I must act otherwise—Through Strader I must Benedictus harm.For he and all his pupils can achieveNothing at all, hath he not Strader’s aid.Mine enemies of course still have their powers,And after Strader’s death he will be theirs.But if while still on earth his soul can beDeceived about itself, my gain will beThat Benedictus can no longer useHim as the leader of his coach’s team.Now in fate’s book I have already readThat Strader’s span of life is nearly run.But Benedictus can not yet see this.My trusty knave, too crafty is thy wit,Who takest me for some dull foolish clown.(To Fox)So well thou reasonest that men attend.Go therefore and see Strader very soonTell him that his machine is ill-contrived;That ’tis not only unpropitious timesThat check fulfilment of his promises;But that his reasoning also is at fault.The Soul of Fox:For such a mission am I well equipped.For some time past I have done nothing elseBut think how I can unto Strader proveHow full of error his ambitions are.When once a man hath formed a clever schemeBy dint of many nights of earnest thoughtHe will with ease believe that ill-successIs due not to his thought but outward acts.And Strader’s case is surely pitiable;Had such a man as he shunned mystic snobs,And made fit use of his fine intellect,His great endowments surely would have borneMuch fruit and profit for humanity.Ahriman:Now see to it that thou art shrewdly armed.This is thy task: Thou art to undermineThe confidence of Strader in himself.No longer then will he desire to workWith Benedictus, who must henceforth restUpon himself and his own arguments.But these are not so pleasing to mankind,Who will be more opposed to them on earthThe more their inmost nature is disclosed.The Soul of Fox:I see already how I shall beginTo show to Strader where his thought hath failed.There is a flaw within his new machine,Though he cannot perceive it of himself.A veil of mystic darkness hinders him.But I, with my clear common sense, shall beOf much more use to him than mystic dreams.This for a long while hath been my desire;Yet knew I not how to accomplish it.At length a light is thrown athwart my path.Now must I think of all the argumentsWhich will make Strader realize the truth.(Ahriman leads out Fox’s soul and again blindfolds the individual portraying the soul before he is allowed to depart.)Ahriman(alone):He will be of great service unto me.The mystic light on earth doth burn me sore;I must work further there, but must not letThe mystics unto men my work reveal.(Theodora’s soul appears.)Theodora’s Soul:Thou mayest Strader reach; but none the lessI shall be by his side; and since we wereUnited on the radiant path of souls,We shall remain united wheresoe’erHe dwells on earth or in the spirit-realms.Ahriman:If she indeed forsakes him not, the whileHe still doth dwell on earth, I stand to loseMy battle; yet I shall not cease to hopeThat he may yet forget her ’ere the end.CurtainScene 13A large reception room in Hilary’s house. As the curtain rises Hilary and Romanus are in conversation.Hilary:I must with grief confess to thee, dear friend,That this fate’s tangle, which is forming hereWithin our circle, well-nigh crusheth me.On what can one rely, when nothing holds?The friends of Benedictus are by theeKept far from our endeavours; Strader, too,Is torn by bitter agonies of doubt.A man who, full of shrewdness and of hate,Hath oft opposed the mystic life and aims,Hath pointed out grave errors in his plansAnd shewn that his invention cannot work,And is not only stopped by outward checks.Life hath not brought me any ripened fruit;I longed for perfect deeds. And yet the thoughtsThat bring deeds unto ripeness never came.My soul was ever plagued by loneliness.By spirit-sight alone was I upborne.And yet;—in Strader’s case I was deceived.Romanus:I often felt as though some gruesome shapeWas pressing painfully upon my soulWhene’er thy words were in the course of lifeShown to be naught but errors and mistakes;That as the spirit-sight seemed to deceiveMy mystic master did this shape becomeWithin me and did set a feeling freeWhich now enables me to give thee light.Too blindly hast thou trusted spirit-sight;And so as error it appears to theeWhen it doth surely lead thee to the truth.In Strader’s case thy sight was true, despiteThe things that super-clever men hath shown.Hilary:Thy faith still doth not waver, and thou hastThe same opinion now of Strader’s work?Romanus:The reasons whereon I did build it upHave naught to do with Strader’s friends at allAnd still are valid, whether his machineProve itself true or faulty in design.Supposing he hath made an error; well,A man through error finds the way to truth.Hilary:The failure then doth not affect thee—theeTo whom life hath brought nothing but success?Romanus:Those who do not fear failure will succeed.It only needs an understanding eyeTo see what bearing mysticism hasUpon our case, and forthwith there appearsThe view that we should take of Strader’s work.He will come off victorious in the fightWhich flings the spirit-portals open wide;Undaunted by the watchman will he strideAcross the threshold of the spirit-land.My soul hath deeply realized the wordsWhich that stern Guardian of the threshold spoke.I feel him even now at Strader’s side.Whether he sees him, or toward him goesUnknowing, this indeed I cannot say;But I believe that I know Strader well.He will courageously make up his mindThat self-enlightenment must come through pain;The will will ever bear him companyWho bravely goes to meet what lies before,And, fortified by Hope’s strength-giving stream,Doth boldly face the pain which knowledge brings.Hilary:My friend, I thank thee for these mystic words.Oft have I heard them; now for the first timeI feel the secret meaning they enfold.The cosmic ways are hard to comprehend—My portion, my dear friend, it is to waitUntil the spirit points me out the wayWhich is appropriate unto my sight.(Exeunt left.)(Enter Capesius and Felix Balde, shown in by the Secretary, on right.)Secretary:I think that Benedictus will returnSometime today from off his journey; butHe is not here at present; if thou com’stAgain tomorrow thou shouldst find him here.Felix Balde:Can we then have a talk with Hilary?Secretary:I’ll go and ask him now to come to you.(Exit.)Felix Balde:A vision of deep import hast thou seen.Couldst thou not tell it to me o’er again?One cannot apprehend such things arightTill they are fully grasped by spirit-sight.Capesius:It came this morning, when I thought myselfWrapt in the stillness of the mystic trance.My senses slept, and with them memory.To spirit things alone was I alive.At first I saw naught but familiar sights.Then Strader’s soul came clearly into viewBefore mine inner eye, and for a whileStood silent, so that I had ample timeTo make sure I was consciously awake.But soon I also heard him clearly say‘Abandon not the real true mystic mood,’As if the sound came from his inmost soul.He then continued, with sharp emphasis:‘To strive for naught; but just to live in peace:Expectancy the soul’s whole inner life,Such is the mystic mood. And of itselfIt wakes, unsought amid the stream of life,Whene’er a human soul is rightly strongAnd seeks the spirit with all-powerful thought.This mood comes often in our stillest hoursYet also in the heat of action; thenIt cometh lest the soul may thoughtless loseThe tender sight of spirit-happenings.’Felix Balde:Like to the very echo of my wordsThis utt’rance sounds,—yet not quite what I meant.Capesius:On close consideration one might findThe opposite of thine own words therein,—And more distinctly doth this fact appearWhen we give heed to this his further speech‘Whoever falsely wakes the mystic moodIt leads his inmost soul but to himselfAnd weaves betwixt himself and realms of lightThe dark veil of his own soul’s enterprise.If this thou wouldst through mysticism seekMystic illusion will destroy thy life.’Felix Balde:This can be nothing else than words of mineBy Strader’s spirit-views transformed; in theeThey echo as a grievous mystic fault.Capesius:Moreover Strader’s final words were these:‘A man can not attain the spirit-worldBy seeking to unlock the gates himself.Truth doth not sound within the soul of himWho only seeks a mood for many years.’(Philia appears, perceptible only to Capesius; Felix Balde shows that he does not comprehend what follows.)Philia:Capesius, if soon thou markest wellWhat in thy seeking comes to thee unsought,’Twill strengthen thee with many-coloured light;In pictured being it will pierce thee throughSince thy soul-forces show it unto thee.That which thy self’s sun-nature rays on theeBy Saturn’s ripened wisdom will be dulled;Then to thy vision will there be disclosedThat which in earth-life thou canst comprehend.Then I will lead thee to the guardianWho on the spirit-threshold keeps his watch.Felix Balde:From circles which I know not issue words.Their sound awakes no being full of lightAnd so they are not fully real to me.Capesius:The hint which Philia hath given meShall be my guide so that from this time forthIn spirit too may be revealed what IAlready as a man upon the earth,Can find within the circuit of my life.CurtainScene 14The same. Hilary’s wife in conversation with the Manager.Hilary’s wife:That fate itself doth not desire the deedWhich yet my husband thinks imperative,Seems likely when one views the tangled threadsThis power doth weave to form the knot in life,Which holds us here in its compelling bonds.Manager:A knot of fate indeed, which truly seemsUnable to be loosed by human sense—And so, I take it, it must needs be cut.I see no other possibilityThan that the strand which links thy husband’s lifeTo mine must now at last be cut in twain.Hilary’s wife:What! Part from thee!—My husband never will.’Twould go against the spirit of the houseWhich by his own dear father was inspiredAnd which the son will faithfully uphold.Manager:But hath he not already broken faith?The aims that Hilary hath now in viewCan surely not be found along the roadHis father’s spirit ever walked upon.Hilary’s wife:My husband’s happiness in life now hangsOn the successful issue of these aims.I saw the transformation of his soulAs soon as, like a lightning flash, the thoughtIllumined him. He had found hithertoNothing in life but sad soul-loneliness,A feeling which he was at pains to hideE’en from the circle of his closest friendsBut which consumed him inwardly the more.Till then he deemed himself of no accountBecause thoughts would not spring up in his soulWhich seemed to him to be of use in life.But when this plan of mystic enterpriseThen stood before his soul, he grew quite young,He was another man, a happy man;This aim first gave to him a worth in life.That thou couldst ere oppose him in this workWas inconceivable till it occurred.He felt the blow more keenly than aught elseThat in his life hath yet befallen him.Couldst thou but know the pain that thou hast caused,Thou wouldst not surely be so harsh with him.Manager:I feel as if my manhood would be lostIf I should set myself to go againstMine own convictions.