Scene 3

Scene 3In Lucifer’s kingdom. A space which is not enclosed by artificial walls, but by fantastic forms which resemble plants, animals, etc. All in various brilliant shades of red. In the background are arranged three transparencies showing the top of Raphael’s ‘Disputa,’ Leonardo’s ‘Last Supper,’ and Raphael’s ‘School of Athens.’ These are illuminated from the back of the stage whenever Maria or Benedictus challenges Lucifer. At other times they are invisible. On the right, Lucifer’s throne. At first only the souls of Capesius and Maria are present. After a time Lucifer appears, and later on Benedictus and Thomasius, with his etheric counterpart or ‘double,’ and lastly, Theodora.Maria:Thou, who within the realm of sense art namedCapesius, I wonder why it isThou art the being whom I meet the firstIn Lucifer’s domain: ’tis dangerousWhen spirits of this place blow round one’s head.Capesius(in astral garb):O speak not to me of CapesiusWho in the kingdom of the Earth erewhileStrove through a life which he hath long since knownWas but a dream. Whilst there be bent his mindUpon such things as ever come to passAs time streams on. And he had set himselfIn that way to discover all the powersThrough which mankind fulfils its spirit-life.What thus he came to know about those powersHe tried to keep deep fastened in his soul.Now only in this realm one understandsTo judge aright the knowledge he pursued.He thought the pictures he possessed were trueAnd could reveal to him reality;But, viewed from here, they clearly show themselvesAs naught but empty dreams, which Spirit-handsHave woven round about weak men of Earth.They cannot bear the cold clear light of truth.They would be utterly afraid and stunnedIf they should learn how all the course of lifeIs turned by spirits after their ideas.Maria:Thou speakest as I’ve only heard those speakWho ne’er have been incarnate on the Earth.They tell you Earth hath no significance,That in the universe its work is small.But he who hath belonged to realms of EarthAnd owes to it the best powers that he hath,Will have a different tale to tell thereof.He finds important many threads of fateWhich bind Earth’s life to that of all the worlds.E’en Lucifer who works here with such powerMust keep his gaze fixed fast upon the Earth,And seek to turn men’s deeds in such a wayThat their results may ripen his own soul.He knows he’d fall a victim to the darkIf he could find no booty on the Earth,And so his fate is bound up with that sphere.So too, with those who dwell in other worlds.And when the human soul can clearly seeThe cosmic goal, which Lucifer desires,And can compare with it what those powers wishWho have him as opponent to their aims,Then will she know that he can be destroyedThrough conquests which she gains o’er her own self.Capesius:The human being who here talks with theeThinks that fate dreadful, which compels him nowTo wear a body round him; which hath yetThe breath of life and keeps its earthly form,Although the spirit hath no more control.At such a time this spirit feels indeedThat worlds, he values, fall at one fierce blow.He feels himself within a prison-houseNarrow and horrible with naught all round.Remembrance of the life that he passed throughSeems, as it were, extinguished from his soul.At times he feels aware of human souls,But what they say he cannot understand;He only catches some especial wordsWhich lift themselves from out the general talk,And bring remembrance of the lovelinessWhich he can gaze on in the Spirit-realms.He’s in his body then, and yet is not;And lives within himself a life he fearsWhen he beholds it from this region here:And he is longing for the time to comeWhen from this body he will be set free.Maria:The body which is proper to Earth-soulsBears in itself the means to recreateIn lofty pictures loveliness sublime:Which pictures, even if their substance nowSeems but a shadow in the human soul,Are yet the buds which in the future worldsWill open out to blossom and to fruit.So through his body man may serve the gods.And his soul’s life doth show in its true lightOnly when in his body he doth findThe power to give his “I” reality.Capesius:Ah, utter not that word in front of himWho stands before thee now in Spirit-realmsAnd on the Earth is called Capesius.He fain would flee away when that word sounds,So fierce it burns him here.Maria:So fierce it burns him here.So thou dost hateThat which first gives true being unto men?How canst thou come to live within this realmIf so appalling seems that word to thee?For no one can arrive as far as thisWho hath not faced the nature of that word.Capesius:He who appears to thee hath often stoodBefore great Lucifer who rules this realm.And Lucifer hath made it clear to himThat only souls, who consciously make useOf powers that from their earthly bodies come,Can harm the realm which doth obey his will.Those souls however who go through their lifeWithin the body, as it were in swoon,And yet already have clairvoyant power,These only learn in Lucifer’s domain,And cannot cause it harm in any way.Maria:I know that in these realms of Spirit-life’Tis not by words, but sight, that one doth learn.What in this moment I have come to seeBecause of thine appearance to me here,Will later show itself within my soulAs progress in my spirit-pupilship.Capesius:Here ’tis not only teaching that one gains;Duties are also shown one in this place.Thou hast here spoken with the soul of himWho calls himself Capesius on earth.The spirit-glances into former livesThat are accorded thee, will show to theeThou owest much through Karma unto him.Therefore thou shouldst petition LuciferThat he, the great Light-Bearer, should allowCapesius to guard thee on the Earth.Thou knowest through thy wisdom well enoughWhat thou canst do for him, so that he mayBe led again to thee in later livesSo that through thee the debt may be wiped out.Maria:And so this duty which I hold so dearMust be fulfilled through power from Lucifer?Capesius:Thou dost desire this duty to fulfil,And that can only be through Lucifer.Look! Here he comes, the Spirit of the Light.(Lucifer appears and, in the course of his speech, Benedictus.)Lucifer:Maria, thou art asking at my throneSelf-knowledge for that very human soulWho standeth near thee in the life on Earth.It cannot learn to know itself arightExcept by gazing deep into myself;And that it will achieve without thine aid.How canst thou think that I would grant to theeAll that thou mayst desire for this thy friend?Thou namest Benedictus as thy guide,Who is my strong opponent on the Earth,Lending unto mine enemies his strength.Already hath he stolen much from me.Johannes cut himself adrift from himAnd placed himself beneath my guiding hand.He cannot yet indeed see my true selfBecause he hath not yet the seer’s full power.He will attain it later through myself,And then he will entirely be mine own.But I command thee not to speak a wordThat might apply to him in any waySo long as thou dost stand before my throne.Any such word would burn me in this place.Here words are deeds, and deeds must follow them;But what might follow—from such words of thine—It must not be——Benedictus:It must not be——Thou must give ear to her.For where words have an equal power with deedsThey come in consequence of former deeds.The deed is done that conquers Lucifer.Maria is my spirit-pupil true.I could direct her to that point, whence sheCould recognize the highest spirit-task,Which same she will most certainly fulfil.And in fulfilling it she will for sureBuild in Johannes power and balm to heal,Which will release him from thy kingdom’s grip.Maria carries deep within her soulA solemn holy vow which doth awakeSuch healing powers in progress of the worlds.Soon wilt thou hear all this put into words,But if with powerful thought thou wouldst suppressAnd veil the rays of light through which thou gainstThe magic power to strive against, and winThe victory o’er all that selfhood means,I think that then thou’lt glimpse the healing rays,Which will in future shine with such a strengthThat they will draw Johannes to their realm,By their all-powerful love.Maria:By their all-powerful love.Johannes soonWill here appear; and yet in such a formAs earthly souls would recognize as theirs,Will come that being, who within the manLies hid as dual personality.And if Johannes could but recognizeThee as thou seemest to his earthly formIt could not bring to him all he requiresTo help him in the progress of his soul.Thou shalt vouchsafe to him this double nowFor him to use upon those spirit-pathsO’er which I shall in future guide his steps.Lucifer:Johannes then must stand before me now.I feel full well the power which comes from thee;It hath opposed me since the Earth began.(Enter Johannes Thomasius and his Etheric Counterpart from different sides of the stage at the same moment, and meet face to face.)Thomasius:O mine own Likeness, up till now thou hastShown thyself to me only that I mightBe frightened at the sight of mine own self.I cannot understand thee much as yet;I only know that thou dost guide my soul.’Tis thou then who dost baulk me of free lifeAnd dost prevent me from due cognizanceOf what I really am. Now must I hearThee speak in front of Lucifer, to seeWhat I in future years shall yet achieve.Thomasius’ Double:’Tis true I often was allowed to comeAnd bring Johannes knowledge of himself.But I could only work in those soul depths,Which still are hidden from his consciousness.My life within him hath for some long timeBeen subject to considerable change.Maria used to stand close to his side.He thought her bound in spirit to himself;I showed him that the true guides of his soulWere only passion and impulsiveness.He could but think of this as some reproach,But thou couldst show, O Light-Bearer sublime,To sensual tendencies the way by whichThey best might serve the spirit-purposes.Johannes from Maria had to part,And give himself forthwith to earnest thoughtWhich hath the power to purify men’s souls.What from his purity of thought streamed forthFlowed also into me, and I was changed.I felt his purity within myself.Nought need he fear from me, if he should nowFeel once more drawn toward Maria’s soul.But he belongs, as yet, to thy domain,And at this moment I demand him back.For he could now experience myself,Unless thou will’st to misdirect his sense.He needs me now, that from me there may flowInto his thought with mighty conscious strengthBoth warmth of soul and also power of heart.Then once more shall he find himself as man.Lucifer:I count thy striving good. Yet can I notGrant to thee all that thou dost ask of me.For should I give thee to Johannes nowIn that same form wherein in former yearsThou didst appear before his mind and soul,He would at present only give his loveTo thinking and to knowledge cold and bare;And all warm individualityWould seem unfeeling, meaningless and dead.It is not thus my power must fashion him.Through me he must discover in himselfHis living personality and self.I must transform thee, if the thing that’s rightShall come forth for his health and progress now.I have a long time since prepared for allThat now shall clearly show itself in thee.In future thou wilt seem another man.Johannes will no more Maria love,As he hath loved her in the days gone by.Yet none the less he’ll love, with all the strengthAnd all the passion he once gave to her.Benedictus:The glorious work in which we’ve gained successThou wouldst now turn unto thine own account.Thou hast Johannes through his power of heartMarked for thine own one day; and yet thou seestThat thou must make the fetters stronger stillIf thou wouldst keep his being for thyself.His heart will be beneath his spirit’s rule—If that is so then all the knowledge-workWhich he on Earth accomplished, must be giv’nIn future, for their own, to those great PowersWhich thou hast fought against since Time began.If thou succeed’st in lowering that loveWhich now Johannes for Maria feelsAnd changing it by cunning to the lustWhich thou dost now require for thine own ends,Then will he turn the good he did on Earth,To evil ends from out the Spirit-worlds.Maria:Then he may yet be saved? ’Tis not decreedThat he must fall a victim to the powersThat want to gain his work now for themselves?Benedictus:It would be so if all the Powers remainedJust as at present they have formed themselves;But if at the right hour thou dost allowThy vow to take effect in thine own soulThose powers must change their course in future times.Lucifer:So work, compelling powers,Ye elemental sprites,Feel now your Master’s power;And smooth for me the way,That leads from realms of EarthThat so there may draw nearTo Lucifer’s domainWhate’er my wish desiresWhate’er obeys my will.(Theodora appears.)Theodora:Who calleth me to realms so strange to me?I like it not, unless the world of godsReveals itself in love unto my soul,And glowing warmth entwining round my heartDraws spirit-speech from out mine inmost soul.Thomasius’ Double:Ah, how thou dost transform my very life!Thou hast appeared, and here am I, a manWho now can only work when filled by thee.Johannes shall, through me, be now thine own,And from henceforward thou shalt have the loveWhich once so fearful and so radiantWas wrested for Maria from his heart.He saw thee years ago, but did not thenFeel all the warmth of love which was to growIn secret in the depths of his own soul.Now it will rise, and fill him full of power,And turn his thoughts entirely to thyself.Benedictus:The crucial moment is arriving now,His strongest power hath Lucifer let loose:Maria, all the training of thy soulThou must put forth in strength to vanquish him.Maria:O Bearer of that Light, which would confineLove only to the service of the self;Thou hast from Earth’s beginning granted menKnowledge, when they, still guided by the gods,Obeyed the spirit, knowing nought of self.But since that time each soul of man hath beenThe place in which thou fightest ’gainst the gods.Yet now the times are coming, which must bringDestruction on thyself and on thy realms.A thinker bold was able to releaseScience from all thy gifts in such a wayThat unto mankind’s gods it gave itself.But thou dost try once more to get the powers,Which for the gods are destined, for thyself.Because Johannes through his work hath nowDeprived thee of that knowledge, with whose fruitThou from the first deceived’st all mankind,So now thou would’st deceive him, through that loveWhich, should he follow out his destined pathFor Theodora he should never feel.Thou fain wouldst conquer Wisdom now by Love,As once ’gainst Love thou didst by Wisdom fight.But know full well that in Maria’s heart,With which she now opposeth thy designs,The spirit-pupilship hath planted powersTo keep far off, for ever, all self-loveFrom Knowledge. Never from this hour will IAllow myself to be possessed by joySuch as men feel when thoughts grow ripe within.I’ll steel my heart to serve as sacrificeSo that my mind can always only thinkIn such a way that through my thoughts I mayOffer the fruits of Knowledge to the gods.My sacred service shall such Knowledge be,And what I thus effect within myselfShall o’er Johannes powerfully outstream,And oft, in future, when within his heartThese words are whispered from thyself to him:‘Man’s human nature shall through love find outWhat gives strength to his personality.’Then shall my heart this powerful answer give:‘Once didst thou hear these words, when Earth began,And there didst show forth signs ofWisdom’sfruit,“The fruits of love can only come to manWhen they are brought to him from realms divine.” ’Lucifer:I mean to fight.Benedictus:I mean to fight.And fighting, serve the gods.CurtainScene 4A cheerful pink room in the home of Strader and his wife Theodora. One notices by the arrangement that they use it as a room in common, where they carry on their various works. On his table there are mechanical models; on hers things to do with mystic studies. The two are holding a conversation which shows that they are absorbed in the fact that it is the seventh anniversary of their wedding day.Strader:’Tisseven years today since thou becam’stThe loved and dear companion of my lifeAnd also unto me a source of light,Which shone upon a life which formerlyWas threatened only with approaching dark.In spirit-life I was a starving manWhen thou didst first stand at my side and giveThat which the world had aye withheld from me.For long years had I striven earnestlyTo probe the depths of science with my mindAnd find the worth of life and goal of man.One day I clearly had to recognizeThat all this striving had been quite in vainHadst thou not shown that man’s spirit seeksHow