Scene 9

Scene 9A pleasant, sunny morning landscape, in a terraced garden overlooking a town with many factories.Benedictus, Capesius, Maria, Thomasius, and Strader are discovered walking up and down and engaged in leisurely conversation. Benedictus wears a white biretta and is in his white robe, but without the golden stole.Capesius:Here is the place, where Benedictus oftIn soft warm sunlight of a summer mornGave himself to his pupils that they mightIn reverent mood receive his wisdom’s words.Out yonder lies what ever must divideWith pitiless intent the souls of menFrom all the wondrous beauty of the earth,That nature’s God doth shower so bounteous here.In yon waste sea of houses in the townDoth Benedictus ever nobly striveTo heal this human woe by deeds of love.And when with human words so wise and trueHe tells his pupils of the spirit-world,He seeks for hearts, which free creative powerThat here reveals itself in wakening souls,Hath filled with sunshine and with love for men.I, too, may now behold the happinessWhich through his words doth reach the heart of man.Since he in love hath underta’en the taskOf guiding me within the spirit-world:And now when I may feel that he is nearI shall again discover mine own self.Benedictus:Within the circle of my pupils hereThrough free-will acts of others and thyselfA knot shall one day loosen in the threadsWhich Karma spins in lives of men on earth.Thy life itself will help to loose this knot.In hearts of men who give themselves in truthTo follow wisdom, which I serve myself,Thou canst by thine own power discover thoseJoined unto whom thou wilt complete the workFor which in spirit thou hast been prepared.Capesius:Thee have I known, and I will follow thee.As I held converse with mine inmost soul,When I had been allowed to hear thy wordsWithin the spirit-realm in their true form,And thou hadst brought me to myself again,Then could I see portrayed in spirit-lightThe aims which in the progress of the earthI was to follow in my future lives.And now I know that thou didst choose for meThe one right way for this to be revealed.Benedictus:Thomasius and Strader will henceforthUnited with thyself accomplish muchThat best may serve to further human health.They have prepared the soul-powers which are theirsWith such intent since first the Earth beganThat they can join to form a trinityWith thine own spirit in the cosmic course.Capesius:So I must thank my fate’s unbending powersWhich seemed at first incomprehensible,That when the rightful moment came at lastMy life’s aim suddenly revealed itself.(He pauses meditatively.)How wonderfully hast thou led me on:It seemed at first as if I strove in vainTo enter with my spirit consciouslyInto those worlds which by thy words are placedSo thoughtfully before the souls of men.For many years I could find nought but thoughtsWhen in thy writings I absorbed myself.And then, quite suddenly, around me flowedThe spirit-world in its reality;I scarce knew how to find myself arightWithin my former more accustomed world.Benedictus:That would have hid the spirit-life from theeFor ever by its strong effective powerUnless the stronger forces ofthislifeHad first reduced it to a shadow dim.And so thou too, with thy full spirit-sightMust on that threshold learn to know thyself,Where others first can gain their spirit-sight.(During the last words Strader walks up to Capesius and the three go away together: after a short time Benedictus returns with Strader.)Strader:It gave deep pain, within mine inmost selfAnd weighed with heavy pressure on my soulWhen on awaking to myself I foundI was again within my body pentFrom which thy words had given me release.My deadened soul-life first tormented meOn my return, yet ’twas not only pain;For it brought forth in me the memoryOf all I lived through ere I saw with dreadWhat I could learn from Ahriman himself,That every thought must cease its progress there.I had to ask myself why I was setBy Benedictus’ word within this realmWhere souls alone are taken into countAnd only those are valued which can helpToward the objects, which that power desiresTo make his own through deeds that I have done.He, in his wisdom, wanted to selectTwelve helpers from the number of mankind.Benedictus:Yet ’tis well known to thee why all these souls,Which Ahriman showed forth, drew near to thee,When he would force himself upon their fates.Strader:That also bitter pain revealed to me:It showed how in a former life on EarthI was united to a brotherhoodWhich now hath formed again its mystic league,And how those people stood towards myself,Who were in their true nature then revealed.And I could feel quite sure that AhrimanWill use the bond, which e’en in future livesMust ever surely bind their souls to mine.Benedictus:The cosmic powers do so direct their deedsThat these with cosmic progress may uniteBy following in wisdom number’s laws.The sign how this direction is fulfilledShows itself clearly to the outer sense;If it doth watch the Sun upon the courseHe takes throughout the constellations twelve.It is his place amongst those very signsWhich shows how on the Earth things come to passIn strict succession in long course of time.So Ahriman desired to mould the soulsOf those who are united thus to theeTo powers from whence thy work might shine afar.He also wished to follow number’s lawsIn binding their soul-nature unto thine.Strader:Since I have learned the sense of number’s law,So shall I too succeed in rescuingMy work from out the realm of AhrimanAnd offering it to the gods of Earth.Benedictus:It was through Ahriman thou hadst to learnThe sense of number in the universe;So was it needful for thine own soul’s good.’Twas spirit-pupilship that guided theeInto that realm, which thou didst need to knowIf thy creative power should bloom aright.