—I shall find it hardTo do my work with Strader at my side.Yet I decided I would bear this loadTo help Romanus, whom I understandSince he concerning Strader spake with me.What he explained became the starting-pointFor me of mine own spirit-pupilship.There was a power that flamed forth from his wordsAnd entered actively within my soul;I never yet had felt it so before.His counsel is most precious, though as yetI cannot understand and follow it;Romanus only cares for Strader now;He thinks the other mystics by their shareNot only are a hindrance to the workBut also are a danger to themselves.For his opinion I have such regardThat I must now believe the following:If Strader cannot find a way to workWithout his friends, ’twill be a sign of fate.A sign that with these friends he must abide,And only later fashion faculties,Through mystic striving for some outward work.The fact that recently he hath becomeMore closely knit to them than formerly,Despite a slight estrangement for a while,Makes me believe that he will find his way,Lies in this state of things, though it involvesA failure, for the present, of his aims.Hilary’s wife:Thou see’st the man with only that much sightWith which Romanus hath entrusted thee,Thou shouldst gaze on him with unbiased eye.He can so steep himself in spirit-lifeThat he appears quite sundered from the earth.Then spirit forms his whole environmentAnd Theodora liveth then for him.In speaking with him it appears as ifShe too were present. Many mystics canExpress the spirit-message in such wordsAs bring conviction after careful thought;But Strader’s very speech hath this same power.One sees that he sets little store uponMere inward spirit-life that is contentWith feelings only; the explorer’s zealDoth ever prove his guide in mystic life.And so his mystic aims do not destroyHis sense for scientific schemes which seemBoth practical and useful for this life.Try to perceive this faculty in him,And through him also learn another thing,How one’s own personal judgment of one’s friendsIs of more value than another man’sSuch as Romanus hath acquired of him.Manager:In such a case as this, so far removedFrom all the vista of my usual thought,The judgment of Romanus seems to meSome solid ground to stand on. If, myself,I enter realms to mysticism near,I surely need such guidance as indeedA man can only give me who can winMy confidence by so much of himselfAs I myself can fully comprehend.(Enter the Secretary.)You seem upset, my friend; what hath occurred?Secretary(hesitatingly):Good doctor Strader died a few hours since.Manager:Died?—Strader?Hilary’s wife:What. Not Strader dead?—Where nowIs Hilary?Secretary:Is Hilary?He is in his own room.He seemed quite stricken when the messengerFirst brought the news to him from Strader’s house.(Exit Hilary’s wife, followed by the Secretary.)Manager(alone):Dead—Strader!—Can this really be the truth?The spirit-sleep of which I heard so muchNow toucheth me.—The fate which here doth guideThe threads of life wears now a serious face.O little soul of mine, what mighty handHath now laid hold upon thy thread of fate,And given it a part within this knot.‘But that which must will surely come to pass!’Why is it that these words have never leftMy mind since Strader spake them long agoWhen talking with myself and Hilary?—As if they reached him from another worldSo did they sound;—he spake as if entranced;—What is to come to pass?—Right well I knowThe spirit-world laid hands upon me then.Within those words there sounds the spirit-speech—Sounds earnest—; how can I its weaving learn?CurtainScene 15The same. Doctor Strader’s nurse is sitting there waiting. Enter the Secretary.Secretary:Soon Benedictus will, I hope, appearAnd hear himself the message thou dost bring:He went a journey and hath just returned.A great man surely doctor Strader was.At first I did not have much confidenceIn Hilary’s tremendous plan of work;But, as I frequently was in the roomWhilst Strader was engaged in showing himWhat further needs his plan of work involved,All my objections swiftly lost their force.Aye full of spirit, with the keenest senseFor all things possible and purposeful,He yet was ever heedful that the endShould issue reasonably from the work;Ne’er would he anything for granted take.He held himself quite as a mystic should;As people who are anxious to beholdA lovely view from some tall mountain-crestKeep plodding on till they have reached the topNor try to paint the picture in advance.Nurse:A man of lofty spirit and great giftsThou knewest hard at work in active life.I, in the short time it was given meTo render earth’s last services to himLearned to admire his loftiness of soul.A sweet soul, that, except for seven yearsOf utmost bliss, walked aye through life alone.Their wisdom mystics offered him,—but loveWas all his need;—his lust for outward deedsWas naught but—love, which sought for many formsOf life in which to manifest itself.That which this soul sought on the mystic pathWas needful to its being’s noble fire,As sleep is to the body after toil.Secretary:In him the mystic wisdom was the sourceOf outward deeds as well; for all his workWas ever fully steeped in its ideals.Nurse:Because in him love was a natural law,And he had to unite himself in soulWith all the aspirations of his life;E’en his last thoughts were still about the workTo which in love he did devote himself—As people part from beings whom they loveSo Strader’s soul reluctantly did leaveThe work on earth through which his love had poured.Secretary:He lived in spirit with full consciousness:And Theodora was with him as ayeShe was in life—true mystic souls feel thus.Nurse:Because his loneliness knit him to her,She stood before him still in death. By herHe felt that he was called to spirit-worldsTo finish there his incompleted task.For Benedictus just before his deathHe wrote a message which I now have comeTo give into the mystic leader’s hands.So must the life of this our time on earthUnfold itself yet further, full of doubt;—But brightened by sun-beings such as he,From whom a wider number may receive,Like planets, light-rays which awaken life.(Enter Benedictus left. Exit Secretary right.)Nurse:Before his strength departed, Strader wroteThese few lines for thee. I have come to bringHis message to his faithful mystic friend.Benedictus:And as he set this message down for meWhat were the themes that his soul dwelt upon?Nurse:At first the latest of his plans in lifeLived in his thought; then Theodora cameTo join him in the spirit; feeling thisHis soul did gently leave its body’s sheath.Benedictus:My thanks to thee, thou faithful soul, for allThy services to him whilst yet on earth.(Exit nurse. Benedictus reads Strader’s last words.)Benedictus:(reading)‘My friend, when I perceived my strength was spentAnd saw that opposition to my workDid not alone from outward sources rise,But that the inner flaws of my own thoughtWere obstacles to check my plan’s success,Once more I saw that vision which I toldNot long ago to thee. But yet this timeThe vision ended otherwise. No moreWas Ahriman my foe; a spirit stoodThere, in his stead, whom I could clearly feelTo represent my own erroneous thought.And then did I remember thine own wordsAbout the strengthening mine own soul’s powers.But thereupon the spirit disappeared.’—There are a few more words,—but I cannotDecipher them—a chaos covers themBy weaving in a veil of active thought.(Ahriman appears; Benedictus sees him.)(There is no longer any illusion about Ahriman. His form is much more inhuman; his right arm is bone, his right hand a claw, and he has a cloven hoof.)Benedictus:Who art thou, who dost take a shadowed life,From out my chaos, in the soul’s domain?Ahriman(aside):He sees me, but as yet he knows me not.And so he will not cause me fearful painIf I should try to labour by his side.(To Benedictus.)I can declare to thee what Strader meansTo tell thee further for thy personal good.And also for thy pupil’s mystic path.Benedictus:My mystic group will always know itselfTo be in touch with Strader’s soul, althoughThe life of sense no longer forms a bridge.But when a spirit-messenger draws nearAnd manifests to us from his own worlds,Then he must needs first win our confidence.This he can only do if he appearsWithout disguise unto our spirit-gaze.Ahriman:Thou art but striving for self-consciousness:So stranger spirit-beings, who might wishTo render thee a service, are compelledTo show themselves as parts of thine own self,If they may only help thee undisguised.Benedictus:Whoe’er thou art ’tis sure thou only canstServe Good when thou dost strive not for thyself,When thou dost lose thyself in human thoughtTo rise newborn within the cosmic life.Ahriman:(aside)Now is it time for me to haste awayFrom his environment, for whensoe’erHis sight can think me as I really am,He will commence to fashion in his thoughtPart of the power which slowly killeth me.(Ahriman disappears.)Benedictus:Now only do I see ’tis Ahriman,Who flees himself, but fashions out of thoughtA knowledge of his being in myself.His aim is to confuse the thought of manBecause therein, misled by error old,He seeks the source of all his sufferings.As yet he knows not that the only wayFor him to find release in future isTo find himself reflected in this thought.And so he shows himself to men indeed,But not as he doth feel he is in truth.Himself revealing, and concealing too,He sought to utilize in his own wayA favourable hour in Strader’s case.Through him he hoped to strike his friends as well;But he will not be able to concealHis nature from my mystic pupils now.He shall be present in their waking thoughtIf he holds sway within their inner sight.So shall they learn to know his many forms,Which would disguise him whensoe’er he mustReveal himself unto the souls of men.But thou, sun-ripened soul of Strader, thouWho by the strengthening of thy spirit-powersDidst drive the Lord of Error into flightThou shalt, as spirit-star, shine on thy friends.Thy light shall henceforth ever penetrateInto Maria’s and Johannes’ selves;Through thee will they be able to equipThemselves more strongly for their spirit-work,That so they may with powerful thought revealThemselves as proof of soul-enlightenment,E’en at such times as dusky Ahriman,By clouding wisdom, seeks to spread the nightOf Chaos o’er full-wakened spirit-sight.Curtain