to reveal itself through certain thingsWhich shunned my knowledge and my eager thought.I met thee then amongst that companyWhere Benedictus was the guide of all,And listened to thy revelations there.Later I saw how in ThomasiusThe spirit-pupilship could work with powerWithin the human soul. What thus I sawRobbed me of faith in science and good sense,And yet it showed me nothing at that timeWhich really seemed to me intelligent.I turned away from all the realm of thoughtAnd went on living in an aimless waySince life had ceased to be of worth to me.I gave myself to technique that it mightBring me oblivion and forgetfulness,And lived a life of torment, till once moreI met thee, for the second time; and thenOur friendship soon grew deep and ripe for love.Theodora:It is but natural, that on this dayRemembranceof those old times should againStand out so vividly before thy soul.I also feel a need in mine own heartTo look back once again upon those daysWhen we were drawn together in life’s bond.I felt the constant strengthening at that timeWithin me of the power which made my soulAble for knowledge from the spirit-worlds.And under Felix Balde’s noble leadThis power grew on thenceforward to that heightAt which it stood just seven years ago.About that time I met CapesiusOne day in Felix’ lovely woodland home.A long life had he spent in deep researchAnd won his way to spirit-pupilship.He greatly wished to be allowed to learnMy way of gazing on the spirit-world.So after that I spent much time with him.And in his house I chanced to meet with theeAnd could bring healing to thy mental wounds.Strader:And then the true light shone into my soulWhich long had only gazed upon the dark.I saw at last what spirit is, in truth.Thou ledd’st me on in such a way to seeWhat was disclosed to thee from higher worlds,That every doubt might swiftly disappear.All this at that time worked so much on meThat first I thought of thee as nothing elseExcept a medium for the spirit’s work.It was a long while e’er I recognizedThat not my mind alone hung on thy words,Which did reveal to it its true abode;But that my heart was taken captive tooAnd could no longer live without thee near.Theodora:Then didst thou tell me that which thou didst feelAnd all thy words were in so strange a form;It seemed as if thou never hadst one thoughtThat all the longing dwelling in thy heartCould even hope it might be satisfied.Thy words showed clearly that it was adviceThat thou wast seeking from thy sister-soul.Thou spakst of help which thou didst then requireAnd of the strengthening of thy powers of soulWhich otherwise must keep thee prison-bound.Strader:That my soul’s messenger could be by fateDestined to be companion of my lifeLay very far from all I had in mindWhen, seeking help, I showed my heart to thee.Theodora:And yet those very words which cut adriftThy heart from mine at first, soon went to proveThat all of this could not be otherwise—Hearts often have to point the way to fate.Strader:And when thy heart pronounced the fateful wordMy soul was flooded o’er with waves of lifeWhich, though I could not feel, I knew were there;’Twas not till late, when my memoryRose from the depths of my subconscious soul,That they fulfilled themselves in rays of light.I could know all, from what my mem’ry taught,But could not live it then, because so muchStill held me far apart from spirit-life.’Twas then indeed I first became awareOf spirit in close contact with my soul.Ne’er have I felt like that again; and yetThat knowledge gave to me a certaintyThat hath illuminated all my life.And then flowed on these seven wondrous years.I learned to feel how e’en mechanic skillWhich now I study, is enriched by soulsWhose attitude t’ward spirit-life is right.’Twas through the spirit-power which thou couldst giveAnd which made such demands upon my lifeThat I was able to look out beyondThe strife for power, and thence quite suddenlyAs if it had been prompted, there appearedBefore my wondering spirit that new workFrom which we now may dare to hope so muchAnd in thy light I felt within my soulThe full awakening of all those powersWhich would have perished, had I lived alone.This certainty of life which I had wonLet me stand upright then, just at that timeWhen, in such startling wise, ThomasiusCondemned before the Rose Cross brotherhoodThe work of his own brain, and cast himselfAdrift, with judgment hard, just at that hourWhich could have brought him to his life’s full height.This inner certainty could hold me fastWhen all the outer world seemed to revealNaught but a mass of contradicting facts.Through thee alone have I gained all this power.The spirit-revelation which thou gav’stBrought me the sense of knowledge I had won;And when the revelation came no moreThou still didst stay my strength and light of soul.Theodora(in a broken sentence, as if meditating deeply):Then when the revelation came no more …Strader:’Tis that which often made me sorrowful.I wondered if ’twere not deep pain to theeTo lose thy seeress’ power of second-sight,And whether thou didst suffer silently,Lest I should grieve: and yet thy temperamentShowed thou couldst bear with calmness fate’s decree.But lately thou hast seemed to me to change,Joy no more streams from thee as heretoforeAnd thine eye’s glowing light begins to fade.Theodora:Indeed it could not be deep pain to meWhen spirit-revelation disappeared.My fate had only changed my way of life;Which I must needs accept with patience calm.But now ’tis born once more, and brings great grief.Strader:This is the first time in these seven yearsI cannot fathom Theodora’s mind;For each experience of spirit-lifeWas such a source of inward joy to thee.Theodora:Quite different is the revelation now.At first, as then, I feel myself constrainedTo drive away all thought that is mine own;But where, before, after some little timeWhen I achieved this inward emptinessA gentle light did hover round my soulAnd spirit-pictures wished to form themselves;There come now unseen feelings of disgust;Which come in such a way that I am sureThe power I feel within comes from without—Then fear I cannot banish pours itselfInto my life and governs all my soul—And gladly would I flee from that dread ShapeThat is invisible, and yet abhorred.It tries to reach me with its evil willAnd I can only hate what is revealed.Strader:With Theodora ’tis not possible.They say that what one thus lives through, is butThe mirrored working of one’s own soul-powers.Yet thy soul could not show such things as these.Theodora(painfully, slowly, as if reflecting):I know indeed that such ideas are held—Therefore with all the power that still was mineI sank into the spirit-world and prayedThat those same beings who so oft beforeWere kind to me, would graciously revealHow I could learn the cause of all my pain.(Now follow in broken words):And then … the shining Light … came … as beforeAnd formed … the image … of an earthly man.…It was … Thomasius …Strader(painfully, overcome by the quick inrush of feelings):It was ... Thomasius… Thomasius …The man in whom I always have believed …(Pause, then meditating painfully.)When I again recall before my soulHow he behaved towards the Mystic League …How of himself and Ahriman he spake——(Theodora is lost in contemplation, and stares blankly into space, as if her spirit were absent.)Strader:O Theodora … what dost thou … see now.…CurtainScene 5A round room in the little house in the wood, described in the “Soul’s Probation,” as Felix Balde’s home. Dame Balde, Felix Balde, Capesius, Strader, are seen seated at a table on the left of the stage. Later appears the Soul of Theodora. The room is the natural colour of the wood and has two pretty arched windows.Dame Balde:We shall not know again her beauteous selfNor feel her radiant nature till we tooShall reach some day the world to which she hathSo early from our sight been stol’n away.A few short weeks ago we still could hearWith joy in this our house the graciousnessThat streamed so warmly through her every word.Felix Balde:We both, my wife Felicia, and myself,Loved her indeed from out our inmost soul,So can we share and understand thy grief.Strader:Dear Theodora, she so often spokeThroughout the last hours of her life on earthOf Dame Felicia and of Felix too;She was so closely intimate with allThat life brought to you here from day to day.Now must I grope my further path alone.She was the sum and meaning of my life.And what she gave, can never die for me.And yet—she is not here——Felix Balde:And yet—she is not here——Yet can we stillWith thee send out our loving thoughts to herInto the spirit-worlds, and thus uniteHer soul with ours through all the days to come.But, I must own, it was a shock to usWhen we were told her life on Earth was o’er.These many years there hath been granted meA gift of insight which doth often showIn unexpected moments quite unsoughtWhat inward strength doth lie in all men’s lives;In her case hath this gift deceived me sore.For ne’er indeed could I think otherwise,Except that Theodora would be sparedTo spend on Earth for many years as yetThat love through which she hath in joy and griefShown herself helpful to so many men.Strader:’Tis very strange how all hath come to pass;As long as I have known her, had she livedEver the same sound healthy mode of life.But since the time she first became awareOf Something strange, unknown, that threatened herAnd tried to enter and oppress her mind;Her senses clouded over more and moreAnd suffering poured itself through all her life.Her body’s powers were sapped, as one could seeBy some great struggle in her inmost soul.She told me, when in my anxiety,—I plied her oft with many questionings—She felt herself exposed to fearful thoughtsWhich frightened her and worked like fire within.And what she said besides—’tis terrible,For when she rallied all her powers of thoughtTo find the cause of all this sufferingThere always came before her spirit’s gazeThomasius … whom we both honoured so,And yet from this impression aye remainedThe strongest feelings which spake clear to herThat she had cause to fear Thomasius.Capesius(spoken as in a trance):According to the strict decree of FateThomasius and Theodora ne’erCould meet in earthly passion in this life.’Twould be indeed opposed to cosmic lawsIf one desired to make the other feelAught that was not on spirit only based.Within his heart Thomasius doth breakThe stern decree of mighty powers of Fate:That he should never harbour in his soulThoughts that might bring to Theodora harm.For he doth feel what he ought not to feelAnd, through his disobedience he doth formE’en now the powers which can deliver o’erHis future life unto the realms of dark.When Theodora had been forced to comeTo Lucifer, she learnt unconsciouslyThat through the Light-bearer, ThomasiusWas filled with sensual passion for herself.Maria, who had been by Fate’s decreeEntrusted with Thomasius’ spirit-life,And Theodora, at the same time metWithin that realm which fights against the gods—Maria from Thomasius had to part,And he through strength of this false love was forcedTo be in bondage unto Lucifer.What Theodora thus experiencedBecame consuming fire within her soulAnd working further caused her all this pain.Strader:Oh tell us, Father Felix, what this means.Capesius speaks in such a manner strangeOf things which are incomprehensible;And yet they fill my soul with dread and fear.Felix Balde:Capesius, when treading o’er the path,Which he hath found most needful for his soulLearns ever more and more to exerciseThose special gifts of spirit which are his;His spirit lives in touch with higher worldsAnd passeth by unnoticed all those thingsThrough which the senses speak unto the soul.’Tis but by habit that he doth performAll that hath been his custom in this life.He ever tried to visit his old friendsAnd likes to while away long hours with them,And yet whenever he is at their sideHis being seems in meditation lost.But what he sees in spirit aye is trueSo far as mine own searching of the soulCan testify to proving of the truth.And therefore in this case I do believeThat owing to these spirit-gifts, he couldPerceive within the depths of his own soulThe truth of Theodora’s destiny.Dame Balde:It is so strange, he never noticesWhat those around him may be speaking of;It seems his soul is from his body loosedAnd gazeth only on the spirit-world;And yet some word will often bring him backOut of this strange abstraction, and he’ll tellOf things that seem to come from spirit-realmsAnd somehow be connected with that word.Apart from that whatever one may sayMakes no impression on his mind at all.Strader:Ah! if he speaks the truth—how horrible—(Theodora’s Soul appears.)Theodora’s Soul:Capesius hath been allowed to knowOf my existence in the spirit-world:It is the truth which he makes known to you.We must not let Thomasius transgress:Maria hath already set alightThe sacrifice of love in her strong heart;And Theodora from the spirit-heightsWill send out rays of blessing from Love’s power.Felix Balde:Dear Strader, thou must now be calm and still;She wants to speak to thee; I understandThe signs she gives to us: so now attend.Theodora(after making a movement with her hand towards Strader):Thomasius possesseth second sight;And he will find me in the spirit-realms.This must not be until he is set freeFrom earthly passion in his search for me.In future he will also need thy help,And that is what I now request of thee.Strader:My Theodora, who dost even nowTurn to me as of old in love, say onWhat thou desirest, and it shall be done.(Theodora makes a sign towards Capesius.)Felix Balde:That shows she cannot now say any more,But wisheth us to hear Capesius speak.(Theodora vanishes.)Capesius(as in a trance):Thomasius can Theodora see,If he doth choose to use his spirit-eyes.Therefore her death will not destroy in himThis passion which is harmful to himself.Yet will he have to act quite otherwiseThan he would act if Theodora stillLived in the body on this earth of ours.He will with passion strive toward the lightWhich is revealed to her from spirit-heightsAlthough she hath no consciousness of earth.Thomasius is set to win that lightThat through him Lucifer may gain it too.This light divine would then help LuciferTo keep for evermore within his realmThe knowledge which Thomasius acquiredAnd won for his own use through earthly power.For Lucifer, since first the Earth beganHath ever sought for men who have acquiredWisdom divine through instincts that were false.He wills now to unite pure spirit-sightWith human knowledge, which, if treated thusWould turn to evil, though ’twere good itself.Thomasius however even nowMay be turned back from this his evil way,If Strader gives himself to certain aimsWhich shall in future spiritually guideAll human knowledge, that it may approachAnd join itself to knowledge that’s divine.If he would have these aims revealed, he mustAs pupil unto Benedictus turn.(Pause.)Strader(to Felix Balde):O father Felix, give me thine advice.Hath Theodora really trusted thisUnto Capesius to tell to me?Felix Balde:These last few days I have most earnestlyHeld converse often with mine inmost selfTo try and to clear my thoughts about this man.Gladly I’ll tell thee all I know myself.Capesius is living in true wiseThe life of spirit-pupilship, althoughFrom his behaviour it seems otherwise.He is already destined by his fateMuch to accomplish in the spirit-life.And only can fulfil the duties highTo which his soul hath been already calledIf he prepares his spirit for them now.And yet it lay quite near his nature too,Instead of seeking light on spirit-paths,Unto false science to devote himself,Which can just now make blind so many souls.The solemn Guardian on the Threshold grim,Which marks the world of sense from spirit-worlds,Had duties of a most especial kindWhen to the gate Capesius found his way.To such an earnest seeker must the gateNeeds open, but behind him shut at once.The means he used in former times to winPower for himself within the world of senseCould no more help him in the spirit-realms.He best prepares himself for service highWhich he one day must render to mankindWhen he ignores our presence and our talk.Dame Balde:There is but one thing he still notices.I mean the stories that I used to tellSo often to him and through which he feltRefreshed and reawakened to new thoughtWhen his soul seemed bereft of all ideas.Capesius:Such stories find their way to spirit-landsIf in the spirit also they are told.Dame Balde:Then, if I can collect myself enoughTo speak my stories out within myselfI’ll think of thee with love: so that they thenMay also in the spirit-land be heard.Curtain