(Exeunt Benedictus and Strader. Maria and Thomasius appear from the other side.)Maria:Johannes, knowledge hath thy soul acquiredFrom truth’s cold realms. No longer wilt thou nowWeave only in thy pictures that which souls,Still pent within the body, live in dreams,For far from cosmic progress are those thoughtsWhich but as self-begotten show themselves.Thomasius:’Tis love of self—although they may pretend’Tis thirst for knowledge maketh them do this.Maria:Whoe’er desires to dedicate himselfTo human progress and perform such workAs shall in course of time prove living forceMust first entrust himself unto those powersWho work in deep realities and bring,Where order with confusion aye doth fight,The rhythmic law of number and its power.For knowledge only hath true active life,That can reveal itself within the soulWhen it can bring to men, still clothed in flesh,The memory of life in spirit-realms.Thomasius:My course of life is thus made clear to me.I had to feel myself a twofold man.Through Benedictus’ help and through thine ownI am a being standing by myself;And all the forces that within me stirDo not belong at all to mine own self.Ye now have given me a manhood newWho must be willing to give other menWhat he hath gained by spirit-pupilship.He must devote himself unto the worldAs best he can: naught from that other manMust mingle and disturb what now at lastHe hath as true self-knowledge recognized.Contained in his own world he will go on,If his own strength and help from both his friendsShall in the future serve to form his fate.Maria:Whether thou walk’st in error or in truthThou canst keep ever clear the view ahead;Which lets thy soul press farther on its path,If thou dost bravely bear necessitiesImposed upon thee by the spirit-realm.CurtainScene 10The Temple of the mystic League mentioned in the first and second pictures. Here Benedictus, Torquatus, and Trustworthy have the robes and insignia of their office of Hierophant as described in the ‘Portal of Initiation.’ The Eastern altar supports a golden sphere; a blue sphere rests upon the Southern altar; whilst the sphere upon the altar of the West is red. As the scene opens Benedictus and Hilary are standing at the altar in the East; Bellicosus and Torquatus at the altar in the South; Trustworthy at the altar in the West; then enter Thomasius, Capesius, Strader; then Maria, Felix Balde, and Dame Balde; and later on the Soul of Theodora; and last of all the four Soul-Forces.Benedictus:The souls of all my pupils have receivedThe spirit-light, each in that special formWhich was appointed for him by his fate.What they have now achieved each for himselfEach now must render fruitful for mankind.But this can only happen, if their powersAccording unto number’s rhythmic lawDesire to join within the holy placeTo form the higher unity, which firstCan waken to true life what otherwiseCould only stay in solitary state.They stand upon the threshold of the shrine,Whose souls must first unite, and then shall soundIn unison according to the rulesImprinted in the cosmic book of fate.That what it could not bring to pass itselfThe spirit harmony may thus achieve.’Twill bring fresh inspiration to the oldWhich here hath nobly reigned since time was not.To you, ye brethren, I these pupils bringWho found their way here through the spirit-worldsAnd through the strictest proving of their souls.The holy customs will they treat with awe.And treasure ancient sacred mystic waysWhich here are seen as powers of spirit-light.Ye too, who have fulfilled in truest wiseYour lofty spirit-service for so long,Henceforth will be entrusted with new tasks.The cosmic plan doth call the sons of menBut for a time unto the sacred shrine,And when in service they exhaust their strengthIt guideth them to other fields of work.Even this temple had to stand its trial;And one man’s error had to guard it once,The guardian of the light—from darkness deep,One cosmic hour big with the fate of worlds.Thomasius perceived through inward lightWhich rules unconscious in the souls of men,That o’er its threshold he must not pursueHis way unto the holy mystic shrineEre he had crossed that other threshold o’er,Of which this only is the outward sign.So of himself he shut the door againWhich you would fain have opened wide in love.He will now as another come againWorthy of your initiation’s gift.Hilary:Our souls here humbly offer sacrificeUnto the spirit by whose power aloneThe inner soul of man is fructified.And we would strive that our own wills may beA revelation of the spirit-will.By cosmic wisdom is the temple ledWhich unconfused doth guide to future times.Thou showest us directions which thyselfHast read within the cosmic book of fate,What time thy pupils passed their proof severe.So lead them now within our sacred shrine,That they may join their work unto our own.(Hilary knocks within the Temple; then enter Thomasius, Capesius, Maria, Felix Balde, Dame Balde, and Strader. Trustworthy and Torquatus so guide their entrance that when they come to the middle of the Temple, Thomasius is standing in front of Benedictus and Hilary, Capesius in front of Bellicosus and Torquatus, Strader in front of Trustworthy, whilst Maria is with Felix and Dame Balde.)Hilary:My son, the words man utters in this placeSpell guilt which cries aloud to spirit-worldsUnless the speaker follows truth alone.As great the guilt, so strong too are the powersWhich strike it, and destroy the one who speaksAnd proves himself unworthy of his task.He who is standing here before thee now,Was conscious of the working of his wordsAnd tried to full extent of all his powersTo render service to the spirit-worldBefore this holy symbol of that lightWhich shines upon our Earth from out the east.It is the will of fate that thou henceforthShalt stand and serve within this sacred place.And he who consecrates thee to the taskAnd of his office hands thee now the key,Doth give his blessing also that it mayProve of good service, in so far as heHath served