The interior of the earth. Enormous crystal formations, with streams like lava breaking through them. The whole scene is faintly luminous, transparent in some parts, and with the light shining through from behind in others. Above are red flames which appear to be being pressed downward from the roof. (One hand of Ahriman is a claw and he has a cloven hoof. This is to show the audience that his identity as the Devil is being discovered. Fox has a cloven hoof.)

Ahriman(at first alone):Now living matter falleth from aboveWhich I must use. It is the stuff whereofAre demons made, and it is flowing freeWithin the world of form. A man doth striveTo tear from out his being utterlyThe spirit-substance he received from me.My influence hath been till now quite good,But now he is too near the mystic throngWhom Benedictus through his wisdom’s lightHath lent the power enabling them to faceAwakening at the cosmic midnight hour.O’er him hath Lucifer his influence cast:So that Maria and Johannes couldRelease themselves from out his sphere of light.Henceforth to Strader I must closely cling.Once he is mine I’ll catch the others too.Johannes wore himself quite dull and bluntAgainst my shadow;—now he knows me well.Through Strader only can I get at him.And in Maria’s case it is the same;Yet Strader will perhaps not recognizeThe spirit-tangle, which to human eyesAppears as nature, is in fact naught elseThan mine own personal spirit-property.And so he may conceive that energyAnd matter blindly struggle there where I,Denying spirit, fashion spirit-things.’Tis true the rest have talked to him a lotAbout my being and about my realm;And yet, methinks, I have not lost him quite.He will forget that Benedictus sentHim hither unto me, but half-awake,That his belief may be dispelled that IAm but a woven thought in human brains.Yet I shall need some earthly help if IMust bring him here before it is too late.Now therefore I will call upon a soulWhich in its cleverness considers meTo be naught else than some dull foolish clown.He serves me on and off, when I have need.

Ahriman(at first alone):

Now living matter falleth from above

Which I must use. It is the stuff whereof

Are demons made, and it is flowing free

Within the world of form. A man doth strive

To tear from out his being utterly

The spirit-substance he received from me.

My influence hath been till now quite good,

But now he is too near the mystic throng

Whom Benedictus through his wisdom’s light

Hath lent the power enabling them to face

Awakening at the cosmic midnight hour.

O’er him hath Lucifer his influence cast:

So that Maria and Johannes could

Release themselves from out his sphere of light.

Henceforth to Strader I must closely cling.

Once he is mine I’ll catch the others too.

Johannes wore himself quite dull and blunt

Against my shadow;—now he knows me well.

Through Strader only can I get at him.

And in Maria’s case it is the same;

Yet Strader will perhaps not recognize

The spirit-tangle, which to human eyes

Appears as nature, is in fact naught else

Than mine own personal spirit-property.

And so he may conceive that energy

And matter blindly struggle there where I,

Denying spirit, fashion spirit-things.

’Tis true the rest have talked to him a lot

About my being and about my realm;

And yet, methinks, I have not lost him quite.

He will forget that Benedictus sent

Him hither unto me, but half-awake,

That his belief may be dispelled that I

Am but a woven thought in human brains.

Yet I shall need some earthly help if I

Must bring him here before it is too late.

Now therefore I will call upon a soul

Which in its cleverness considers me

To be naught else than some dull foolish clown.

He serves me on and off, when I have need.

(Ahriman goes off and returns with the soul of Fox, whose figure is a sort of copy of his own. On entering he takes a bandage from the eyes of this person representing the soul.)

Ahriman:(Aside)Earth-knowledge he must leave here at the door.For he must never understand the thingsWhich here he learns, since he is honest still;No effort would he make, if he once knewThe purpose with which I now influence him.He must be able later to forget.

Ahriman:(Aside)

Earth-knowledge he must leave here at the door.

For he must never understand the things

Which here he learns, since he is honest still;

No effort would he make, if he once knew

The purpose with which I now influence him.

He must be able later to forget.

(To Fox)

Dost thou know doctor Strader, who serves me?

The Soul of Fox:He drifts about upon the star of Earth;He would build learned prattle into life;And yet each wind of life will knock him down.He listens eagerly to mystic prigs,And is already stifled by their fog;He now doth try to blind poor Hilary,Whose friend, however, keeps him well in hand,Since all these braggart spirit-whisperingsWould otherwise his business quite destroy.

The Soul of Fox:

He drifts about upon the star of Earth;

He would build learned prattle into life;

And yet each wind of life will knock him down.

He listens eagerly to mystic prigs,

And is already stifled by their fog;

He now doth try to blind poor Hilary,

Whose friend, however, keeps him well in hand,

Since all these braggart spirit-whisperings

Would otherwise his business quite destroy.

Ahriman:(Aside)Such talk as this is not what I require.I now have need of Strader—whilst this manCan still have perfect faith in his own self;Then Benedictus far too easilyWill make his wisdom known amongst mankind.The friend of Hilary might be of useTo Lucifer; I must act otherwise—Through Strader I must Benedictus harm.For he and all his pupils can achieveNothing at all, hath he not Strader’s aid.Mine enemies of course still have their powers,And after Strader’s death he will be theirs.But if while still on earth his soul can beDeceived about itself, my gain will beThat Benedictus can no longer useHim as the leader of his coach’s team.Now in fate’s book I have already readThat Strader’s span of life is nearly run.But Benedictus can not yet see this.My trusty knave, too crafty is thy wit,Who takest me for some dull foolish clown.

Ahriman:(Aside)

Such talk as this is not what I require.

I now have need of Strader—whilst this man

Can still have perfect faith in his own self;

Then Benedictus far too easily

Will make his wisdom known amongst mankind.

The friend of Hilary might be of use

To Lucifer; I must act otherwise—

Through Strader I must Benedictus harm.

For he and all his pupils can achieve

Nothing at all, hath he not Strader’s aid.

Mine enemies of course still have their powers,

And after Strader’s death he will be theirs.

But if while still on earth his soul can be

Deceived about itself, my gain will be

That Benedictus can no longer use

Him as the leader of his coach’s team.

Now in fate’s book I have already read

That Strader’s span of life is nearly run.

But Benedictus can not yet see this.

My trusty knave, too crafty is thy wit,

Who takest me for some dull foolish clown.

(To Fox)

So well thou reasonest that men attend.Go therefore and see Strader very soonTell him that his machine is ill-contrived;That ’tis not only unpropitious timesThat check fulfilment of his promises;But that his reasoning also is at fault.

So well thou reasonest that men attend.

Go therefore and see Strader very soon

Tell him that his machine is ill-contrived;

That ’tis not only unpropitious times

That check fulfilment of his promises;

But that his reasoning also is at fault.

The Soul of Fox:For such a mission am I well equipped.For some time past I have done nothing elseBut think how I can unto Strader proveHow full of error his ambitions are.When once a man hath formed a clever schemeBy dint of many nights of earnest thoughtHe will with ease believe that ill-successIs due not to his thought but outward acts.And Strader’s case is surely pitiable;Had such a man as he shunned mystic snobs,And made fit use of his fine intellect,His great endowments surely would have borneMuch fruit and profit for humanity.

The Soul of Fox:

For such a mission am I well equipped.

For some time past I have done nothing else

But think how I can unto Strader prove

How full of error his ambitions are.

When once a man hath formed a clever scheme

By dint of many nights of earnest thought

He will with ease believe that ill-success

Is due not to his thought but outward acts.

And Strader’s case is surely pitiable;

Had such a man as he shunned mystic snobs,

And made fit use of his fine intellect,

His great endowments surely would have borne

Much fruit and profit for humanity.

Ahriman:Now see to it that thou art shrewdly armed.This is thy task: Thou art to undermineThe confidence of Strader in himself.No longer then will he desire to workWith Benedictus, who must henceforth restUpon himself and his own arguments.But these are not so pleasing to mankind,Who will be more opposed to them on earthThe more their inmost nature is disclosed.

Ahriman:

Now see to it that thou art shrewdly armed.

This is thy task: Thou art to undermine

The confidence of Strader in himself.

No longer then will he desire to work

With Benedictus, who must henceforth rest

Upon himself and his own arguments.

But these are not so pleasing to mankind,

Who will be more opposed to them on earth

The more their inmost nature is disclosed.

The Soul of Fox:I see already how I shall beginTo show to Strader where his thought hath failed.There is a flaw within his new machine,Though he cannot perceive it of himself.A veil of mystic darkness hinders him.But I, with my clear common sense, shall beOf much more use to him than mystic dreams.This for a long while hath been my desire;Yet knew I not how to accomplish it.At length a light is thrown athwart my path.Now must I think of all the argumentsWhich will make Strader realize the truth.

The Soul of Fox:

I see already how I shall begin

To show to Strader where his thought hath failed.

There is a flaw within his new machine,

Though he cannot perceive it of himself.

A veil of mystic darkness hinders him.

But I, with my clear common sense, shall be

Of much more use to him than mystic dreams.

This for a long while hath been my desire;

Yet knew I not how to accomplish it.

At length a light is thrown athwart my path.

Now must I think of all the arguments

Which will make Strader realize the truth.

(Ahriman leads out Fox’s soul and again blindfolds the individual portraying the soul before he is allowed to depart.)

Ahriman(alone):He will be of great service unto me.The mystic light on earth doth burn me sore;I must work further there, but must not letThe mystics unto men my work reveal.

Ahriman(alone):

He will be of great service unto me.

The mystic light on earth doth burn me sore;

I must work further there, but must not let

The mystics unto men my work reveal.

(Theodora’s soul appears.)

Theodora’s Soul:Thou mayest Strader reach; but none the lessI shall be by his side; and since we wereUnited on the radiant path of souls,We shall remain united wheresoe’erHe dwells on earth or in the spirit-realms.

Theodora’s Soul:

Thou mayest Strader reach; but none the less

I shall be by his side; and since we were

United on the radiant path of souls,

We shall remain united wheresoe’er

He dwells on earth or in the spirit-realms.

Ahriman:If she indeed forsakes him not, the whileHe still doth dwell on earth, I stand to loseMy battle; yet I shall not cease to hopeThat he may yet forget her ’ere the end.

Ahriman:

If she indeed forsakes him not, the while

He still doth dwell on earth, I stand to lose

My battle; yet I shall not cease to hope

That he may yet forget her ’ere the end.