In Lucifer’s kingdom. A space which is not enclosed by artificial walls, but by fantastic forms which resemble plants, animals, etc. All in various brilliant shades of red. In the background are arranged three transparencies showing the top of Raphael’s ‘Disputa,’ Leonardo’s ‘Last Supper,’ and Raphael’s ‘School of Athens.’ These are illuminated from the back of the stage whenever Maria or Benedictus challenges Lucifer. At other times they are invisible. On the right, Lucifer’s throne. At first only the souls of Capesius and Maria are present. After a time Lucifer appears, and later on Benedictus and Thomasius, with his etheric counterpart or ‘double,’ and lastly, Theodora.

Maria:Thou, who within the realm of sense art namedCapesius, I wonder why it isThou art the being whom I meet the firstIn Lucifer’s domain: ’tis dangerousWhen spirits of this place blow round one’s head.

Maria:

Thou, who within the realm of sense art named

Capesius, I wonder why it is

Thou art the being whom I meet the first

In Lucifer’s domain: ’tis dangerous

When spirits of this place blow round one’s head.

Capesius(in astral garb):O speak not to me of CapesiusWho in the kingdom of the Earth erewhileStrove through a life which he hath long since knownWas but a dream. Whilst there be bent his mindUpon such things as ever come to passAs time streams on. And he had set himselfIn that way to discover all the powersThrough which mankind fulfils its spirit-life.What thus he came to know about those powersHe tried to keep deep fastened in his soul.Now only in this realm one understandsTo judge aright the knowledge he pursued.He thought the pictures he possessed were trueAnd could reveal to him reality;But, viewed from here, they clearly show themselvesAs naught but empty dreams, which Spirit-handsHave woven round about weak men of Earth.They cannot bear the cold clear light of truth.They would be utterly afraid and stunnedIf they should learn how all the course of lifeIs turned by spirits after their ideas.

Capesius(in astral garb):

O speak not to me of Capesius

Who in the kingdom of the Earth erewhile

Strove through a life which he hath long since known

Was but a dream. Whilst there be bent his mind

Upon such things as ever come to pass

As time streams on. And he had set himself

In that way to discover all the powers

Through which mankind fulfils its spirit-life.

What thus he came to know about those powers

He tried to keep deep fastened in his soul.

Now only in this realm one understands

To judge aright the knowledge he pursued.

He thought the pictures he possessed were true

And could reveal to him reality;

But, viewed from here, they clearly show themselves

As naught but empty dreams, which Spirit-hands

Have woven round about weak men of Earth.

They cannot bear the cold clear light of truth.

They would be utterly afraid and stunned

If they should learn how all the course of life

Is turned by spirits after their ideas.

Maria:Thou speakest as I’ve only heard those speakWho ne’er have been incarnate on the Earth.They tell you Earth hath no significance,That in the universe its work is small.But he who hath belonged to realms of EarthAnd owes to it the best powers that he hath,Will have a different tale to tell thereof.He finds important many threads of fateWhich bind Earth’s life to that of all the worlds.E’en Lucifer who works here with such powerMust keep his gaze fixed fast upon the Earth,And seek to turn men’s deeds in such a wayThat their results may ripen his own soul.He knows he’d fall a victim to the darkIf he could find no booty on the Earth,And so his fate is bound up with that sphere.So too, with those who dwell in other worlds.And when the human soul can clearly seeThe cosmic goal, which Lucifer desires,And can compare with it what those powers wishWho have him as opponent to their aims,Then will she know that he can be destroyedThrough conquests which she gains o’er her own self.

Maria:

Thou speakest as I’ve only heard those speak

Who ne’er have been incarnate on the Earth.

They tell you Earth hath no significance,

That in the universe its work is small.

But he who hath belonged to realms of Earth

And owes to it the best powers that he hath,

Will have a different tale to tell thereof.

He finds important many threads of fate

Which bind Earth’s life to that of all the worlds.

E’en Lucifer who works here with such power

Must keep his gaze fixed fast upon the Earth,

And seek to turn men’s deeds in such a way

That their results may ripen his own soul.

He knows he’d fall a victim to the dark

If he could find no booty on the Earth,

And so his fate is bound up with that sphere.

So too, with those who dwell in other worlds.

And when the human soul can clearly see

The cosmic goal, which Lucifer desires,

And can compare with it what those powers wish

Who have him as opponent to their aims,

Then will she know that he can be destroyed

Through conquests which she gains o’er her own self.

Capesius:The human being who here talks with theeThinks that fate dreadful, which compels him nowTo wear a body round him; which hath yetThe breath of life and keeps its earthly form,Although the spirit hath no more control.At such a time this spirit feels indeedThat worlds, he values, fall at one fierce blow.He feels himself within a prison-houseNarrow and horrible with naught all round.Remembrance of the life that he passed throughSeems, as it were, extinguished from his soul.At times he feels aware of human souls,But what they say he cannot understand;He only catches some especial wordsWhich lift themselves from out the general talk,And bring remembrance of the lovelinessWhich he can gaze on in the Spirit-realms.He’s in his body then, and yet is not;And lives within himself a life he fearsWhen he beholds it from this region here:And he is longing for the time to comeWhen from this body he will be set free.

Capesius:

The human being who here talks with thee

Thinks that fate dreadful, which compels him now

To wear a body round him; which hath yet

The breath of life and keeps its earthly form,

Although the spirit hath no more control.

At such a time this spirit feels indeed

That worlds, he values, fall at one fierce blow.

He feels himself within a prison-house

Narrow and horrible with naught all round.

Remembrance of the life that he passed through

Seems, as it were, extinguished from his soul.

At times he feels aware of human souls,

But what they say he cannot understand;

He only catches some especial words

Which lift themselves from out the general talk,

And bring remembrance of the loveliness

Which he can gaze on in the Spirit-realms.

He’s in his body then, and yet is not;

And lives within himself a life he fears

When he beholds it from this region here:

And he is longing for the time to come

When from this body he will be set free.

Maria:The body which is proper to Earth-soulsBears in itself the means to recreateIn lofty pictures loveliness sublime:Which pictures, even if their substance nowSeems but a shadow in the human soul,Are yet the buds which in the future worldsWill open out to blossom and to fruit.So through his body man may serve the gods.And his soul’s life doth show in its true lightOnly when in his body he doth findThe power to give his “I” reality.

Maria:

The body which is proper to Earth-souls

Bears in itself the means to recreate

In lofty pictures loveliness sublime:

Which pictures, even if their substance now

Seems but a shadow in the human soul,

Are yet the buds which in the future worlds

Will open out to blossom and to fruit.

So through his body man may serve the gods.

And his soul’s life doth show in its true light

Only when in his body he doth find

The power to give his “I” reality.

Capesius:Ah, utter not that word in front of himWho stands before thee now in Spirit-realmsAnd on the Earth is called Capesius.He fain would flee away when that word sounds,So fierce it burns him here.

Capesius:

Ah, utter not that word in front of him

Who stands before thee now in Spirit-realms

And on the Earth is called Capesius.

He fain would flee away when that word sounds,

So fierce it burns him here.

Maria:So fierce it burns him here.So thou dost hateThat which first gives true being unto men?How canst thou come to live within this realmIf so appalling seems that word to thee?For no one can arrive as far as thisWho hath not faced the nature of that word.

Maria:

So fierce it burns him here.So thou dost hate

That which first gives true being unto men?

How canst thou come to live within this realm

If so appalling seems that word to thee?

For no one can arrive as far as this

Who hath not faced the nature of that word.

Capesius:He who appears to thee hath often stoodBefore great Lucifer who rules this realm.And Lucifer hath made it clear to himThat only souls, who consciously make useOf powers that from their earthly bodies come,Can harm the realm which doth obey his will.Those souls however who go through their lifeWithin the body, as it were in swoon,And yet already have clairvoyant power,These only learn in Lucifer’s domain,And cannot cause it harm in any way.

Capesius:

He who appears to thee hath often stood

Before great Lucifer who rules this realm.

And Lucifer hath made it clear to him

That only souls, who consciously make use

Of powers that from their earthly bodies come,

Can harm the realm which doth obey his will.

Those souls however who go through their life

Within the body, as it were in swoon,

And yet already have clairvoyant power,

These only learn in Lucifer’s domain,

And cannot cause it harm in any way.

Maria:I know that in these realms of Spirit-life’Tis not by words, but sight, that one doth learn.What in this moment I have come to seeBecause of thine appearance to me here,Will later show itself within my soulAs progress in my spirit-pupilship.

Maria:

I know that in these realms of Spirit-life

’Tis not by words, but sight, that one doth learn.

What in this moment I have come to see

Because of thine appearance to me here,

Will later show itself within my soul

As progress in my spirit-pupilship.

Capesius:Here ’tis not only teaching that one gains;Duties are also shown one in this place.Thou hast here spoken with the soul of himWho calls himself Capesius on earth.The spirit-glances into former livesThat are accorded thee, will show to theeThou owest much through Karma unto him.Therefore thou shouldst petition LuciferThat he, the great Light-Bearer, should allowCapesius to guard thee on the Earth.Thou knowest through thy wisdom well enoughWhat thou canst do for him, so that he mayBe led again to thee in later livesSo that through thee the debt may be wiped out.