the sacred customs worthily.Thomasius:Exalted Master, he would not presume—This poor weak mortal, who doth dare to standBefore thee now in body,—e’en to shapeOne wish that thy successor he might beWithin this ancient consecrated place.He is not worthy e’en to place one stepAcross the threshold of this mystic shrine,But whathedares not wish for, for himself,He must perceive in deep humilitySince powers of fate have of necessityDesired to send this call unto his soul.It was not I, as I am in my lifeNor as I saw myself a short time backIn spirit, as a wholly worthless soul,That let me now draw near unto this place.And yet the man who stands here visibleHath been, by Benedictus and his friend,Endowed with second manhood, which the firstShall henceforth only as a bearer serve.The spirit-pupilship hath given meA self that can show forth itself with powerAnd to the full unfold its own pursuitsE’en when the bearer needs must know himselfFull far removed from lofty aims of soul.If, in such case, his duty it doth seemTo give this second self that’s roused in himTo service in the progress of the EarthHis life must aye observe this strictest ruleTo be a light before his spirit-eyes,That nought from his own self must enter inNor cause disturbance in that work, which heHath not himself arranged nor brought to passBut which his second self must execute.Concealed within himself he thus will workThat one day he may be what he doth knowTo be the future goal of his true self.Throughout his life he’ll carry his own caresLocked fast in deep recesses of his soul.I told thee when at first thou called’st meThat I could never tread the temple courtsIn mine own human personality.He who now comes, as though another’s lifeHad been entrusted to him, sees that fateHath laid on him the task of watching o’erResults of his own work and guiding themWith dutiful attention from this placeFor such time as the spirit doth command.Torquatus(in the South, to Capesius):Capesius, henceforth ’twill be thy taskTo serve the holy temple in this placeWhence love through wisdom shall stream forth to menAs warmly as the sunshine’s noontide rays.He who would to the spirit sacrificeWith understanding of the mystic work,Must needs face dangers here, for LuciferCan in this place draw near with secret treadTo whomsoever faithfully doth tryTo carry out the spirit-service here,And on each word he can impress the sealThat marks the adversary of the gods.Thou stood’st before the adversary’s throneAnd saw’st what follows his activities;So for thine office thou art well prepared.Capesius:He who hath viewed the adversary’s realmAs powers of fate permitted me to do,He knows that ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are but wordsWhich mankind scarce can understand aright.Who speaks of Lucifer as wholly badMight also say that fire is evil too,Because it hath a power that can kill life;He might call water evil, since a manMight in the water easily be drowned.Torquatus:Through other things doth Lucifer appearAs evil to thee; not through that which heWould indicate as evil of himself.Capesius:The cosmic spirit who could bring the lightTo souls of men when first the Earth was formedMust render service to the universe,In ways which in themselves seem neither goodNor evil unto spirits who have learnedWhat stern necessity doth oft reveal.For good can turn to ill, if evil mindsMake use of it for their destructive ends;And what seems evil may be turned to goodIf some good being guideth it aright.Torquatus:So dost thou know what thou wilt have to doSo long as thou dost stand within this place.Love doth not value powers that are revealedWithin the world by judgment’s stern decree—She treasures them for what they may bring forthAnd asks how she can mould and use the lifeWhich is created out of cosmic depths.Benedictus(in the East):Yet love speaks often with such gentle words,And needs support within the depths of soul.Here in this place she will unite with allThat follows cosmic law with threefold willAnd is unto the spirit dedicate.Maria will unite her work to thine.The vow she took in Lucifer’s domainIs now permitted to ray forth its powers.Maria:Capesius spake words of deep importWhich can reveal the truth if they proceedFrom that same spirit which can guide mankindToward true love, in progress of the Earth,But which but error upon error heapWhen they are fashioned by an evil mindAnd in the soul transform themselves to ill.’Tis true that Lucifer doth show himselfAs bearer of the light to man’s soul-sightWhen it would seek to gaze on spirit-space.But then the human soul will always wishTo waken also in its inmost depthsWhat it can only gaze on and admire.Although upon his beauty it may lookNe’er may it fall ’neath Lucifer’s fell swayLest he should gain the power to work within.When he, the bearer of the light, sends forthHis rays of wisdom and the worlds are filledWith haughty sense of self, and with full lightEach creature’s personality shines forthA pattern of his own imperious self,Then may the inmost being of the soulBuild up on this appearance, and rejoiceIn all its senses, whilst it radiatesThe joy of wisdom, all around, that livesIn its own self and loves to feel alive.But, more than any other spirit, manRequires a God who doth not only askFor admiration when his outward formReveals itself in glory to the soul,But One who radiates His highest powerWhen He Himself doth dwell within man’s soul,And loving unto death foretelleth life.A man may turn to Lucifer and feelInspired by beauty, or some splendour bright:And yet so live his life within himselfThat Lucifer can ne’er find entrance there;But to that other Spirit man doth cry,When he can fathom his own self aright:‘The goal of love for earthly souls—’tis thisNot I, but Christ, doth live within me now.’Benedictus(turning to Maria):And when her soul shall to her spirit bowAs she hath vowed to