Curtain

Scene 13A large reception room in Hilary’s house. As the curtain rises Hilary and Romanus are in conversation.Hilary:I must with grief confess to thee, dear friend,That this fate’s tangle, which is forming hereWithin our circle, well-nigh crusheth me.On what can one rely, when nothing holds?The friends of Benedictus are by theeKept far from our endeavours; Strader, too,Is torn by bitter agonies of doubt.A man who, full of shrewdness and of hate,Hath oft opposed the mystic life and aims,Hath pointed out grave errors in his plansAnd shewn that his invention cannot work,And is not only stopped by outward checks.Life hath not brought me any ripened fruit;I longed for perfect deeds. And yet the thoughtsThat bring deeds unto ripeness never came.My soul was ever plagued by loneliness.By spirit-sight alone was I upborne.And yet;—in Strader’s case I was deceived.Romanus:I often felt as though some gruesome shapeWas pressing painfully upon my soulWhene’er thy words were in the course of lifeShown to be naught but errors and mistakes;That as the spirit-sight seemed to deceiveMy mystic master did this shape becomeWithin me and did set a feeling freeWhich now enables me to give thee light.Too blindly hast thou trusted spirit-sight;And so as error it appears to theeWhen it doth surely lead thee to the truth.In Strader’s case thy sight was true, despiteThe things that super-clever men hath shown.Hilary:Thy faith still doth not waver, and thou hastThe same opinion now of Strader’s work?Romanus:The reasons whereon I did build it upHave naught to do with Strader’s friends at allAnd still are valid, whether his machineProve itself true or faulty in design.Supposing he hath made an error; well,A man through error finds the way to truth.Hilary:The failure then doth not affect thee—theeTo whom life hath brought nothing but success?Romanus:Those who do not fear failure will succeed.It only needs an understanding eyeTo see what bearing mysticism hasUpon our case, and forthwith there appearsThe view that we should take of Strader’s work.He will come off victorious in the fightWhich flings the spirit-portals open wide;Undaunted by the watchman will he strideAcross the threshold of the spirit-land.My soul hath deeply realized the wordsWhich that stern Guardian of the threshold spoke.I feel him even now at Strader’s side.Whether he sees him, or toward him goesUnknowing, this indeed I cannot say;But I believe that I know Strader well.He will courageously make up his mindThat self-enlightenment must come through pain;The will will ever bear him companyWho bravely goes to meet what lies before,And, fortified by Hope’s strength-giving stream,Doth boldly face the pain which knowledge brings.Hilary:My friend, I thank thee for these mystic words.Oft have I heard them; now for the first timeI feel the secret meaning they enfold.The cosmic ways are hard to comprehend—My portion, my dear friend, it is to waitUntil the spirit points me out the wayWhich is appropriate unto my sight.(Exeunt left.)(Enter Capesius and Felix Balde, shown in by the Secretary, on right.)Secretary:I think that Benedictus will returnSometime today from off his journey; butHe is not here at present; if thou com’stAgain tomorrow thou shouldst find him here.Felix Balde:Can we then have a talk with Hilary?Secretary:I’ll go and ask him now to come to you.(Exit.)Felix Balde:A vision of deep import hast thou seen.Couldst thou not tell it to me o’er again?One cannot apprehend such things arightTill they are fully grasped by spirit-sight.Capesius:It came this morning, when I thought myselfWrapt in the stillness of the mystic trance.My senses slept, and with them memory.To spirit things alone was I alive.At first I saw naught but familiar sights.Then Strader’s soul came clearly into viewBefore mine inner eye, and for a whileStood silent, so that I had ample timeTo make sure I was consciously awake.But soon I also heard him clearly say‘Abandon not the real true mystic mood,’As if the sound came from his inmost soul.He then continued, with sharp emphasis:‘To strive for naught; but just to live in peace:Expectancy the soul’s whole inner life,Such is the mystic mood. And of itselfIt wakes, unsought amid the stream of life,Whene’er a human soul is rightly strongAnd seeks the spirit with all-powerful thought.This mood comes often in our stillest hoursYet also in the heat of action; thenIt cometh lest the soul may thoughtless loseThe tender sight of spirit-happenings.’Felix Balde:Like to the very echo of my wordsThis utt’rance sounds,—yet not quite what I meant.Capesius:On close consideration one might findThe opposite of thine own words therein,—And more distinctly doth this fact appearWhen we give heed to this his further speech‘Whoever falsely wakes the mystic moodIt leads his inmost soul but to himselfAnd weaves betwixt himself and realms of lightThe dark veil of his own soul’s enterprise.If this thou wouldst through mysticism seekMystic illusion will destroy thy life.’Felix Balde:This can be nothing else than words of mineBy Strader’s spirit-views transformed; in theeThey echo as a grievous mystic fault.Capesius:Moreover Strader’s final words were these:‘A man can not attain the spirit-worldBy seeking to unlock the gates himself.Truth doth not sound within the soul of himWho only seeks a mood for many years.’(Philia appears, perceptible only to Capesius; Felix Balde shows that he does not comprehend what follows.)Philia:Capesius, if soon thou markest wellWhat in thy seeking comes to thee unsought,’Twill strengthen thee with many-coloured light;In pictured being it will pierce thee throughSince thy soul-forces show it unto thee.That which thy self’s sun-nature rays on theeBy Saturn’s ripened wisdom will be dulled;Then to thy vision will there be disclosedThat which in earth-life thou canst comprehend.Then I will lead thee to the guardianWho on the spirit-threshold keeps his watch.Felix Balde:From circles which I know not issue words.Their sound awakes no being full of lightAnd so they are not fully real to me.Capesius:The hint which Philia hath given meShall be my guide so that from this time forthIn spirit too may be revealed what IAlready as a man upon the earth,Can find within the circuit of my life.Curtain

A large reception room in Hilary’s house. As the curtain rises Hilary and Romanus are in conversation.

Hilary:I must with grief confess to thee, dear friend,That this fate’s tangle, which is forming hereWithin our circle, well-nigh crusheth me.On what can one rely, when nothing holds?The friends of Benedictus are by theeKept far from our endeavours; Strader, too,Is torn by bitter agonies of doubt.A man who, full of shrewdness and of hate,Hath oft opposed the mystic life and aims,Hath pointed out grave errors in his plansAnd shewn that his invention cannot work,And is not only stopped by outward checks.Life hath not brought me any ripened fruit;I longed for perfect deeds. And yet the thoughtsThat bring deeds unto ripeness never came.My soul was ever plagued by loneliness.By spirit-sight alone was I upborne.And yet;—in Strader’s case I was deceived.

Hilary:

I must with grief confess to thee, dear friend,

That this fate’s tangle, which is forming here

Within our circle, well-nigh crusheth me.

On what can one rely, when nothing holds?

The friends of Benedictus are by thee

Kept far from our endeavours; Strader, too,

Is torn by bitter agonies of doubt.

A man who, full of shrewdness and of hate,

Hath oft opposed the mystic life and aims,

Hath pointed out grave errors in his plans

And shewn that his invention cannot work,

And is not only stopped by outward checks.

Life hath not brought me any ripened fruit;

I longed for perfect deeds. And yet the thoughts

That bring deeds unto ripeness never came.

My soul was ever plagued by loneliness.

By spirit-sight alone was I upborne.

And yet;—in Strader’s case I was deceived.

Romanus:I often felt as though some gruesome shapeWas pressing painfully upon my soulWhene’er thy words were in the course of lifeShown to be naught but errors and mistakes;That as the spirit-sight seemed to deceiveMy mystic master did this shape becomeWithin me and did set a feeling freeWhich now enables me to give thee light.Too blindly hast thou trusted spirit-sight;And so as error it appears to theeWhen it doth surely lead thee to the truth.In Strader’s case thy sight was true, despiteThe things that super-clever men hath shown.

Romanus:

I often felt as though some gruesome shape

Was pressing painfully upon my soul

Whene’er thy words were in the course of life

Shown to be naught but errors and mistakes;

That as the spirit-sight seemed to deceive

My mystic master did this shape become

Within me and did set a feeling free

Which now enables me to give thee light.

Too blindly hast thou trusted spirit-sight;

And so as error it appears to thee

When it doth surely lead thee to the truth.

In Strader’s case thy sight was true, despite

The things that super-clever men hath shown.

Hilary:Thy faith still doth not waver, and thou hastThe same opinion now of Strader’s work?

Hilary:

Thy faith still doth not waver, and thou hast

The same opinion now of Strader’s work?

Romanus:The reasons whereon I did build it upHave naught to do with Strader’s friends at allAnd still are valid, whether his machineProve itself true or faulty in design.Supposing he hath made an error; well,A man through error finds the way to truth.

Romanus:

The reasons whereon I did build it up

Have naught to do with Strader’s friends at all

And still are valid, whether his machine

Prove itself true or faulty in design.

Supposing he hath made an error; well,

A man through error finds the way to truth.

Hilary:The failure then doth not affect thee—theeTo whom life hath brought nothing but success?

Hilary:

The failure then doth not affect thee—thee

To whom life hath brought nothing but success?

Romanus:Those who do not fear failure will succeed.It only needs an understanding eyeTo see what bearing mysticism hasUpon our case, and forthwith there appearsThe view that we should take of Strader’s work.He will come off victorious in the fightWhich flings the spirit-portals open wide;Undaunted by the watchman will he strideAcross the threshold of the spirit-land.My soul hath deeply realized the wordsWhich that stern Guardian of the threshold spoke.I feel him even now at Strader’s side.Whether he sees him, or toward him goesUnknowing, this indeed I cannot say;But I believe that I know Strader well.He will courageously make up his mindThat self-enlightenment must come through pain;The will will ever bear him companyWho bravely goes to meet what lies before,And, fortified by Hope’s strength-giving stream,Doth boldly face the pain which knowledge brings.

Romanus:

Those who do not fear failure will succeed.

It only needs an understanding eye

To see what bearing mysticism has

Upon our case, and forthwith there appears

The view that we should take of Strader’s work.