Capesius:

Here ’tis not only teaching that one gains;

Duties are also shown one in this place.

Thou hast here spoken with the soul of him

Who calls himself Capesius on earth.

The spirit-glances into former lives

That are accorded thee, will show to thee

Thou owest much through Karma unto him.

Therefore thou shouldst petition Lucifer

That he, the great Light-Bearer, should allow

Capesius to guard thee on the Earth.

Thou knowest through thy wisdom well enough

What thou canst do for him, so that he may

Be led again to thee in later lives

So that through thee the debt may be wiped out.

Maria:And so this duty which I hold so dearMust be fulfilled through power from Lucifer?

Maria:

And so this duty which I hold so dear

Must be fulfilled through power from Lucifer?

Capesius:Thou dost desire this duty to fulfil,And that can only be through Lucifer.Look! Here he comes, the Spirit of the Light.

Capesius:

Thou dost desire this duty to fulfil,

And that can only be through Lucifer.

Look! Here he comes, the Spirit of the Light.

(Lucifer appears and, in the course of his speech, Benedictus.)

Lucifer:Maria, thou art asking at my throneSelf-knowledge for that very human soulWho standeth near thee in the life on Earth.It cannot learn to know itself arightExcept by gazing deep into myself;And that it will achieve without thine aid.How canst thou think that I would grant to theeAll that thou mayst desire for this thy friend?Thou namest Benedictus as thy guide,Who is my strong opponent on the Earth,Lending unto mine enemies his strength.Already hath he stolen much from me.Johannes cut himself adrift from himAnd placed himself beneath my guiding hand.He cannot yet indeed see my true selfBecause he hath not yet the seer’s full power.He will attain it later through myself,And then he will entirely be mine own.But I command thee not to speak a wordThat might apply to him in any waySo long as thou dost stand before my throne.Any such word would burn me in this place.Here words are deeds, and deeds must follow them;But what might follow—from such words of thine—It must not be——

Lucifer:

Maria, thou art asking at my throne

Self-knowledge for that very human soul

Who standeth near thee in the life on Earth.

It cannot learn to know itself aright

Except by gazing deep into myself;

And that it will achieve without thine aid.

How canst thou think that I would grant to thee

All that thou mayst desire for this thy friend?

Thou namest Benedictus as thy guide,

Who is my strong opponent on the Earth,

Lending unto mine enemies his strength.

Already hath he stolen much from me.

Johannes cut himself adrift from him

And placed himself beneath my guiding hand.

He cannot yet indeed see my true self

Because he hath not yet the seer’s full power.

He will attain it later through myself,

And then he will entirely be mine own.

But I command thee not to speak a word

That might apply to him in any way

So long as thou dost stand before my throne.

Any such word would burn me in this place.

Here words are deeds, and deeds must follow them;

But what might follow—from such words of thine—

It must not be——

Benedictus:It must not be——Thou must give ear to her.For where words have an equal power with deedsThey come in consequence of former deeds.The deed is done that conquers Lucifer.Maria is my spirit-pupil true.I could direct her to that point, whence sheCould recognize the highest spirit-task,Which same she will most certainly fulfil.And in fulfilling it she will for sureBuild in Johannes power and balm to heal,Which will release him from thy kingdom’s grip.Maria carries deep within her soulA solemn holy vow which doth awakeSuch healing powers in progress of the worlds.Soon wilt thou hear all this put into words,But if with powerful thought thou wouldst suppressAnd veil the rays of light through which thou gainstThe magic power to strive against, and winThe victory o’er all that selfhood means,I think that then thou’lt glimpse the healing rays,Which will in future shine with such a strengthThat they will draw Johannes to their realm,By their all-powerful love.

Benedictus:

It must not be——Thou must give ear to her.

For where words have an equal power with deeds

They come in consequence of former deeds.

The deed is done that conquers Lucifer.

Maria is my spirit-pupil true.

I could direct her to that point, whence she

Could recognize the highest spirit-task,

Which same she will most certainly fulfil.

And in fulfilling it she will for sure

Build in Johannes power and balm to heal,

Which will release him from thy kingdom’s grip.

Maria carries deep within her soul

A solemn holy vow which doth awake

Such healing powers in progress of the worlds.

Soon wilt thou hear all this put into words,

But if with powerful thought thou wouldst suppress

And veil the rays of light through which thou gainst

The magic power to strive against, and win

The victory o’er all that selfhood means,

I think that then thou’lt glimpse the healing rays,

Which will in future shine with such a strength

That they will draw Johannes to their realm,

By their all-powerful love.

Maria:By their all-powerful love.Johannes soonWill here appear; and yet in such a formAs earthly souls would recognize as theirs,Will come that being, who within the manLies hid as dual personality.And if Johannes could but recognizeThee as thou seemest to his earthly formIt could not bring to him all he requiresTo help him in the progress of his soul.Thou shalt vouchsafe to him this double nowFor him to use upon those spirit-pathsO’er which I shall in future guide his steps.

Maria:

By their all-powerful love.Johannes soon

Will here appear; and yet in such a form

As earthly souls would recognize as theirs,

Will come that being, who within the man

Lies hid as dual personality.

And if Johannes could but recognize

Thee as thou seemest to his earthly form

It could not bring to him all he requires

To help him in the progress of his soul.

Thou shalt vouchsafe to him this double now

For him to use upon those spirit-paths

O’er which I shall in future guide his steps.

Lucifer:Johannes then must stand before me now.I feel full well the power which comes from thee;It hath opposed me since the Earth began.

Lucifer:

Johannes then must stand before me now.

I feel full well the power which comes from thee;

It hath opposed me since the Earth began.

(Enter Johannes Thomasius and his Etheric Counterpart from different sides of the stage at the same moment, and meet face to face.)

Thomasius:O mine own Likeness, up till now thou hastShown thyself to me only that I mightBe frightened at the sight of mine own self.I cannot understand thee much as yet;I only know that thou dost guide my soul.’Tis thou then who dost baulk me of free lifeAnd dost prevent me from due cognizanceOf what I really am. Now must I hearThee speak in front of Lucifer, to seeWhat I in future years shall yet achieve.

Thomasius:

O mine own Likeness, up till now thou hast

Shown thyself to me only that I might

Be frightened at the sight of mine own self.

I cannot understand thee much as yet;

I only know that thou dost guide my soul.

’Tis thou then who dost baulk me of free life

And dost prevent me from due cognizance

Of what I really am. Now must I hear

Thee speak in front of Lucifer, to see

What I in future years shall yet achieve.

Thomasius’ Double:’Tis true I often was allowed to comeAnd bring Johannes knowledge of himself.But I could only work in those soul depths,Which still are hidden from his consciousness.My life within him hath for some long timeBeen subject to considerable change.Maria used to stand close to his side.He thought her bound in spirit to himself;I showed him that the true guides of his soulWere only passion and impulsiveness.He could but think of this as some reproach,But thou couldst show, O Light-Bearer sublime,To sensual tendencies the way by whichThey best might serve the spirit-purposes.Johannes from Maria had to part,And give himself forthwith to earnest thoughtWhich hath the power to purify men’s souls.What from his purity of thought streamed forthFlowed also into me, and I was changed.I felt his purity within myself.Nought need he fear from me, if he should nowFeel once more drawn toward Maria’s soul.But he belongs, as yet, to thy domain,And at this moment I demand him back.For he could now experience myself,Unless thou will’st to misdirect his sense.He needs me now, that from me there may flowInto his thought with mighty conscious strengthBoth warmth of soul and also power of heart.Then once more shall he find himself as man.

Thomasius’ Double:

’Tis true I often was allowed to come

And bring Johannes knowledge of himself.

But I could only work in those soul depths,

Which still are hidden from his consciousness.

My life within him hath for some long time

Been subject to considerable change.

Maria used to stand close to his side.

He thought her bound in spirit to himself;

I showed him that the true guides of his soul

Were only passion and impulsiveness.

He could but think of this as some reproach,

But thou couldst show, O Light-Bearer sublime,

To sensual tendencies the way by which

They best might serve the spirit-purposes.

Johannes from Maria had to part,

And give himself forthwith to earnest thought

Which hath the power to purify men’s souls.

What from his purity of thought streamed forth

Flowed also into me, and I was changed.

I felt his purity within myself.

Nought need he fear from me, if he should now

Feel once more drawn toward Maria’s soul.

But he belongs, as yet, to thy domain,

And at this moment I demand him back.

For he could now experience myself,

Unless thou will’st to misdirect his sense.

He needs me now, that from me there may flow

Into his thought with mighty conscious strength

Both warmth of soul and also power of heart.

Then once more shall he find himself as man.

Lucifer:I count thy striving good. Yet can I notGrant to thee all that thou dost ask of me.For should I give thee to Johannes nowIn that same form wherein in former yearsThou didst appear before his mind and soul,He would at present only give his loveTo thinking and to knowledge cold and bare;And all warm individualityWould seem unfeeling, meaningless and dead.It is not thus my power must fashion him.Through me he must discover in himselfHis living personality and self.I must transform thee, if the thing that’s rightShall come forth for his health and progress now.I have a long time since prepared for allThat now shall clearly show itself in thee.In future thou wilt seem another man.Johannes will no more Maria love,As he hath loved her in the days gone by.Yet none the less he’ll love, with all the strengthAnd all the passion he once gave to her.

Lucifer:

I count thy striving good. Yet can I not

Grant to thee all that thou dost ask of me.

For should I give thee to Johannes now

In that same form wherein in former years

Thou didst appear before his mind and soul,

He would at present only give his love

To thinking and to knowledge cold and bare;

And all warm individuality

Would seem unfeeling, meaningless and dead.

It is not thus my power must fashion him.

Through me he must discover in himself

His living personality and self.

I must transform thee, if the thing that’s right

Shall come forth for his health and progress now.

I have a long time since prepared for all

That now shall clearly show itself in thee.

In future thou wilt seem another man.

Johannes will no more Maria love,

As he hath loved her in the days gone by.

Yet none the less he’ll love, with all the strength

And all the passion he once gave to her.

Benedictus:The glorious work in which we’ve gained successThou wouldst now turn unto thine own account.Thou hast Johannes through his power of heartMarked for thine own one day; and yet thou seestThat thou must make the fetters stronger stillIf thou wouldst keep his being for thyself.His heart will be beneath his spirit’s rule—If that is so then all the knowledge-workWhich he on Earth accomplished, must be giv’nIn future, for their own, to those great PowersWhich thou hast fought against since Time began.If thou succeed’st in lowering that loveWhich now Johannes for Maria feelsAnd changing it by cunning to the lustWhich thou dost now require for thine own ends,Then will he turn the good he did on Earth,To evil ends from out the Spirit-worlds.

Benedictus:

The glorious work in which we’ve gained success

Thou wouldst now turn unto thine own account.

Thou hast Johannes through his power of heart

Marked for thine own one day; and yet thou seest

That thou must make the fetters stronger still

If thou wouldst keep his being for thyself.

His heart will be beneath his spirit’s rule—

If that is so then all the knowledge-work

Which he on Earth accomplished, must be giv’n

In future, for their own, to those great Powers

Which thou hast fought against since Time began.

If thou succeed’st in lowering that love

Which now Johannes for Maria feels

And changing it by cunning to the lust

Which thou dost now require for thine own ends,

Then will he turn the good he did on Earth,

To evil ends from out the Spirit-worlds.

Maria:Then he may yet be saved? ’Tis not decreedThat he must fall a victim to the powersThat want to gain his work now for themselves?

Maria:

Then he may yet be saved? ’Tis not decreed

That he must fall a victim to the powers

That want to gain his work now for themselves?

Benedictus:It would be so if all the Powers remainedJust as at present they have formed themselves;But if at the right hour thou dost allowThy vow to take effect in thine own soulThose powers must change their course in future times.

Benedictus:

It would be so if all the Powers remained

Just as at present they have formed themselves;

But if at the right hour thou dost allow

Thy vow to take effect in thine own soul

Those powers must change their course in future times.

Lucifer:So work, compelling powers,Ye elemental sprites,Feel now your Master’s power;And smooth for me the way,That leads from realms of EarthThat so there may draw nearTo Lucifer’s domainWhate’er my wish desiresWhate’er obeys my will.

Lucifer:

So work, compelling powers,

Ye elemental sprites,

Feel now your Master’s power;

And smooth for me the way,

That leads from realms of Earth

That so there may draw near

To Lucifer’s domain

Whate’er my wish desires

Whate’er obeys my will.

(Theodora appears.)