Lucifer, it shall,Then through her power on to the temple streamWith all that leads unto the health of Earth.And Christ will kindle in the hallowed placeOf wisdom warming rays of spirit-love.What she can thus accomplish in the worldIs done because the course of her own lifeIs bound up closely with that knot of fateWhich Karma spins in human lives on Earth.In some long-past existence, it was sheWho caused the son to leave his father’s home;And now she leads the son to him again.The soul, which in Thomasius now dwellsIn former life was to that one which nowFulfils itself within Capesius,As son to father bound by ties of blood.The father will not now through LuciferDemand the debt Maria owes to him,For by Christ’s power, the debt hath been annulled.Magnus Bellicosus(speaking to Hilary and Benedictus, but frequently turning to Felix Balde and Dame Balde):Within the holy place doth shine the lightWhich flows with power from out the spirit-heights,When souls can worthily receive its strength.But yet those lofty powers of wisdom’s realmWhich thus reveal themselves in mystic shrinesHave chosen also other paths to souls.The signs of our own times have made it clearThat all these paths must now be joined in one.The temple must unite itself with soulsWho have reached spirit-light in other waysAnd yet have been enlightened in good truth.Now Dame Felicia and her husband too,Are such as may approach this sacred placeAnd who can bring to it a wealth of light.Dame Balde:I can but tell the fairy-tales that riseWithin my heart quite of their own accord—only know about their spirit-sourceWhat oft Capesius hath told to me.In all humility I must believe,What he hath told me of my gift of soul;So also I believe what ye make clearWhy I am called within these temple walls.Felix Balde:I followed not alone the outward callSent to me by the guardian of this shrine;But true unto my spirit-pathway’s goalI have applied myself unto the powerWhich, as mine inmost guide, doth ever pointIn what direction I shall turn my stepsThat I may best be able to fulfilIn life what spirit-powers have foreordained.This time I saw quite clearly I was meantTo shun that way which Benedictus nowHath shown his pupils in the spirit-life.The signs that now I see within this shrineAppeared to me in vision previously.For often when my soul did tread the depthsAnd all self-will had been destroyed in me,And power and patience could maintain themselvesIn that dread loneliness which aye approachedBefore I could experience spirit-light,Then all the universe seemed one with me,And soon I found myself within that world,Where life’s true purpose was revealed to me.During such spirit-wand’rings I have beenIn many a temple which it seems to meResembles that which now my sense perceives,Just as the writing of the spoken wordMust show a written picture of the speech.Trustworthy(in the West, to Strader):Dear Strader, it is now thy destinyTo speak that word henceforth within the shrineWhich will agree with all ThomasiusMakes known to us, as sunset must agreeWith that hope-giving glow of morning light.This word, in its full sense doth seize uponThe working of that Power who showed himselfTo thee, when thou wert standing on thy trial.Thou hadst to stand within that spirit-placeWhere thought is strictly ordered to stand still.For if thine hand should wield a hammer nowAnd only strike the air, it could not knowThe power it hath, unless the blow should reachSome anvil; even so it is with thought.It ne’er could really fathom its own depthIf Ahriman were not opposed to it.All thought within thy life hath led thee onTo contradict thyself and this hath causedWithin thy soul both pain and heavy doubt.Thus didst thou learn to know thyself through thought;As light can only gaze upon itself,But through reflection that its rays cast forth;The words of him who serves the temple hereThus, in a picture, life’s reflection show.Strader:In truth the light of thought for long time streamedBut through reflection into mine own life;Yet for full seven years the spirit showedItself to me in its bright splendour too,And did reveal those worlds unto my soul,In front of which my soul had formerlyStood ever still in torment and in doubt.Within my soul this light must grow so deepThat it shall last through all eternity,If I would find the path to spirit-aimsAnd make my own creations bring forth health.Theodora(becoming visible, as a spirit-being, at Strader’s side):I was allowed to win this light for you,Because thy power did strive toward my light,As soon as thy right time had been fulfilled.Strader:So too thy light, thou spirit-messenger,Will stream o’er all the words that in this placeShall be wrung forth from out mine inmost soul.For Theodora’s self is now with mineTo holy mystic service consecrate.(Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia appear in a glowing cloud of light.)The Other Philia:To Earth’s primeval sourceMount thoughts of sacrificeFrom many a holy shrine;Let all that lives in souls,Let all that spirit lightsSoar to the world of form;Let cosmic-powers inclineWith graciousness to men,To kindle spirit-lightWithin their powers of soul.Philia:From cosmic spirits IWill beg their being’s light,The soul-sense to uphold;The sound too of their words,To loose the spirit-ear,That what hath been arousedUpon the paths of soulMay not become extinctIn lives of men on Earth.Astrid:The love-streams will I guideThat fill the world with warmthUnto the spirits ofInitiated men,That thus the sacred riteMay be preserved and keptWithin the hearts of men.Luna:From primal powers will IFor might and courage pray,For these will help to makeSelf-sacrifice to grow,So that it may transformWhat now is seen in timeAnd change to spirit-seedsFor all eternity.Curtain falls while all the characters, including Theodora, Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia are still inside the Temple.