He will come off victorious in the fight

Which flings the spirit-portals open wide;

Undaunted by the watchman will he stride

Across the threshold of the spirit-land.

My soul hath deeply realized the words

Which that stern Guardian of the threshold spoke.

I feel him even now at Strader’s side.

Whether he sees him, or toward him goes

Unknowing, this indeed I cannot say;

But I believe that I know Strader well.

He will courageously make up his mind

That self-enlightenment must come through pain;

The will will ever bear him company

Who bravely goes to meet what lies before,

And, fortified by Hope’s strength-giving stream,

Doth boldly face the pain which knowledge brings.

Hilary:My friend, I thank thee for these mystic words.Oft have I heard them; now for the first timeI feel the secret meaning they enfold.The cosmic ways are hard to comprehend—My portion, my dear friend, it is to waitUntil the spirit points me out the wayWhich is appropriate unto my sight.

Hilary:

My friend, I thank thee for these mystic words.

Oft have I heard them; now for the first time

I feel the secret meaning they enfold.

The cosmic ways are hard to comprehend—

My portion, my dear friend, it is to wait

Until the spirit points me out the way

Which is appropriate unto my sight.

(Exeunt left.)

(Enter Capesius and Felix Balde, shown in by the Secretary, on right.)

Secretary:I think that Benedictus will returnSometime today from off his journey; butHe is not here at present; if thou com’stAgain tomorrow thou shouldst find him here.

Secretary:

I think that Benedictus will return

Sometime today from off his journey; but

He is not here at present; if thou com’st

Again tomorrow thou shouldst find him here.

Felix Balde:Can we then have a talk with Hilary?

Felix Balde:

Can we then have a talk with Hilary?

Secretary:I’ll go and ask him now to come to you.

Secretary:

I’ll go and ask him now to come to you.

(Exit.)

Felix Balde:A vision of deep import hast thou seen.Couldst thou not tell it to me o’er again?One cannot apprehend such things arightTill they are fully grasped by spirit-sight.

Felix Balde:

A vision of deep import hast thou seen.

Couldst thou not tell it to me o’er again?

One cannot apprehend such things aright

Till they are fully grasped by spirit-sight.

Capesius:It came this morning, when I thought myselfWrapt in the stillness of the mystic trance.My senses slept, and with them memory.To spirit things alone was I alive.At first I saw naught but familiar sights.Then Strader’s soul came clearly into viewBefore mine inner eye, and for a whileStood silent, so that I had ample timeTo make sure I was consciously awake.But soon I also heard him clearly say‘Abandon not the real true mystic mood,’As if the sound came from his inmost soul.He then continued, with sharp emphasis:‘To strive for naught; but just to live in peace:Expectancy the soul’s whole inner life,Such is the mystic mood. And of itselfIt wakes, unsought amid the stream of life,Whene’er a human soul is rightly strongAnd seeks the spirit with all-powerful thought.This mood comes often in our stillest hoursYet also in the heat of action; thenIt cometh lest the soul may thoughtless loseThe tender sight of spirit-happenings.’

Capesius:

It came this morning, when I thought myself

Wrapt in the stillness of the mystic trance.

My senses slept, and with them memory.

To spirit things alone was I alive.

At first I saw naught but familiar sights.

Then Strader’s soul came clearly into view

Before mine inner eye, and for a while

Stood silent, so that I had ample time

To make sure I was consciously awake.

But soon I also heard him clearly say

‘Abandon not the real true mystic mood,’

As if the sound came from his inmost soul.

He then continued, with sharp emphasis:

‘To strive for naught; but just to live in peace:

Expectancy the soul’s whole inner life,

Such is the mystic mood. And of itself

It wakes, unsought amid the stream of life,

Whene’er a human soul is rightly strong

And seeks the spirit with all-powerful thought.

This mood comes often in our stillest hours

Yet also in the heat of action; then

It cometh lest the soul may thoughtless lose

The tender sight of spirit-happenings.’

Felix Balde:Like to the very echo of my wordsThis utt’rance sounds,—yet not quite what I meant.

Felix Balde:

Like to the very echo of my words

This utt’rance sounds,—yet not quite what I meant.

Capesius:On close consideration one might findThe opposite of thine own words therein,—And more distinctly doth this fact appearWhen we give heed to this his further speech‘Whoever falsely wakes the mystic moodIt leads his inmost soul but to himselfAnd weaves betwixt himself and realms of lightThe dark veil of his own soul’s enterprise.If this thou wouldst through mysticism seekMystic illusion will destroy thy life.’

Capesius:

On close consideration one might find

The opposite of thine own words therein,—

And more distinctly doth this fact appear

When we give heed to this his further speech

‘Whoever falsely wakes the mystic mood

It leads his inmost soul but to himself

And weaves betwixt himself and realms of light

The dark veil of his own soul’s enterprise.

If this thou wouldst through mysticism seek

Mystic illusion will destroy thy life.’

Felix Balde:This can be nothing else than words of mineBy Strader’s spirit-views transformed; in theeThey echo as a grievous mystic fault.

Felix Balde:

This can be nothing else than words of mine

By Strader’s spirit-views transformed; in thee

They echo as a grievous mystic fault.

Capesius:Moreover Strader’s final words were these:‘A man can not attain the spirit-worldBy seeking to unlock the gates himself.Truth doth not sound within the soul of himWho only seeks a mood for many years.’

Capesius:

Moreover Strader’s final words were these:

‘A man can not attain the spirit-world

By seeking to unlock the gates himself.

Truth doth not sound within the soul of him

Who only seeks a mood for many years.’

(Philia appears, perceptible only to Capesius; Felix Balde shows that he does not comprehend what follows.)

Philia:Capesius, if soon thou markest wellWhat in thy seeking comes to thee unsought,’Twill strengthen thee with many-coloured light;In pictured being it will pierce thee throughSince thy soul-forces show it unto thee.That which thy self’s sun-nature rays on theeBy Saturn’s ripened wisdom will be dulled;Then to thy vision will there be disclosedThat which in earth-life thou canst comprehend.Then I will lead thee to the guardianWho on the spirit-threshold keeps his watch.

Philia:

Capesius, if soon thou markest well

What in thy seeking comes to thee unsought,

’Twill strengthen thee with many-coloured light;

In pictured being it will pierce thee through

Since thy soul-forces show it unto thee.

That which thy self’s sun-nature rays on thee

By Saturn’s ripened wisdom will be dulled;

Then to thy vision will there be disclosed

That which in earth-life thou canst comprehend.

Then I will lead thee to the guardian

Who on the spirit-threshold keeps his watch.

Felix Balde:From circles which I know not issue words.Their sound awakes no being full of lightAnd so they are not fully real to me.

Felix Balde:

From circles which I know not issue words.

Their sound awakes no being full of light

And so they are not fully real to me.

Capesius:The hint which Philia hath given meShall be my guide so that from this time forthIn spirit too may be revealed what IAlready as a man upon the earth,Can find within the circuit of my life.

Capesius:

The hint which Philia hath given me

Shall be my guide so that from this time forth

In spirit too may be revealed what I

Already as a man upon the earth,

Can find within the circuit of my life.

Curtain

Scene 14The same. Hilary’s wife in conversation with the Manager.Hilary’s wife:That fate itself doth not desire the deedWhich yet my husband thinks imperative,Seems likely when one views the tangled threadsThis power doth weave to form the knot in life,Which holds us here in its compelling bonds.Manager:A knot of fate indeed, which truly seemsUnable to be loosed by human sense—And so, I take it, it must needs be cut.I see no other possibilityThan that the strand which links thy husband’s lifeTo mine must now at last be cut in twain.Hilary’s wife:What! Part from thee!—My husband never will.’Twould go against the spirit of the houseWhich by his own dear father was inspiredAnd which the son will faithfully uphold.Manager:But hath he not already broken faith?The aims that Hilary hath now in viewCan surely not be found along the roadHis father’s spirit ever walked upon.Hilary’s wife:My husband’s happiness in life now hangsOn the successful issue of these aims.I saw the transformation of his soulAs soon as, like a lightning flash, the thoughtIllumined him. He had found hithertoNothing in life but sad soul-loneliness,A feeling which he was at pains to hideE’en from the circle of his closest friendsBut which consumed him inwardly the more.Till then he deemed himself of no accountBecause thoughts would not spring up in his soulWhich seemed to him to be of use in life.But when this plan of mystic enterpriseThen stood before his soul, he grew quite young,He was another man, a happy man;This aim first gave to him a worth in life.That thou couldst ere oppose him in this workWas inconceivable till it occurred.He felt the blow more keenly than aught elseThat in his life hath yet befallen him.Couldst thou but know the pain that thou hast caused,Thou wouldst not surely be so harsh with him.Manager:I feel as if my manhood would be lostIf I should set myself to go againstMine own convictions.—I shall find it hardTo do my work with Strader at my side.Yet I decided I would bear this loadTo help Romanus, whom I understandSince he concerning Strader spake with me.What he explained became the starting-pointFor me of mine own spirit-pupilship.There was a power that flamed forth from his wordsAnd entered actively within my soul;I never yet had felt it so before.His counsel is most precious, though as yetI cannot understand and follow it;Romanus only cares for Strader now;He thinks the other mystics by their shareNot only are a hindrance to the workBut also are a danger to themselves.For his opinion I have such regardThat I must now believe the following:If Strader cannot find a way to workWithout his friends, ’twill be a sign of fate.A sign that with these friends he must abide,And only later fashion faculties,Through mystic striving for some outward work.The fact that recently he hath becomeMore closely knit to them than formerly,Despite a slight estrangement for a while,Makes me believe that he will find his way,Lies in this state of things, though it involvesA failure, for the present, of his aims.Hilary’s wife:Thou see’st the man with only that much sightWith which Romanus hath entrusted thee,Thou shouldst gaze on him with unbiased eye.He can so steep himself in spirit-lifeThat he appears quite sundered from the earth.Then spirit forms his whole environmentAnd Theodora liveth then for him.In speaking with him it appears as ifShe too were present. Many mystics canExpress the spirit-message in such wordsAs bring conviction after careful thought;But Strader’s very speech hath this same power.One sees that he sets little store uponMere inward spirit-life that is contentWith feelings only; the explorer’s zealDoth ever prove his guide in mystic life.And so his mystic aims do not destroyHis sense for scientific schemes which seemBoth practical and useful for this life.Try to perceive this faculty in him,And through him also learn another thing,How one’s own personal judgment of one’s friendsIs of more value than another man’sSuch as Romanus hath acquired of him.Manager:In such a case as this, so far removedFrom all the vista of my usual thought,The judgment of Romanus seems to meSome solid ground to stand on. If, myself,I enter realms to mysticism near,I surely need such guidance as indeedA man can only give me who can winMy confidence by so much of himselfAs I myself can fully comprehend.(Enter the Secretary.)You seem upset, my friend; what hath occurred?Secretary(hesitatingly):Good doctor Strader died a few hours since.Manager:Died?—Strader?Hilary’s wife:What. Not Strader dead?—Where nowIs Hilary?Secretary:Is Hilary?He is in his own room.He seemed quite stricken when the messengerFirst brought the news to him from Strader’s house.(Exit Hilary’s wife, followed by the Secretary.)Manager(alone):Dead—Strader!—Can this really be the truth?The spirit-sleep of which I heard so muchNow toucheth me.—The fate which here doth guideThe threads of life wears now a serious face.O little soul of mine, what mighty handHath now laid hold upon thy thread of fate,And given it a part within this knot.‘But that which must will surely come to pass!’Why is it that these words have never leftMy mind since Strader spake them long agoWhen talking with myself and Hilary?—As if they reached him from another worldSo did they sound;—he spake as if entranced;—What is to come to pass?—Right well I knowThe spirit-world laid hands upon me then.Within those words there sounds the spirit-speech—Sounds earnest—; how can I its weaving learn?Curtain