Theodora:Who calleth me to realms so strange to me?I like it not, unless the world of godsReveals itself in love unto my soul,And glowing warmth entwining round my heartDraws spirit-speech from out mine inmost soul.

Theodora:

Who calleth me to realms so strange to me?

I like it not, unless the world of gods

Reveals itself in love unto my soul,

And glowing warmth entwining round my heart

Draws spirit-speech from out mine inmost soul.

Thomasius’ Double:Ah, how thou dost transform my very life!Thou hast appeared, and here am I, a manWho now can only work when filled by thee.Johannes shall, through me, be now thine own,And from henceforward thou shalt have the loveWhich once so fearful and so radiantWas wrested for Maria from his heart.He saw thee years ago, but did not thenFeel all the warmth of love which was to growIn secret in the depths of his own soul.Now it will rise, and fill him full of power,And turn his thoughts entirely to thyself.

Thomasius’ Double:

Ah, how thou dost transform my very life!

Thou hast appeared, and here am I, a man

Who now can only work when filled by thee.

Johannes shall, through me, be now thine own,

And from henceforward thou shalt have the love

Which once so fearful and so radiant

Was wrested for Maria from his heart.

He saw thee years ago, but did not then

Feel all the warmth of love which was to grow

In secret in the depths of his own soul.

Now it will rise, and fill him full of power,

And turn his thoughts entirely to thyself.

Benedictus:The crucial moment is arriving now,His strongest power hath Lucifer let loose:Maria, all the training of thy soulThou must put forth in strength to vanquish him.

Benedictus:

The crucial moment is arriving now,

His strongest power hath Lucifer let loose:

Maria, all the training of thy soul

Thou must put forth in strength to vanquish him.

Maria:O Bearer of that Light, which would confineLove only to the service of the self;Thou hast from Earth’s beginning granted menKnowledge, when they, still guided by the gods,Obeyed the spirit, knowing nought of self.But since that time each soul of man hath beenThe place in which thou fightest ’gainst the gods.Yet now the times are coming, which must bringDestruction on thyself and on thy realms.A thinker bold was able to releaseScience from all thy gifts in such a wayThat unto mankind’s gods it gave itself.But thou dost try once more to get the powers,Which for the gods are destined, for thyself.Because Johannes through his work hath nowDeprived thee of that knowledge, with whose fruitThou from the first deceived’st all mankind,So now thou would’st deceive him, through that loveWhich, should he follow out his destined pathFor Theodora he should never feel.Thou fain wouldst conquer Wisdom now by Love,As once ’gainst Love thou didst by Wisdom fight.But know full well that in Maria’s heart,With which she now opposeth thy designs,The spirit-pupilship hath planted powersTo keep far off, for ever, all self-loveFrom Knowledge. Never from this hour will IAllow myself to be possessed by joySuch as men feel when thoughts grow ripe within.I’ll steel my heart to serve as sacrificeSo that my mind can always only thinkIn such a way that through my thoughts I mayOffer the fruits of Knowledge to the gods.My sacred service shall such Knowledge be,And what I thus effect within myselfShall o’er Johannes powerfully outstream,And oft, in future, when within his heartThese words are whispered from thyself to him:‘Man’s human nature shall through love find outWhat gives strength to his personality.’Then shall my heart this powerful answer give:‘Once didst thou hear these words, when Earth began,And there didst show forth signs ofWisdom’sfruit,“The fruits of love can only come to manWhen they are brought to him from realms divine.” ’

Maria:

O Bearer of that Light, which would confine

Love only to the service of the self;

Thou hast from Earth’s beginning granted men

Knowledge, when they, still guided by the gods,

Obeyed the spirit, knowing nought of self.

But since that time each soul of man hath been

The place in which thou fightest ’gainst the gods.

Yet now the times are coming, which must bring

Destruction on thyself and on thy realms.

A thinker bold was able to release

Science from all thy gifts in such a way

That unto mankind’s gods it gave itself.

But thou dost try once more to get the powers,

Which for the gods are destined, for thyself.

Because Johannes through his work hath now

Deprived thee of that knowledge, with whose fruit

Thou from the first deceived’st all mankind,

So now thou would’st deceive him, through that love

Which, should he follow out his destined path

For Theodora he should never feel.

Thou fain wouldst conquer Wisdom now by Love,

As once ’gainst Love thou didst by Wisdom fight.

But know full well that in Maria’s heart,

With which she now opposeth thy designs,

The spirit-pupilship hath planted powers

To keep far off, for ever, all self-love

From Knowledge. Never from this hour will I

Allow myself to be possessed by joy

Such as men feel when thoughts grow ripe within.

I’ll steel my heart to serve as sacrifice

So that my mind can always only think

In such a way that through my thoughts I may

Offer the fruits of Knowledge to the gods.

My sacred service shall such Knowledge be,

And what I thus effect within myself

Shall o’er Johannes powerfully outstream,

And oft, in future, when within his heart

These words are whispered from thyself to him:

‘Man’s human nature shall through love find out

What gives strength to his personality.’

Then shall my heart this powerful answer give:

‘Once didst thou hear these words, when Earth began,

And there didst show forth signs ofWisdom’sfruit,

“The fruits of love can only come to man

When they are brought to him from realms divine.” ’

Lucifer:I mean to fight.

Lucifer:

I mean to fight.

Benedictus:I mean to fight.And fighting, serve the gods.

Benedictus:

I mean to fight.And fighting, serve the gods.

Curtain

Scene 4A cheerful pink room in the home of Strader and his wife Theodora. One notices by the arrangement that they use it as a room in common, where they carry on their various works. On his table there are mechanical models; on hers things to do with mystic studies. The two are holding a conversation which shows that they are absorbed in the fact that it is the seventh anniversary of their wedding day.Strader:’Tisseven years today since thou becam’stThe loved and dear companion of my lifeAnd also unto me a source of light,Which shone upon a life which formerlyWas threatened only with approaching dark.In spirit-life I was a starving manWhen thou didst first stand at my side and giveThat which the world had aye withheld from me.For long years had I striven earnestlyTo probe the depths of science with my mindAnd find the worth of life and goal of man.One day I clearly had to recognizeThat all this striving had been quite in vainHadst thou not shown that man’s spirit seeksHow to reveal itself through certain thingsWhich shunned my knowledge and my eager thought.I met thee then amongst that companyWhere Benedictus was the guide of all,And listened to thy revelations there.Later I saw how in ThomasiusThe spirit-pupilship could work with powerWithin the human soul. What thus I sawRobbed me of faith in science and good sense,And yet it showed me nothing at that timeWhich really seemed to me intelligent.I turned away from all the realm of thoughtAnd went on living in an aimless waySince life had ceased to be of worth to me.I gave myself to technique that it mightBring me oblivion and forgetfulness,And lived a life of torment, till once moreI met thee, for the second time; and thenOur friendship soon grew deep and ripe for love.Theodora:It is but natural, that on this dayRemembranceof those old times should againStand out so vividly before thy soul.I also feel a need in mine own heartTo look back once again upon those daysWhen we were drawn together in life’s bond.I felt the constant strengthening at that timeWithin me of the power which made my soulAble for knowledge from the spirit-worlds.And under Felix Balde’s noble leadThis power grew on thenceforward to that heightAt which it stood just seven years ago.About that time I met CapesiusOne day in Felix’ lovely woodland home.A long life had he spent in deep researchAnd won his way to spirit-pupilship.He greatly wished to be allowed to learnMy way of gazing on the spirit-world.So after that I spent much time with him.And in his house I chanced to meet with theeAnd could bring healing to thy mental wounds.Strader:And then the true light shone into my soulWhich long had only gazed upon the dark.I saw at last what spirit is, in truth.Thou ledd’st me on in such a way to seeWhat was disclosed to thee from higher worlds,That every doubt might swiftly disappear.All this at that time worked so much on meThat first I thought of thee as nothing elseExcept a medium for the spirit’s work.It was a long while e’er I recognizedThat not my mind alone hung on thy words,Which did reveal to it its true abode;But that my heart was taken captive tooAnd could no longer live without thee near.Theodora:Then didst thou tell me that which thou didst feelAnd all thy words were in so strange a form;It seemed as if thou never hadst one thoughtThat all the longing dwelling in thy heartCould even hope it might be satisfied.Thy words showed clearly that it was adviceThat thou wast seeking from thy sister-soul.Thou spakst of help which thou didst then requireAnd of the strengthening of thy powers of soulWhich otherwise must keep thee prison-bound.Strader:That my soul’s messenger could be by fateDestined to be companion of my lifeLay very far from all I had in mindWhen, seeking help, I showed my heart to thee.Theodora:And yet those very words which cut adriftThy heart from mine at first, soon went to proveThat all of this could not be otherwise—Hearts often have to point the way to fate.Strader:And when thy heart pronounced the fateful wordMy soul was flooded o’er with waves of lifeWhich, though I could not feel, I knew were there;’Twas not till late, when my memoryRose from the depths of my subconscious soul,That they fulfilled themselves in rays of light.I could know all, from what my mem’ry taught,But could not live it then, because so muchStill held me far apart from spirit-life.’Twas then indeed I first became awareOf spirit in close contact with my soul.Ne’er have I felt like that again; and yetThat knowledge gave to me a certaintyThat hath illuminated all my life.And then flowed on these seven wondrous years.I learned to feel how e’en mechanic skillWhich now I study, is enriched by soulsWhose attitude t’ward spirit-life is right.’Twas through the spirit-power which thou couldst giveAnd which made such demands upon my lifeThat I was able to look out beyondThe strife for power, and thence quite suddenlyAs if it had been prompted, there appearedBefore my wondering spirit that new workFrom which we now may dare to hope so muchAnd in thy light I felt within my soulThe full awakening of all those powersWhich would have perished, had I lived alone.This certainty of life which I had wonLet me stand upright then, just at that timeWhen, in such startling wise, ThomasiusCondemned before the Rose Cross brotherhoodThe work of his own brain, and cast himselfAdrift, with judgment hard, just at that hourWhich could have brought him to his life’s full height.This inner certainty could hold me fastWhen all the outer world seemed to revealNaught but a mass of contradicting facts.Through thee alone have I gained all this power.The spirit-revelation which thou gav’stBrought me the sense of knowledge I had won;And when the revelation came no moreThou still didst stay my strength and light of soul.Theodora(in a broken sentence, as if meditating deeply):Then when the revelation came no more …Strader:’Tis that which often made me sorrowful.I wondered if ’twere not deep pain to theeTo lose thy seeress’ power of second-sight,And whether thou didst suffer silently,Lest I should grieve: and yet thy temperamentShowed thou couldst bear with calmness fate’s decree.But lately thou hast seemed to me to change,Joy no more streams from thee as heretoforeAnd thine eye’s glowing light begins to fade.Theodora:Indeed it could not be deep pain to meWhen spirit-revelation disappeared.My fate had only changed my way of life;Which I must needs accept with patience calm.But now ’tis born once more, and brings great grief.Strader:This is the first time in these seven yearsI cannot fathom Theodora’s mind;For each experience of spirit-lifeWas such a source of inward joy to thee.Theodora:Quite different is the revelation now.At first, as then, I feel myself constrainedTo drive away all thought that is mine own;But where, before, after some little timeWhen I achieved this inward emptinessA gentle light did hover round my soulAnd spirit-pictures wished to form themselves;There come now unseen feelings of disgust;Which come in such a way that I am sureThe power I feel within comes from without—Then fear I cannot banish pours itselfInto my life and governs all my soul—And gladly would I flee from that dread ShapeThat is invisible, and yet abhorred.It tries to reach me with its evil willAnd I can only hate what is revealed.Strader:With Theodora ’tis not possible.They say that what one thus lives through, is butThe mirrored working of one’s own soul-powers.Yet thy soul could not show such things as these.Theodora(painfully, slowly, as if reflecting):I know indeed that such ideas are held—Therefore with all the power that still was mineI sank into the spirit-world and prayedThat those same beings who so oft beforeWere kind to me, would graciously revealHow I could learn the cause of all my pain.(Now follow in broken words):And then … the shining Light … came … as beforeAnd formed … the image … of an earthly man.…It was … Thomasius …Strader(painfully, overcome by the quick inrush of feelings):It was ... Thomasius… Thomasius …The man in whom I always have believed …(Pause, then meditating painfully.)When I again recall before my soulHow he behaved towards the Mystic League …How of himself and Ahriman he spake——(Theodora is lost in contemplation, and stares blankly into space, as if her spirit were absent.)Strader:O Theodora … what dost thou … see now.…Curtain

A cheerful pink room in the home of Strader and his wife Theodora. One notices by the arrangement that they use it as a room in common, where they carry on their various works. On his table there are mechanical models; on hers things to do with mystic studies. The two are holding a conversation which shows that they are absorbed in the fact that it is the seventh anniversary of their wedding day.

Strader:’Tisseven years today since thou becam’stThe loved and dear companion of my lifeAnd also unto me a source of light,Which shone upon a life which formerlyWas threatened only with approaching dark.In spirit-life I was a starving manWhen thou didst first stand at my side and giveThat which the world had aye withheld from me.For long years had I striven earnestlyTo probe the depths of science with my mindAnd find the worth of life and goal of man.One day I clearly had to recognizeThat all this striving had been quite in vainHadst thou not shown that man’s spirit seeksHow to reveal itself through certain thingsWhich shunned my knowledge and my eager thought.I met thee then amongst that companyWhere Benedictus was the guide of all,And listened to thy revelations there.Later I saw how in ThomasiusThe spirit-pupilship could work with powerWithin the human soul. What thus I sawRobbed me of faith in science and good sense,And yet it showed me nothing at that timeWhich really seemed to me intelligent.I turned away from all the realm of thoughtAnd went on living in an aimless waySince life had ceased to be of worth to me.I gave myself to technique that it mightBring me oblivion and forgetfulness,And lived a life of torment, till once moreI met thee, for the second time; and thenOur friendship soon grew deep and ripe for love.

Strader:

’Tisseven years today since thou becam’st

The loved and dear companion of my life

And also unto me a source of light,

Which shone upon a life which formerly

Was threatened only with approaching dark.

In spirit-life I was a starving man

When thou didst first stand at my side and give

That which the world had aye withheld from me.

For long years had I striven earnestly

To probe the depths of science with my mind

And find the worth of life and goal of man.

One day I clearly had to recognize

That all this striving had been quite in vain

Hadst thou not shown that man’s spirit seeks

How to reveal itself through certain things

Which shunned my knowledge and my eager thought.

I met thee then amongst that company

Where Benedictus was the guide of all,

And listened to thy revelations there.

Later I saw how in Thomasius

The spirit-pupilship could work with power

Within the human soul. What thus I saw

Robbed me of faith in science and good sense,

And yet it showed me nothing at that time

Which really seemed to me intelligent.

I turned away from all the realm of thought

And went on living in an aimless way

Since life had ceased to be of worth to me.

I gave myself to technique that it might

Bring me oblivion and forgetfulness,

And lived a life of torment, till once more

I met thee, for the second time; and then

Our friendship soon grew deep and ripe for love.

Theodora:It is but natural, that on this dayRemembranceof those old times should againStand out so vividly before thy soul.I also feel a need in mine own heartTo look back once again upon those daysWhen we were drawn together in life’s bond.I felt the constant strengthening at that timeWithin me of the power which made my soulAble for knowledge from the spirit-worlds.And under Felix Balde’s noble leadThis power grew on thenceforward to that heightAt which it stood just seven years ago.About that time I met CapesiusOne day in Felix’ lovely woodland home.A long life had he spent in deep researchAnd won his way to spirit-pupilship.He greatly wished to be allowed to learnMy way of gazing on the spirit-world.So after that I spent much time with him.And in his house I chanced to meet with theeAnd could bring healing to thy mental wounds.

Theodora:

It is but natural, that on this day

Remembranceof those old times should again

Stand out so vividly before thy soul.

I also feel a need in mine own heart

To look back once again upon those days

When we were drawn together in life’s bond.

I felt the constant strengthening at that time

Within me of the power which made my soul

Able for knowledge from the spirit-worlds.

And under Felix Balde’s noble lead

This power grew on thenceforward to that height

At which it stood just seven years ago.

About that time I met Capesius

One day in Felix’ lovely woodland home.

A long life had he spent in deep research

And won his way to spirit-pupilship.

He greatly wished to be allowed to learn

My way of gazing on the spirit-world.

So after that I spent much time with him.

And in his house I chanced to meet with thee

And could bring healing to thy mental wounds.

Strader:And then the true light shone into my soulWhich long had only gazed upon the dark.I saw at last what spirit is, in truth.Thou ledd’st me on in such a way to seeWhat was disclosed to thee from higher worlds,That every doubt might swiftly disappear.All this at that time worked so much on meThat first I thought of thee as nothing elseExcept a medium for the spirit’s work.It was a long while e’er I recognizedThat not my mind alone hung on thy words,Which did reveal to it its true abode;But that my heart was taken captive tooAnd could no longer live without thee near.

Strader:

And then the true light shone into my soul

Which long had only gazed upon the dark.

I saw at last what spirit is, in truth.

Thou ledd’st me on in such a way to see

What was disclosed to thee from higher worlds,

That every doubt might swiftly disappear.

All this at that time worked so much on me

That first I thought of thee as nothing else

Except a medium for the spirit’s work.

It was a long while e’er I recognized

That not my mind alone hung on thy words,

Which did reveal to it its true abode;

But that my heart was taken captive too

And could no longer live without thee near.

Theodora:Then didst thou tell me that which thou didst feelAnd all thy words were in so strange a form;It seemed as if thou never hadst one thoughtThat all the longing dwelling in thy heartCould even hope it might be satisfied.Thy words showed clearly that it was adviceThat thou wast seeking from thy sister-soul.Thou spakst of help which thou didst then requireAnd of the strengthening of thy powers of soulWhich otherwise must keep thee prison-bound.

Theodora:

Then didst thou tell me that which thou didst feel

And all thy words were in so strange a form;

It seemed as if thou never hadst one thought

That all the longing dwelling in thy heart

Could even hope it might be satisfied.

Thy words showed clearly that it was advice

That thou wast seeking from thy sister-soul.

Thou spakst of help which thou didst then require

And of the strengthening of thy powers of soul

Which otherwise must keep thee prison-bound.

Strader:That my soul’s messenger could be by fateDestined to be companion of my lifeLay very far from all I had in mindWhen, seeking help, I showed my heart to thee.

Strader:

That my soul’s messenger could be by fate

Destined to be companion of my life

Lay very far from all I had in mind

When, seeking help, I showed my heart to thee.

Theodora:And yet those very words which cut adriftThy heart from mine at first, soon went to proveThat all of this could not be otherwise—Hearts often have to point the way to fate.

Theodora:

And yet those very words which cut adrift

Thy heart from mine at first, soon went to prove

That all of this could not be otherwise—

Hearts often have to point the way to fate.

Strader:And when thy heart pronounced the fateful wordMy soul was flooded o’er with waves of lifeWhich, though I could not feel, I knew were there;’Twas not till late, when my memoryRose from the depths of my subconscious soul,That they fulfilled themselves in rays of light.I could know all, from what my mem’ry taught,But could not live it then, because so muchStill held me far apart from spirit-life.’Twas then indeed I first became awareOf spirit in close contact with my soul.Ne’er have I felt like that again; and yetThat knowledge gave to me a certaintyThat hath illuminated all my life.And then flowed on these seven wondrous years.I learned to feel how e’en mechanic skillWhich now I study, is enriched by soulsWhose attitude t’ward spirit-life is right.’Twas through the spirit-power which thou couldst giveAnd which made such demands upon my lifeThat I was able to look out beyondThe strife for power, and thence quite suddenlyAs if it had been prompted, there appearedBefore my wondering spirit that new workFrom which we now may dare to hope so muchAnd in thy light I felt within my soulThe full awakening of all those powersWhich would have perished, had I lived alone.This certainty of life which I had wonLet me stand upright then, just at that timeWhen, in such startling wise, ThomasiusCondemned before the Rose Cross brotherhoodThe work of his own brain, and cast himselfAdrift, with judgment hard, just at that hourWhich could have brought him to his life’s full height.This inner certainty could hold me fastWhen all the outer world seemed to revealNaught but a mass of contradicting facts.Through thee alone have I gained all this power.The spirit-revelation which thou gav’stBrought me the sense of knowledge I had won;And when the revelation came no moreThou still didst stay my strength and light of soul.

Strader:

And when thy heart pronounced the fateful word

My soul was flooded o’er with waves of life

Which, though I could not feel, I knew were there;

’Twas not till late, when my memory

Rose from the depths of my subconscious soul,

That they fulfilled themselves in rays of light.

I could know all, from what my mem’ry taught,

But could not live it then, because so much

Still held me far apart from spirit-life.

’Twas then indeed I first became aware

Of spirit in close contact with my soul.

Ne’er have I felt like that again; and yet

That knowledge gave to me a certainty

That hath illuminated all my life.

And then flowed on these seven wondrous years.

I learned to feel how e’en mechanic skill

Which now I study, is enriched by souls

Whose attitude t’ward spirit-life is right.

’Twas through the spirit-power which thou couldst give

And which made such demands upon my life

That I was able to look out beyond

The strife for power, and thence quite suddenly

As if it had been prompted, there appeared

Before my wondering spirit that new work

From which we now may dare to hope so much

And in thy light I felt within my soul

The full awakening of all those powers

Which would have perished, had I lived alone.

This certainty of life which I had won

Let me stand upright then, just at that time

When, in such startling wise, Thomasius

Condemned before the Rose Cross brotherhood

The work of his own brain, and cast himself

Adrift, with judgment hard, just at that hour

Which could have brought him to his life’s full height.

This inner certainty could hold me fast

When all the outer world seemed to reveal

Naught but a mass of contradicting facts.

Through thee alone have I gained all this power.

The spirit-revelation which thou gav’st

Brought me the sense of knowledge I had won;

And when the revelation came no more

Thou still didst stay my strength and light of soul.

Theodora(in a broken sentence, as if meditating deeply):Then when the revelation came no more …

Theodora(in a broken sentence, as if meditating deeply):

Then when the revelation came no more …

Strader:’Tis that which often made me sorrowful.I wondered if ’twere not deep pain to theeTo lose thy seeress’ power of second-sight,And whether thou didst suffer silently,Lest I should grieve: and yet thy temperamentShowed thou couldst bear with calmness fate’s decree.But lately thou hast seemed to me to change,Joy no more streams from thee as heretoforeAnd thine eye’s glowing light begins to fade.

Strader:

’Tis that which often made me sorrowful.

I wondered if ’twere not deep pain to thee

To lose thy seeress’ power of second-sight,

And whether thou didst suffer silently,

Lest I should grieve: and yet thy temperament

Showed thou couldst bear with calmness fate’s decree.

But lately thou hast seemed to me to change,

Joy no more streams from thee as heretofore

And thine eye’s glowing light begins to fade.

Theodora:Indeed it could not be deep pain to meWhen spirit-revelation disappeared.My fate had only changed my way of life;Which I must needs accept with patience calm.But now ’tis born once more, and brings great grief.

Theodora:

Indeed it could not be deep pain to me

When spirit-revelation disappeared.

My fate had only changed my way of life;

Which I must needs accept with patience calm.

But now ’tis born once more, and brings great grief.

Strader:This is the first time in these seven yearsI cannot fathom Theodora’s mind;For each experience of spirit-lifeWas such a source of inward joy to thee.

Strader:

This is the first time in these seven years

I cannot fathom Theodora’s mind;

For each experience of spirit-life

Was such a source of inward joy to thee.

Theodora:Quite different is the revelation now.At first, as then, I feel myself constrainedTo drive away all thought that is mine own;But where, before, after some little timeWhen I achieved this inward emptinessA gentle light did hover round my soulAnd spirit-pictures wished to form themselves;There come now unseen feelings of disgust;Which come in such a way that I am sureThe power I feel within comes from without—Then fear I cannot banish pours itselfInto my life and governs all my soul—And gladly would I flee from that dread ShapeThat is invisible, and yet abhorred.It tries to reach me with its evil willAnd I can only hate what is revealed.

Theodora:

Quite different is the revelation now.

At first, as then, I feel myself constrained

To drive away all thought that is mine own;

But where, before, after some little time

When I achieved this inward emptiness

A gentle light did hover round my soul

And spirit-pictures wished to form themselves;

There come now unseen feelings of disgust;

Which come in such a way that I am sure

The power I feel within comes from without—

Then fear I cannot banish pours itself

Into my life and governs all my soul—

And gladly would I flee from that dread Shape

That is invisible, and yet abhorred.

It tries to reach me with its evil will

And I can only hate what is revealed.

Strader:With Theodora ’tis not possible.They say that what one thus lives through, is butThe mirrored working of one’s own soul-powers.Yet thy soul could not show such things as these.

Strader:

With Theodora ’tis not possible.

They say that what one thus lives through, is but

The mirrored working of one’s own soul-powers.

Yet thy soul could not show such things as these.

Theodora(painfully, slowly, as if reflecting):I know indeed that such ideas are held—Therefore with all the power that still was mineI sank into the spirit-world and prayedThat those same beings who so oft beforeWere kind to me, would graciously revealHow I could learn the cause of all my pain.