The same. Hilary’s wife in conversation with the Manager.

Hilary’s wife:That fate itself doth not desire the deedWhich yet my husband thinks imperative,Seems likely when one views the tangled threadsThis power doth weave to form the knot in life,Which holds us here in its compelling bonds.

Hilary’s wife:

That fate itself doth not desire the deed

Which yet my husband thinks imperative,

Seems likely when one views the tangled threads

This power doth weave to form the knot in life,

Which holds us here in its compelling bonds.

Manager:A knot of fate indeed, which truly seemsUnable to be loosed by human sense—And so, I take it, it must needs be cut.

Manager:

A knot of fate indeed, which truly seems

Unable to be loosed by human sense—

And so, I take it, it must needs be cut.

I see no other possibilityThan that the strand which links thy husband’s lifeTo mine must now at last be cut in twain.

I see no other possibility

Than that the strand which links thy husband’s life

To mine must now at last be cut in twain.

Hilary’s wife:What! Part from thee!—My husband never will.’Twould go against the spirit of the houseWhich by his own dear father was inspiredAnd which the son will faithfully uphold.

Hilary’s wife:

What! Part from thee!—My husband never will.

’Twould go against the spirit of the house

Which by his own dear father was inspired

And which the son will faithfully uphold.

Manager:But hath he not already broken faith?The aims that Hilary hath now in viewCan surely not be found along the roadHis father’s spirit ever walked upon.

Manager:

But hath he not already broken faith?

The aims that Hilary hath now in view

Can surely not be found along the road

His father’s spirit ever walked upon.

Hilary’s wife:My husband’s happiness in life now hangsOn the successful issue of these aims.I saw the transformation of his soulAs soon as, like a lightning flash, the thoughtIllumined him. He had found hithertoNothing in life but sad soul-loneliness,A feeling which he was at pains to hideE’en from the circle of his closest friendsBut which consumed him inwardly the more.Till then he deemed himself of no accountBecause thoughts would not spring up in his soulWhich seemed to him to be of use in life.But when this plan of mystic enterpriseThen stood before his soul, he grew quite young,He was another man, a happy man;This aim first gave to him a worth in life.That thou couldst ere oppose him in this workWas inconceivable till it occurred.He felt the blow more keenly than aught elseThat in his life hath yet befallen him.Couldst thou but know the pain that thou hast caused,Thou wouldst not surely be so harsh with him.

Hilary’s wife:

My husband’s happiness in life now hangs

On the successful issue of these aims.

I saw the transformation of his soul

As soon as, like a lightning flash, the thought

Illumined him. He had found hitherto

Nothing in life but sad soul-loneliness,

A feeling which he was at pains to hide

E’en from the circle of his closest friends

But which consumed him inwardly the more.

Till then he deemed himself of no account

Because thoughts would not spring up in his soul

Which seemed to him to be of use in life.

But when this plan of mystic enterprise

Then stood before his soul, he grew quite young,

He was another man, a happy man;

This aim first gave to him a worth in life.

That thou couldst ere oppose him in this work

Was inconceivable till it occurred.

He felt the blow more keenly than aught else

That in his life hath yet befallen him.

Couldst thou but know the pain that thou hast caused,

Thou wouldst not surely be so harsh with him.

Manager:I feel as if my manhood would be lostIf I should set myself to go againstMine own convictions.—I shall find it hardTo do my work with Strader at my side.Yet I decided I would bear this loadTo help Romanus, whom I understandSince he concerning Strader spake with me.What he explained became the starting-pointFor me of mine own spirit-pupilship.There was a power that flamed forth from his wordsAnd entered actively within my soul;I never yet had felt it so before.His counsel is most precious, though as yetI cannot understand and follow it;Romanus only cares for Strader now;He thinks the other mystics by their shareNot only are a hindrance to the workBut also are a danger to themselves.For his opinion I have such regardThat I must now believe the following:If Strader cannot find a way to workWithout his friends, ’twill be a sign of fate.A sign that with these friends he must abide,And only later fashion faculties,Through mystic striving for some outward work.The fact that recently he hath becomeMore closely knit to them than formerly,Despite a slight estrangement for a while,Makes me believe that he will find his way,Lies in this state of things, though it involvesA failure, for the present, of his aims.

Manager:

I feel as if my manhood would be lost

If I should set myself to go against

Mine own convictions.—I shall find it hard

To do my work with Strader at my side.

Yet I decided I would bear this load

To help Romanus, whom I understand

Since he concerning Strader spake with me.

What he explained became the starting-point

For me of mine own spirit-pupilship.

There was a power that flamed forth from his words

And entered actively within my soul;

I never yet had felt it so before.

His counsel is most precious, though as yet

I cannot understand and follow it;

Romanus only cares for Strader now;

He thinks the other mystics by their share

Not only are a hindrance to the work

But also are a danger to themselves.

For his opinion I have such regard

That I must now believe the following:

If Strader cannot find a way to work

Without his friends, ’twill be a sign of fate.

A sign that with these friends he must abide,

And only later fashion faculties,

Through mystic striving for some outward work.

The fact that recently he hath become

More closely knit to them than formerly,

Despite a slight estrangement for a while,

Makes me believe that he will find his way,

Lies in this state of things, though it involves

A failure, for the present, of his aims.

Hilary’s wife:Thou see’st the man with only that much sightWith which Romanus hath entrusted thee,Thou shouldst gaze on him with unbiased eye.He can so steep himself in spirit-lifeThat he appears quite sundered from the earth.Then spirit forms his whole environmentAnd Theodora liveth then for him.In speaking with him it appears as ifShe too were present. Many mystics canExpress the spirit-message in such wordsAs bring conviction after careful thought;But Strader’s very speech hath this same power.One sees that he sets little store uponMere inward spirit-life that is contentWith feelings only; the explorer’s zealDoth ever prove his guide in mystic life.And so his mystic aims do not destroyHis sense for scientific schemes which seemBoth practical and useful for this life.Try to perceive this faculty in him,And through him also learn another thing,How one’s own personal judgment of one’s friendsIs of more value than another man’sSuch as Romanus hath acquired of him.

Hilary’s wife:

Thou see’st the man with only that much sight

With which Romanus hath entrusted thee,

Thou shouldst gaze on him with unbiased eye.

He can so steep himself in spirit-life

That he appears quite sundered from the earth.

Then spirit forms his whole environment

And Theodora liveth then for him.

In speaking with him it appears as if

She too were present. Many mystics can

Express the spirit-message in such words

As bring conviction after careful thought;

But Strader’s very speech hath this same power.

One sees that he sets little store upon

Mere inward spirit-life that is content

With feelings only; the explorer’s zeal

Doth ever prove his guide in mystic life.

And so his mystic aims do not destroy

His sense for scientific schemes which seem

Both practical and useful for this life.

Try to perceive this faculty in him,

And through him also learn another thing,

How one’s own personal judgment of one’s friends

Is of more value than another man’s

Such as Romanus hath acquired of him.

Manager:In such a case as this, so far removedFrom all the vista of my usual thought,The judgment of Romanus seems to meSome solid ground to stand on. If, myself,I enter realms to mysticism near,I surely need such guidance as indeedA man can only give me who can winMy confidence by so much of himselfAs I myself can fully comprehend.

Manager:

In such a case as this, so far removed

From all the vista of my usual thought,

The judgment of Romanus seems to me

Some solid ground to stand on. If, myself,

I enter realms to mysticism near,

I surely need such guidance as indeed

A man can only give me who can win

My confidence by so much of himself

As I myself can fully comprehend.

(Enter the Secretary.)

You seem upset, my friend; what hath occurred?

Secretary(hesitatingly):Good doctor Strader died a few hours since.

Secretary(hesitatingly):

Good doctor Strader died a few hours since.

Manager:Died?—Strader?

Manager:

Died?—Strader?

Hilary’s wife:What. Not Strader dead?—Where nowIs Hilary?