Theodora(painfully, slowly, as if reflecting):

I know indeed that such ideas are held—

Therefore with all the power that still was mine

I sank into the spirit-world and prayed

That those same beings who so oft before

Were kind to me, would graciously reveal

How I could learn the cause of all my pain.

(Now follow in broken words):

And then … the shining Light … came … as beforeAnd formed … the image … of an earthly man.…It was … Thomasius …

And then … the shining Light … came … as before

And formed … the image … of an earthly man.…

It was … Thomasius …

Strader(painfully, overcome by the quick inrush of feelings):It was ... Thomasius… Thomasius …The man in whom I always have believed …

Strader(painfully, overcome by the quick inrush of feelings):

It was ... Thomasius… Thomasius …

The man in whom I always have believed …

(Pause, then meditating painfully.)

When I again recall before my soulHow he behaved towards the Mystic League …How of himself and Ahriman he spake——

When I again recall before my soul

How he behaved towards the Mystic League …

How of himself and Ahriman he spake——

(Theodora is lost in contemplation, and stares blankly into space, as if her spirit were absent.)

Strader:O Theodora … what dost thou … see now.…

Strader:

O Theodora … what dost thou … see now.…

Curtain

Scene 5A round room in the little house in the wood, described in the “Soul’s Probation,” as Felix Balde’s home. Dame Balde, Felix Balde, Capesius, Strader, are seen seated at a table on the left of the stage. Later appears the Soul of Theodora. The room is the natural colour of the wood and has two pretty arched windows.Dame Balde:We shall not know again her beauteous selfNor feel her radiant nature till we tooShall reach some day the world to which she hathSo early from our sight been stol’n away.A few short weeks ago we still could hearWith joy in this our house the graciousnessThat streamed so warmly through her every word.Felix Balde:We both, my wife Felicia, and myself,Loved her indeed from out our inmost soul,So can we share and understand thy grief.Strader:Dear Theodora, she so often spokeThroughout the last hours of her life on earthOf Dame Felicia and of Felix too;She was so closely intimate with allThat life brought to you here from day to day.Now must I grope my further path alone.She was the sum and meaning of my life.And what she gave, can never die for me.And yet—she is not here——Felix Balde:And yet—she is not here——Yet can we stillWith thee send out our loving thoughts to herInto the spirit-worlds, and thus uniteHer soul with ours through all the days to come.But, I must own, it was a shock to usWhen we were told her life on Earth was o’er.These many years there hath been granted meA gift of insight which doth often showIn unexpected moments quite unsoughtWhat inward strength doth lie in all men’s lives;In her case hath this gift deceived me sore.For ne’er indeed could I think otherwise,Except that Theodora would be sparedTo spend on Earth for many years as yetThat love through which she hath in joy and griefShown herself helpful to so many men.Strader:’Tis very strange how all hath come to pass;As long as I have known her, had she livedEver the same sound healthy mode of life.But since the time she first became awareOf Something strange, unknown, that threatened herAnd tried to enter and oppress her mind;Her senses clouded over more and moreAnd suffering poured itself through all her life.Her body’s powers were sapped, as one could seeBy some great struggle in her inmost soul.She told me, when in my anxiety,—I plied her oft with many questionings—She felt herself exposed to fearful thoughtsWhich frightened her and worked like fire within.And what she said besides—’tis terrible,For when she rallied all her powers of thoughtTo find the cause of all this sufferingThere always came before her spirit’s gazeThomasius … whom we both honoured so,And yet from this impression aye remainedThe strongest feelings which spake clear to herThat she had cause to fear Thomasius.Capesius(spoken as in a trance):According to the strict decree of FateThomasius and Theodora ne’erCould meet in earthly passion in this life.’Twould be indeed opposed to cosmic lawsIf one desired to make the other feelAught that was not on spirit only based.Within his heart Thomasius doth breakThe stern decree of mighty powers of Fate:That he should never harbour in his soulThoughts that might bring to Theodora harm.For he doth feel what he ought not to feelAnd, through his disobedience he doth formE’en now the powers which can deliver o’erHis future life unto the realms of dark.When Theodora had been forced to comeTo Lucifer, she learnt unconsciouslyThat through the Light-bearer, ThomasiusWas filled with sensual passion for herself.Maria, who had been by Fate’s decreeEntrusted with Thomasius’ spirit-life,And Theodora, at the same time metWithin that realm which fights against the gods—Maria from Thomasius had to part,And he through strength of this false love was forcedTo be in bondage unto Lucifer.What Theodora thus experiencedBecame consuming fire within her soulAnd working further caused her all this pain.Strader:Oh tell us, Father Felix, what this means.Capesius speaks in such a manner strangeOf things which are incomprehensible;And yet they fill my soul with dread and fear.Felix Balde:Capesius, when treading o’er the path,Which he hath found most needful for his soulLearns ever more and more to exerciseThose special gifts of spirit which are his;His spirit lives in touch with higher worldsAnd passeth by unnoticed all those thingsThrough which the senses speak unto the soul.’Tis but by habit that he doth performAll that hath been his custom in this life.He ever tried to visit his old friendsAnd likes to while away long hours with them,And yet whenever he is at their sideHis being seems in meditation lost.But what he sees in spirit aye is trueSo far as mine own searching of the soulCan testify to proving of the truth.And therefore in this case I do believeThat owing to these spirit-gifts, he couldPerceive within the depths of his own soulThe truth of Theodora’s destiny.Dame Balde:It is so strange, he never noticesWhat those around him may be speaking of;It seems his soul is from his body loosedAnd gazeth only on the spirit-world;And yet some word will often bring him backOut of this strange abstraction, and he’ll tellOf things that seem to come from spirit-realmsAnd somehow be connected with that word.Apart from that whatever one may sayMakes no impression on his mind at all.Strader:Ah! if he speaks the truth—how horrible—(Theodora’s Soul appears.)Theodora’s Soul:Capesius hath been allowed to knowOf my existence in the spirit-world:It is the truth which he makes known to you.We must not let Thomasius transgress:Maria hath already set alightThe sacrifice of love in her strong heart;And Theodora from the spirit-heightsWill send out rays of blessing from Love’s power.Felix Balde:Dear Strader, thou must now be calm and still;She wants to speak to thee; I understandThe signs she gives to us: so now attend.Theodora(after making a movement with her hand towards Strader):Thomasius possesseth second sight;And he will find me in the spirit-realms.This must not be until he is set freeFrom earthly passion in his search for me.In future he will also need thy help,And that is what I now request of thee.Strader:My Theodora, who dost even nowTurn to me as of old in love, say onWhat thou desirest, and it shall be done.(Theodora makes a sign towards Capesius.)Felix Balde:That shows she cannot now say any more,But wisheth us to hear Capesius speak.(Theodora vanishes.)Capesius(as in a trance):Thomasius can Theodora see,If he doth choose to use his spirit-eyes.Therefore her death will not destroy in himThis passion which is harmful to himself.Yet will he have to act quite otherwiseThan he would act if Theodora stillLived in the body on this earth of ours.He will with passion strive toward the lightWhich is revealed to her from spirit-heightsAlthough she hath no consciousness of earth.Thomasius is set to win that lightThat through him Lucifer may gain it too.This light divine would then help LuciferTo keep for evermore within his realmThe knowledge which Thomasius acquiredAnd won for his own use through earthly power.For Lucifer, since first the Earth beganHath ever sought for men who have acquiredWisdom divine through instincts that were false.He wills now to unite pure spirit-sightWith human knowledge, which, if treated thusWould turn to evil, though ’twere good itself.Thomasius however even nowMay be turned back from this his evil way,If Strader gives himself to certain aimsWhich shall in future spiritually guideAll human knowledge, that it may approachAnd join itself to knowledge that’s divine.If he would have these aims revealed, he mustAs pupil unto Benedictus turn.(Pause.)Strader(to Felix Balde):O father Felix, give me thine advice.Hath Theodora really trusted thisUnto Capesius to tell to me?Felix Balde:These last few days I have most earnestlyHeld converse often with mine inmost selfTo try and to clear my thoughts about this man.Gladly I’ll tell thee all I know myself.Capesius is living in true wiseThe life of spirit-pupilship, althoughFrom his behaviour it seems otherwise.He is already destined by his fateMuch to accomplish in the spirit-life.And only can fulfil the duties highTo which his soul hath been already calledIf he prepares his spirit for them now.And yet it lay quite near his nature too,Instead of seeking light on spirit-paths,Unto false science to devote himself,Which can just now make blind so many souls.The solemn Guardian on the Threshold grim,Which marks the world of sense from spirit-worlds,Had duties of a most especial kindWhen to the gate Capesius found his way.To such an earnest seeker must the gateNeeds open, but behind him shut at once.The means he used in former times to winPower for himself within the world of senseCould no more help him in the spirit-realms.He best prepares himself for service highWhich he one day must render to mankindWhen he ignores our presence and our talk.Dame Balde:There is but one thing he still notices.I mean the stories that I used to tellSo often to him and through which he feltRefreshed and reawakened to new thoughtWhen his soul seemed bereft of all ideas.Capesius:Such stories find their way to spirit-landsIf in the spirit also they are told.Dame Balde:Then, if I can collect myself enoughTo speak my stories out within myselfI’ll think of thee with love: so that they thenMay also in the spirit-land be heard.Curtain

A round room in the little house in the wood, described in the “Soul’s Probation,” as Felix Balde’s home. Dame Balde, Felix Balde, Capesius, Strader, are seen seated at a table on the left of the stage. Later appears the Soul of Theodora. The room is the natural colour of the wood and has two pretty arched windows.

Dame Balde:We shall not know again her beauteous selfNor feel her radiant nature till we tooShall reach some day the world to which she hathSo early from our sight been stol’n away.A few short weeks ago we still could hearWith joy in this our house the graciousnessThat streamed so warmly through her every word.

Dame Balde:

We shall not know again her beauteous self

Nor feel her radiant nature till we too

Shall reach some day the world to which she hath

So early from our sight been stol’n away.

A few short weeks ago we still could hear

With joy in this our house the graciousness

That streamed so warmly through her every word.

Felix Balde:We both, my wife Felicia, and myself,Loved her indeed from out our inmost soul,So can we share and understand thy grief.

Felix Balde:

We both, my wife Felicia, and myself,

Loved her indeed from out our inmost soul,

So can we share and understand thy grief.

Strader:Dear Theodora, she so often spokeThroughout the last hours of her life on earthOf Dame Felicia and of Felix too;She was so closely intimate with allThat life brought to you here from day to day.

Strader:

Dear Theodora, she so often spoke

Throughout the last hours of her life on earth

Of Dame Felicia and of Felix too;

She was so closely intimate with all

That life brought to you here from day to day.

Now must I grope my further path alone.She was the sum and meaning of my life.And what she gave, can never die for me.And yet—she is not here——

Now must I grope my further path alone.

She was the sum and meaning of my life.

And what she gave, can never die for me.

And yet—she is not here——

Felix Balde:And yet—she is not here——Yet can we stillWith thee send out our loving thoughts to herInto the spirit-worlds, and thus uniteHer soul with ours through all the days to come.But, I must own, it was a shock to usWhen we were told her life on Earth was o’er.These many years there hath been granted meA gift of insight which doth often showIn unexpected moments quite unsoughtWhat inward strength doth lie in all men’s lives;In her case hath this gift deceived me sore.For ne’er indeed could I think otherwise,Except that Theodora would be sparedTo spend on Earth for many years as yetThat love through which she hath in joy and griefShown herself helpful to so many men.

Felix Balde:

And yet—she is not here——Yet can we still

With thee send out our loving thoughts to her

Into the spirit-worlds, and thus unite

Her soul with ours through all the days to come.

But, I must own, it was a shock to us

When we were told her life on Earth was o’er.

These many years there hath been granted me

A gift of insight which doth often show

In unexpected moments quite unsought

What inward strength doth lie in all men’s lives;

In her case hath this gift deceived me sore.

For ne’er indeed could I think otherwise,

Except that Theodora would be spared

To spend on Earth for many years as yet

That love through which she hath in joy and grief

Shown herself helpful to so many men.

Strader:’Tis very strange how all hath come to pass;As long as I have known her, had she livedEver the same sound healthy mode of life.But since the time she first became awareOf Something strange, unknown, that threatened herAnd tried to enter and oppress her mind;Her senses clouded over more and moreAnd suffering poured itself through all her life.Her body’s powers were sapped, as one could seeBy some great struggle in her inmost soul.She told me, when in my anxiety,—I plied her oft with many questionings—She felt herself exposed to fearful thoughtsWhich frightened her and worked like fire within.And what she said besides—’tis terrible,For when she rallied all her powers of thoughtTo find the cause of all this sufferingThere always came before her spirit’s gazeThomasius … whom we both honoured so,And yet from this impression aye remainedThe strongest feelings which spake clear to herThat she had cause to fear Thomasius.