Hilary’s wife:

What. Not Strader dead?—Where now

Is Hilary?

Secretary:Is Hilary?He is in his own room.He seemed quite stricken when the messengerFirst brought the news to him from Strader’s house.

Secretary:

Is Hilary?He is in his own room.

He seemed quite stricken when the messenger

First brought the news to him from Strader’s house.

(Exit Hilary’s wife, followed by the Secretary.)

Manager(alone):Dead—Strader!—Can this really be the truth?

Manager(alone):

Dead—Strader!—Can this really be the truth?

The spirit-sleep of which I heard so muchNow toucheth me.—The fate which here doth guideThe threads of life wears now a serious face.O little soul of mine, what mighty handHath now laid hold upon thy thread of fate,And given it a part within this knot.

The spirit-sleep of which I heard so much

Now toucheth me.—The fate which here doth guide

The threads of life wears now a serious face.

O little soul of mine, what mighty hand

Hath now laid hold upon thy thread of fate,

And given it a part within this knot.

‘But that which must will surely come to pass!’Why is it that these words have never leftMy mind since Strader spake them long agoWhen talking with myself and Hilary?—As if they reached him from another worldSo did they sound;—he spake as if entranced;—What is to come to pass?—Right well I knowThe spirit-world laid hands upon me then.Within those words there sounds the spirit-speech—Sounds earnest—; how can I its weaving learn?

‘But that which must will surely come to pass!’

Why is it that these words have never left

My mind since Strader spake them long ago

When talking with myself and Hilary?—

As if they reached him from another world

So did they sound;—he spake as if entranced;—

What is to come to pass?—Right well I know

The spirit-world laid hands upon me then.

Within those words there sounds the spirit-speech—

Sounds earnest—; how can I its weaving learn?

Curtain

Scene 15The same. Doctor Strader’s nurse is sitting there waiting. Enter the Secretary.Secretary:Soon Benedictus will, I hope, appearAnd hear himself the message thou dost bring:He went a journey and hath just returned.A great man surely doctor Strader was.At first I did not have much confidenceIn Hilary’s tremendous plan of work;But, as I frequently was in the roomWhilst Strader was engaged in showing himWhat further needs his plan of work involved,All my objections swiftly lost their force.Aye full of spirit, with the keenest senseFor all things possible and purposeful,He yet was ever heedful that the endShould issue reasonably from the work;Ne’er would he anything for granted take.He held himself quite as a mystic should;As people who are anxious to beholdA lovely view from some tall mountain-crestKeep plodding on till they have reached the topNor try to paint the picture in advance.Nurse:A man of lofty spirit and great giftsThou knewest hard at work in active life.I, in the short time it was given meTo render earth’s last services to himLearned to admire his loftiness of soul.A sweet soul, that, except for seven yearsOf utmost bliss, walked aye through life alone.Their wisdom mystics offered him,—but loveWas all his need;—his lust for outward deedsWas naught but—love, which sought for many formsOf life in which to manifest itself.That which this soul sought on the mystic pathWas needful to its being’s noble fire,As sleep is to the body after toil.Secretary:In him the mystic wisdom was the sourceOf outward deeds as well; for all his workWas ever fully steeped in its ideals.Nurse:Because in him love was a natural law,And he had to unite himself in soulWith all the aspirations of his life;E’en his last thoughts were still about the workTo which in love he did devote himself—As people part from beings whom they loveSo Strader’s soul reluctantly did leaveThe work on earth through which his love had poured.Secretary:He lived in spirit with full consciousness:And Theodora was with him as ayeShe was in life—true mystic souls feel thus.Nurse:Because his loneliness knit him to her,She stood before him still in death. By herHe felt that he was called to spirit-worldsTo finish there his incompleted task.For Benedictus just before his deathHe wrote a message which I now have comeTo give into the mystic leader’s hands.So must the life of this our time on earthUnfold itself yet further, full of doubt;—But brightened by sun-beings such as he,From whom a wider number may receive,Like planets, light-rays which awaken life.(Enter Benedictus left. Exit Secretary right.)Nurse:Before his strength departed, Strader wroteThese few lines for thee. I have come to bringHis message to his faithful mystic friend.Benedictus:And as he set this message down for meWhat were the themes that his soul dwelt upon?Nurse:At first the latest of his plans in lifeLived in his thought; then Theodora cameTo join him in the spirit; feeling thisHis soul did gently leave its body’s sheath.Benedictus:My thanks to thee, thou faithful soul, for allThy services to him whilst yet on earth.(Exit nurse. Benedictus reads Strader’s last words.)Benedictus:(reading)‘My friend, when I perceived my strength was spentAnd saw that opposition to my workDid not alone from outward sources rise,But that the inner flaws of my own thoughtWere obstacles to check my plan’s success,Once more I saw that vision which I toldNot long ago to thee. But yet this timeThe vision ended otherwise. No moreWas Ahriman my foe; a spirit stoodThere, in his stead, whom I could clearly feelTo represent my own erroneous thought.And then did I remember thine own wordsAbout the strengthening mine own soul’s powers.But thereupon the spirit disappeared.’—There are a few more words,—but I cannotDecipher them—a chaos covers themBy weaving in a veil of active thought.(Ahriman appears; Benedictus sees him.)(There is no longer any illusion about Ahriman. His form is much more inhuman; his right arm is bone, his right hand a claw, and he has a cloven hoof.)Benedictus:Who art thou, who dost take a shadowed life,From out my chaos, in the soul’s domain?Ahriman(aside):He sees me, but as yet he knows me not.And so he will not cause me fearful painIf I should try to labour by his side.(To Benedictus.)I can declare to thee what Strader meansTo tell thee further for thy personal good.And also for thy pupil’s mystic path.Benedictus:My mystic group will always know itselfTo be in touch with Strader’s soul, althoughThe life of sense no longer forms a bridge.But when a spirit-messenger draws nearAnd manifests to us from his own worlds,Then he must needs first win our confidence.This he can only do if he appearsWithout disguise unto our spirit-gaze.Ahriman:Thou art but striving for self-consciousness:So stranger spirit-beings, who might wishTo render thee a service, are compelledTo show themselves as parts of thine own self,If they may only help thee undisguised.Benedictus:Whoe’er thou art ’tis sure thou only canstServe Good when thou dost strive not for thyself,When thou dost lose thyself in human thoughtTo rise newborn within the cosmic life.Ahriman:(aside)Now is it time for me to haste awayFrom his environment, for whensoe’erHis sight can think me as I really am,He will commence to fashion in his thoughtPart of the power which slowly killeth me.(Ahriman disappears.)Benedictus:Now only do I see ’tis Ahriman,Who flees himself, but fashions out of thoughtA knowledge of his being in myself.His aim is to confuse the thought of manBecause therein, misled by error old,He seeks the source of all his sufferings.As yet he knows not that the only wayFor him to find release in future isTo find himself reflected in this thought.And so he shows himself to men indeed,But not as he doth feel he is in truth.Himself revealing, and concealing too,He sought to utilize in his own wayA favourable hour in Strader’s case.Through him he hoped to strike his friends as well;But he will not be able to concealHis nature from my mystic pupils now.He shall be present in their waking thoughtIf he holds sway within their inner sight.So shall they learn to know his many forms,Which would disguise him whensoe’er he mustReveal himself unto the souls of men.But thou, sun-ripened soul of Strader, thouWho by the strengthening of thy spirit-powersDidst drive the Lord of Error into flightThou shalt, as spirit-star, shine on thy friends.Thy light shall henceforth ever penetrateInto Maria’s and Johannes’ selves;Through thee will they be able to equipThemselves more strongly for their spirit-work,That so they may with powerful thought revealThemselves as proof of soul-enlightenment,E’en at such times as dusky Ahriman,By clouding wisdom, seeks to spread the nightOf Chaos o’er full-wakened spirit-sight.Curtain

The same. Doctor Strader’s nurse is sitting there waiting. Enter the Secretary.

Secretary:Soon Benedictus will, I hope, appearAnd hear himself the message thou dost bring:He went a journey and hath just returned.A great man surely doctor Strader was.At first I did not have much confidenceIn Hilary’s tremendous plan of work;But, as I frequently was in the roomWhilst Strader was engaged in showing himWhat further needs his plan of work involved,All my objections swiftly lost their force.Aye full of spirit, with the keenest senseFor all things possible and purposeful,He yet was ever heedful that the endShould issue reasonably from the work;Ne’er would he anything for granted take.He held himself quite as a mystic should;As people who are anxious to beholdA lovely view from some tall mountain-crestKeep plodding on till they have reached the topNor try to paint the picture in advance.

Secretary:

Soon Benedictus will, I hope, appear

And hear himself the message thou dost bring:

He went a journey and hath just returned.

A great man surely doctor Strader was.

At first I did not have much confidence

In Hilary’s tremendous plan of work;

But, as I frequently was in the room

Whilst Strader was engaged in showing him

What further needs his plan of work involved,

All my objections swiftly lost their force.

Aye full of spirit, with the keenest sense

For all things possible and purposeful,

He yet was ever heedful that the end

Should issue reasonably from the work;

Ne’er would he anything for granted take.

He held himself quite as a mystic should;

As people who are anxious to behold

A lovely view from some tall mountain-crest

Keep plodding on till they have reached the top

Nor try to paint the picture in advance.

Nurse:A man of lofty spirit and great giftsThou knewest hard at work in active life.I, in the short time it was given meTo render earth’s last services to himLearned to admire his loftiness of soul.A sweet soul, that, except for seven yearsOf utmost bliss, walked aye through life alone.Their wisdom mystics offered him,—but loveWas all his need;—his lust for outward deedsWas naught but—love, which sought for many formsOf life in which to manifest itself.That which this soul sought on the mystic pathWas needful to its being’s noble fire,As sleep is to the body after toil.

Nurse:

A man of lofty spirit and great gifts

Thou knewest hard at work in active life.

I, in the short time it was given me

To render earth’s last services to him

Learned to admire his loftiness of soul.

A sweet soul, that, except for seven years

Of utmost bliss, walked aye through life alone.

Their wisdom mystics offered him,—but love

Was all his need;—his lust for outward deeds

Was naught but—love, which sought for many forms

Of life in which to manifest itself.

That which this soul sought on the mystic path

Was needful to its being’s noble fire,

As sleep is to the body after toil.

Secretary:In him the mystic wisdom was the sourceOf outward deeds as well; for all his workWas ever fully steeped in its ideals.

Secretary:

In him the mystic wisdom was the source

Of outward deeds as well; for all his work

Was ever fully steeped in its ideals.

Nurse:Because in him love was a natural law,And he had to unite himself in soulWith all the aspirations of his life;E’en his last thoughts were still about the workTo which in love he did devote himself—As people part from beings whom they loveSo Strader’s soul reluctantly did leaveThe work on earth through which his love had poured.

Nurse:

Because in him love was a natural law,

And he had to unite himself in soul

With all the aspirations of his life;

E’en his last thoughts were still about the work

To which in love he did devote himself—

As people part from beings whom they love

So Strader’s soul reluctantly did leave

The work on earth through which his love had poured.

Secretary:He lived in spirit with full consciousness:And Theodora was with him as ayeShe was in life—true mystic souls feel thus.

Secretary:

He lived in spirit with full consciousness:

And Theodora was with him as aye

She was in life—true mystic souls feel thus.

Nurse:Because his loneliness knit him to her,She stood before him still in death. By herHe felt that he was called to spirit-worldsTo finish there his incompleted task.For Benedictus just before his deathHe wrote a message which I now have comeTo give into the mystic leader’s hands.So must the life of this our time on earthUnfold itself yet further, full of doubt;—But brightened by sun-beings such as he,From whom a wider number may receive,Like planets, light-rays which awaken life.

Nurse:

Because his loneliness knit him to her,

She stood before him still in death. By her

He felt that he was called to spirit-worlds

To finish there his incompleted task.

For Benedictus just before his death

He wrote a message which I now have come

To give into the mystic leader’s hands.

So must the life of this our time on earth

Unfold itself yet further, full of doubt;—

But brightened by sun-beings such as he,

From whom a wider number may receive,

Like planets, light-rays which awaken life.

(Enter Benedictus left. Exit Secretary right.)

Nurse:Before his strength departed, Strader wroteThese few lines for thee. I have come to bringHis message to his faithful mystic friend.

Nurse:

Before his strength departed, Strader wrote

These few lines for thee. I have come to bring

His message to his faithful mystic friend.

Benedictus:And as he set this message down for meWhat were the themes that his soul dwelt upon?

Benedictus:

And as he set this message down for me

What were the themes that his soul dwelt upon?

Nurse:At first the latest of his plans in lifeLived in his thought; then Theodora cameTo join him in the spirit; feeling thisHis soul did gently leave its body’s sheath.

Nurse:

At first the latest of his plans in life

Lived in his thought; then Theodora came

To join him in the spirit; feeling this

His soul did gently leave its body’s sheath.

Benedictus:My thanks to thee, thou faithful soul, for allThy services to him whilst yet on earth.

Benedictus:

My thanks to thee, thou faithful soul, for all

Thy services to him whilst yet on earth.

(Exit nurse. Benedictus reads Strader’s last words.)

Benedictus:(reading)‘My friend, when I perceived my strength was spentAnd saw that opposition to my workDid not alone from outward sources rise,But that the inner flaws of my own thoughtWere obstacles to check my plan’s success,Once more I saw that vision which I toldNot long ago to thee. But yet this timeThe vision ended otherwise. No moreWas Ahriman my foe; a spirit stoodThere, in his stead, whom I could clearly feelTo represent my own erroneous thought.And then did I remember thine own wordsAbout the strengthening mine own soul’s powers.But thereupon the spirit disappeared.’—There are a few more words,—but I cannotDecipher them—a chaos covers themBy weaving in a veil of active thought.

Benedictus:(reading)

‘My friend, when I perceived my strength was spent

And saw that opposition to my work

Did not alone from outward sources rise,

But that the inner flaws of my own thought

Were obstacles to check my plan’s success,

Once more I saw that vision which I told

Not long ago to thee. But yet this time

The vision ended otherwise. No more

Was Ahriman my foe; a spirit stood

There, in his stead, whom I could clearly feel

To represent my own erroneous thought.

And then did I remember thine own words

About the strengthening mine own soul’s powers.

But thereupon the spirit disappeared.’—

There are a few more words,—but I cannot

Decipher them—a chaos covers them

By weaving in a veil of active thought.

(Ahriman appears; Benedictus sees him.)

(There is no longer any illusion about Ahriman. His form is much more inhuman; his right arm is bone, his right hand a claw, and he has a cloven hoof.)

Benedictus:Who art thou, who dost take a shadowed life,From out my chaos, in the soul’s domain?

Benedictus:

Who art thou, who dost take a shadowed life,

From out my chaos, in the soul’s domain?

Ahriman(aside):He sees me, but as yet he knows me not.And so he will not cause me fearful painIf I should try to labour by his side.

Ahriman(aside):

He sees me, but as yet he knows me not.

And so he will not cause me fearful pain

If I should try to labour by his side.

(To Benedictus.)

I can declare to thee what Strader meansTo tell thee further for thy personal good.And also for thy pupil’s mystic path.

I can declare to thee what Strader means

To tell thee further for thy personal good.

And also for thy pupil’s mystic path.

Benedictus:My mystic group will always know itselfTo be in touch with Strader’s soul, althoughThe life of sense no longer forms a bridge.But when a spirit-messenger draws nearAnd manifests to us from his own worlds,Then he must needs first win our confidence.This he can only do if he appearsWithout disguise unto our spirit-gaze.

Benedictus:

My mystic group will always know itself

To be in touch with Strader’s soul, although

The life of sense no longer forms a bridge.

But when a spirit-messenger draws near

And manifests to us from his own worlds,

Then he must needs first win our confidence.

This he can only do if he appears

Without disguise unto our spirit-gaze.

Ahriman:Thou art but striving for self-consciousness:So stranger spirit-beings, who might wishTo render thee a service, are compelledTo show themselves as parts of thine own self,If they may only help thee undisguised.

Ahriman:

Thou art but striving for self-consciousness:

So stranger spirit-beings, who might wish

To render thee a service, are compelled

To show themselves as parts of thine own self,

If they may only help thee undisguised.

Benedictus:Whoe’er thou art ’tis sure thou only canstServe Good when thou dost strive not for thyself,When thou dost lose thyself in human thoughtTo rise newborn within the cosmic life.

Benedictus:

Whoe’er thou art ’tis sure thou only canst

Serve Good when thou dost strive not for thyself,

When thou dost lose thyself in human thought

To rise newborn within the cosmic life.

Ahriman:(aside)Now is it time for me to haste awayFrom his environment, for whensoe’erHis sight can think me as I really am,He will commence to fashion in his thoughtPart of the power which slowly killeth me.

Ahriman:(aside)

Now is it time for me to haste away

From his environment, for whensoe’er

His sight can think me as I really am,

He will commence to fashion in his thought

Part of the power which slowly killeth me.

(Ahriman disappears.)

Benedictus:Now only do I see ’tis Ahriman,Who flees himself, but fashions out of thoughtA knowledge of his being in myself.His aim is to confuse the thought of manBecause therein, misled by error old,He seeks the source of all his sufferings.As yet he knows not that the only wayFor him to find release in future isTo find himself reflected in this thought.And so he shows himself to men indeed,But not as he doth feel he is in truth.Himself revealing, and concealing too,He sought to utilize in his own wayA favourable hour in Strader’s case.Through him he hoped to strike his friends as well;But he will not be able to concealHis nature from my mystic pupils now.He shall be present in their waking thoughtIf he holds sway within their inner sight.So shall they learn to know his many forms,Which would disguise him whensoe’er he mustReveal himself unto the souls of men.But thou, sun-ripened soul of Strader, thouWho by the strengthening of thy spirit-powersDidst drive the Lord of Error into flightThou shalt, as spirit-star, shine on thy friends.Thy light shall henceforth ever penetrateInto Maria’s and Johannes’ selves;Through thee will they be able to equipThemselves more strongly for their spirit-work,That so they may with powerful thought revealThemselves as proof of soul-enlightenment,E’en at such times as dusky Ahriman,By clouding wisdom, seeks to spread the nightOf Chaos o’er full-wakened spirit-sight.

Benedictus:

Now only do I see ’tis Ahriman,

Who flees himself, but fashions out of thought

A knowledge of his being in myself.

His aim is to confuse the thought of man

Because therein, misled by error old,

He seeks the source of all his sufferings.

As yet he knows not that the only way

For him to find release in future is

To find himself reflected in this thought.

And so he shows himself to men indeed,

But not as he doth feel he is in truth.

Himself revealing, and concealing too,

He sought to utilize in his own way

A favourable hour in Strader’s case.

Through him he hoped to strike his friends as well;

But he will not be able to conceal

His nature from my mystic pupils now.

He shall be present in their waking thought

If he holds sway within their inner sight.

So shall they learn to know his many forms,

Which would disguise him whensoe’er he must

Reveal himself unto the souls of men.

But thou, sun-ripened soul of Strader, thou

Who by the strengthening of thy spirit-powers

Didst drive the Lord of Error into flight

Thou shalt, as spirit-star, shine on thy friends.

Thy light shall henceforth ever penetrate

Into Maria’s and Johannes’ selves;

Through thee will they be able to equip

Themselves more strongly for their spirit-work,

That so they may with powerful thought reveal

Themselves as proof of soul-enlightenment,

E’en at such times as dusky Ahriman,

By clouding wisdom, seeks to spread the night

Of Chaos o’er full-wakened spirit-sight.

Curtain

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