Strader:

’Tis very strange how all hath come to pass;

As long as I have known her, had she lived

Ever the same sound healthy mode of life.

But since the time she first became aware

Of Something strange, unknown, that threatened her

And tried to enter and oppress her mind;

Her senses clouded over more and more

And suffering poured itself through all her life.

Her body’s powers were sapped, as one could see

By some great struggle in her inmost soul.

She told me, when in my anxiety,—

I plied her oft with many questionings—

She felt herself exposed to fearful thoughts

Which frightened her and worked like fire within.

And what she said besides—’tis terrible,

For when she rallied all her powers of thought

To find the cause of all this suffering

There always came before her spirit’s gaze

Thomasius … whom we both honoured so,

And yet from this impression aye remained

The strongest feelings which spake clear to her

That she had cause to fear Thomasius.

Capesius(spoken as in a trance):According to the strict decree of FateThomasius and Theodora ne’erCould meet in earthly passion in this life.’Twould be indeed opposed to cosmic lawsIf one desired to make the other feelAught that was not on spirit only based.Within his heart Thomasius doth breakThe stern decree of mighty powers of Fate:That he should never harbour in his soulThoughts that might bring to Theodora harm.For he doth feel what he ought not to feelAnd, through his disobedience he doth formE’en now the powers which can deliver o’erHis future life unto the realms of dark.When Theodora had been forced to comeTo Lucifer, she learnt unconsciouslyThat through the Light-bearer, ThomasiusWas filled with sensual passion for herself.Maria, who had been by Fate’s decreeEntrusted with Thomasius’ spirit-life,And Theodora, at the same time metWithin that realm which fights against the gods—Maria from Thomasius had to part,And he through strength of this false love was forcedTo be in bondage unto Lucifer.What Theodora thus experiencedBecame consuming fire within her soulAnd working further caused her all this pain.

Capesius(spoken as in a trance):

According to the strict decree of Fate

Thomasius and Theodora ne’er

Could meet in earthly passion in this life.

’Twould be indeed opposed to cosmic laws

If one desired to make the other feel

Aught that was not on spirit only based.

Within his heart Thomasius doth break

The stern decree of mighty powers of Fate:

That he should never harbour in his soul

Thoughts that might bring to Theodora harm.

For he doth feel what he ought not to feel

And, through his disobedience he doth form

E’en now the powers which can deliver o’er

His future life unto the realms of dark.

When Theodora had been forced to come

To Lucifer, she learnt unconsciously

That through the Light-bearer, Thomasius

Was filled with sensual passion for herself.

Maria, who had been by Fate’s decree

Entrusted with Thomasius’ spirit-life,

And Theodora, at the same time met

Within that realm which fights against the gods—

Maria from Thomasius had to part,

And he through strength of this false love was forced

To be in bondage unto Lucifer.

What Theodora thus experienced

Became consuming fire within her soul

And working further caused her all this pain.

Strader:Oh tell us, Father Felix, what this means.Capesius speaks in such a manner strangeOf things which are incomprehensible;And yet they fill my soul with dread and fear.

Strader:

Oh tell us, Father Felix, what this means.

Capesius speaks in such a manner strange

Of things which are incomprehensible;

And yet they fill my soul with dread and fear.

Felix Balde:Capesius, when treading o’er the path,Which he hath found most needful for his soulLearns ever more and more to exerciseThose special gifts of spirit which are his;His spirit lives in touch with higher worldsAnd passeth by unnoticed all those thingsThrough which the senses speak unto the soul.’Tis but by habit that he doth performAll that hath been his custom in this life.He ever tried to visit his old friendsAnd likes to while away long hours with them,And yet whenever he is at their sideHis being seems in meditation lost.But what he sees in spirit aye is trueSo far as mine own searching of the soulCan testify to proving of the truth.And therefore in this case I do believeThat owing to these spirit-gifts, he couldPerceive within the depths of his own soulThe truth of Theodora’s destiny.

Felix Balde:

Capesius, when treading o’er the path,

Which he hath found most needful for his soul

Learns ever more and more to exercise

Those special gifts of spirit which are his;

His spirit lives in touch with higher worlds

And passeth by unnoticed all those things

Through which the senses speak unto the soul.

’Tis but by habit that he doth perform

All that hath been his custom in this life.

He ever tried to visit his old friends

And likes to while away long hours with them,

And yet whenever he is at their side

His being seems in meditation lost.

But what he sees in spirit aye is true

So far as mine own searching of the soul

Can testify to proving of the truth.

And therefore in this case I do believe

That owing to these spirit-gifts, he could

Perceive within the depths of his own soul

The truth of Theodora’s destiny.

Dame Balde:It is so strange, he never noticesWhat those around him may be speaking of;It seems his soul is from his body loosedAnd gazeth only on the spirit-world;And yet some word will often bring him backOut of this strange abstraction, and he’ll tellOf things that seem to come from spirit-realmsAnd somehow be connected with that word.Apart from that whatever one may sayMakes no impression on his mind at all.

Dame Balde:

It is so strange, he never notices

What those around him may be speaking of;

It seems his soul is from his body loosed

And gazeth only on the spirit-world;

And yet some word will often bring him back

Out of this strange abstraction, and he’ll tell

Of things that seem to come from spirit-realms

And somehow be connected with that word.

Apart from that whatever one may say

Makes no impression on his mind at all.

Strader:Ah! if he speaks the truth—how horrible—

Strader:

Ah! if he speaks the truth—how horrible—

(Theodora’s Soul appears.)

Theodora’s Soul:Capesius hath been allowed to knowOf my existence in the spirit-world:It is the truth which he makes known to you.We must not let Thomasius transgress:Maria hath already set alightThe sacrifice of love in her strong heart;And Theodora from the spirit-heightsWill send out rays of blessing from Love’s power.

Theodora’s Soul:

Capesius hath been allowed to know

Of my existence in the spirit-world:

It is the truth which he makes known to you.

We must not let Thomasius transgress:

Maria hath already set alight

The sacrifice of love in her strong heart;

And Theodora from the spirit-heights

Will send out rays of blessing from Love’s power.

Felix Balde:Dear Strader, thou must now be calm and still;She wants to speak to thee; I understandThe signs she gives to us: so now attend.

Felix Balde:

Dear Strader, thou must now be calm and still;

She wants to speak to thee; I understand

The signs she gives to us: so now attend.

Theodora(after making a movement with her hand towards Strader):Thomasius possesseth second sight;And he will find me in the spirit-realms.This must not be until he is set freeFrom earthly passion in his search for me.In future he will also need thy help,And that is what I now request of thee.

Theodora(after making a movement with her hand towards Strader):

Thomasius possesseth second sight;

And he will find me in the spirit-realms.

This must not be until he is set free

From earthly passion in his search for me.

In future he will also need thy help,

And that is what I now request of thee.

Strader:My Theodora, who dost even nowTurn to me as of old in love, say onWhat thou desirest, and it shall be done.

Strader:

My Theodora, who dost even now

Turn to me as of old in love, say on

What thou desirest, and it shall be done.

(Theodora makes a sign towards Capesius.)

Felix Balde:That shows she cannot now say any more,But wisheth us to hear Capesius speak.

Felix Balde:

That shows she cannot now say any more,

But wisheth us to hear Capesius speak.

(Theodora vanishes.)

Capesius(as in a trance):Thomasius can Theodora see,If he doth choose to use his spirit-eyes.Therefore her death will not destroy in himThis passion which is harmful to himself.Yet will he have to act quite otherwiseThan he would act if Theodora stillLived in the body on this earth of ours.He will with passion strive toward the lightWhich is revealed to her from spirit-heightsAlthough she hath no consciousness of earth.Thomasius is set to win that lightThat through him Lucifer may gain it too.This light divine would then help LuciferTo keep for evermore within his realmThe knowledge which Thomasius acquiredAnd won for his own use through earthly power.For Lucifer, since first the Earth beganHath ever sought for men who have acquiredWisdom divine through instincts that were false.He wills now to unite pure spirit-sightWith human knowledge, which, if treated thusWould turn to evil, though ’twere good itself.Thomasius however even nowMay be turned back from this his evil way,If Strader gives himself to certain aimsWhich shall in future spiritually guideAll human knowledge, that it may approachAnd join itself to knowledge that’s divine.If he would have these aims revealed, he mustAs pupil unto Benedictus turn.

Capesius(as in a trance):

Thomasius can Theodora see,

If he doth choose to use his spirit-eyes.

Therefore her death will not destroy in him

This passion which is harmful to himself.

Yet will he have to act quite otherwise

Than he would act if Theodora still

Lived in the body on this earth of ours.

He will with passion strive toward the light

Which is revealed to her from spirit-heights

Although she hath no consciousness of earth.

Thomasius is set to win that light

That through him Lucifer may gain it too.

This light divine would then help Lucifer

To keep for evermore within his realm

The knowledge which Thomasius acquired

And won for his own use through earthly power.

For Lucifer, since first the Earth began

Hath ever sought for men who have acquired

Wisdom divine through instincts that were false.

He wills now to unite pure spirit-sight

With human knowledge, which, if treated thus

Would turn to evil, though ’twere good itself.

Thomasius however even now

May be turned back from this his evil way,

If Strader gives himself to certain aims

Which shall in future spiritually guide

All human knowledge, that it may approach

And join itself to knowledge that’s divine.

If he would have these aims revealed, he must

As pupil unto Benedictus turn.

(Pause.)

Strader(to Felix Balde):O father Felix, give me thine advice.Hath Theodora really trusted thisUnto Capesius to tell to me?

Strader(to Felix Balde):

O father Felix, give me thine advice.

Hath Theodora really trusted this

Unto Capesius to tell to me?

Felix Balde:These last few days I have most earnestlyHeld converse often with mine inmost selfTo try and to clear my thoughts about this man.Gladly I’ll tell thee all I know myself.Capesius is living in true wiseThe life of spirit-pupilship, althoughFrom his behaviour it seems otherwise.He is already destined by his fateMuch to accomplish in the spirit-life.And only can fulfil the duties highTo which his soul hath been already calledIf he prepares his spirit for them now.And yet it lay quite near his nature too,Instead of seeking light on spirit-paths,Unto false science to devote himself,Which can just now make blind so many souls.The solemn Guardian on the Threshold grim,Which marks the world of sense from spirit-worlds,Had duties of a most especial kindWhen to the gate Capesius found his way.To such an earnest seeker must the gateNeeds open, but behind him shut at once.The means he used in former times to winPower for himself within the world of senseCould no more help him in the spirit-realms.He best prepares himself for service highWhich he one day must render to mankindWhen he ignores our presence and our talk.

Felix Balde:

These last few days I have most earnestly

Held converse often with mine inmost self

To try and to clear my thoughts about this man.

Gladly I’ll tell thee all I know myself.

Capesius is living in true wise

The life of spirit-pupilship, although

From his behaviour it seems otherwise.

He is already destined by his fate

Much to accomplish in the spirit-life.

And only can fulfil the duties high

To which his soul hath been already called

If he prepares his spirit for them now.

And yet it lay quite near his nature too,

Instead of seeking light on spirit-paths,

Unto false science to devote himself,

Which can just now make blind so many souls.

The solemn Guardian on the Threshold grim,

Which marks the world of sense from spirit-worlds,

Had duties of a most especial kind

When to the gate Capesius found his way.

To such an earnest seeker must the gate

Needs open, but behind him shut at once.

The means he used in former times to win

Power for himself within the world of sense

Could no more help him in the spirit-realms.

He best prepares himself for service high

Which he one day must render to mankind

When he ignores our presence and our talk.

Dame Balde:There is but one thing he still notices.I mean the stories that I used to tellSo often to him and through which he feltRefreshed and reawakened to new thoughtWhen his soul seemed bereft of all ideas.

Dame Balde:

There is but one thing he still notices.

I mean the stories that I used to tell

So often to him and through which he felt

Refreshed and reawakened to new thought

When his soul seemed bereft of all ideas.

Capesius:Such stories find their way to spirit-landsIf in the spirit also they are told.

Capesius:

Such stories find their way to spirit-lands

If in the spirit also they are told.

Dame Balde:Then, if I can collect myself enoughTo speak my stories out within myselfI’ll think of thee with love: so that they thenMay also in the spirit-land be heard.

Dame Balde:

Then, if I can collect myself enough

To speak my stories out within myself

I’ll think of thee with love: so that they then

May also in the spirit-land be heard.

Curtain

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