A pleasant, sunny morning landscape, in a terraced garden overlooking a town with many factories.

Benedictus, Capesius, Maria, Thomasius, and Strader are discovered walking up and down and engaged in leisurely conversation. Benedictus wears a white biretta and is in his white robe, but without the golden stole.

Capesius:Here is the place, where Benedictus oftIn soft warm sunlight of a summer mornGave himself to his pupils that they mightIn reverent mood receive his wisdom’s words.Out yonder lies what ever must divideWith pitiless intent the souls of menFrom all the wondrous beauty of the earth,That nature’s God doth shower so bounteous here.In yon waste sea of houses in the townDoth Benedictus ever nobly striveTo heal this human woe by deeds of love.And when with human words so wise and trueHe tells his pupils of the spirit-world,He seeks for hearts, which free creative powerThat here reveals itself in wakening souls,Hath filled with sunshine and with love for men.I, too, may now behold the happinessWhich through his words doth reach the heart of man.Since he in love hath underta’en the taskOf guiding me within the spirit-world:And now when I may feel that he is nearI shall again discover mine own self.

Capesius:

Here is the place, where Benedictus oft

In soft warm sunlight of a summer morn

Gave himself to his pupils that they might

In reverent mood receive his wisdom’s words.

Out yonder lies what ever must divide

With pitiless intent the souls of men

From all the wondrous beauty of the earth,

That nature’s God doth shower so bounteous here.

In yon waste sea of houses in the town

Doth Benedictus ever nobly strive

To heal this human woe by deeds of love.

And when with human words so wise and true

He tells his pupils of the spirit-world,

He seeks for hearts, which free creative power

That here reveals itself in wakening souls,

Hath filled with sunshine and with love for men.

I, too, may now behold the happiness

Which through his words doth reach the heart of man.

Since he in love hath underta’en the task

Of guiding me within the spirit-world:

And now when I may feel that he is near

I shall again discover mine own self.

Benedictus:Within the circle of my pupils hereThrough free-will acts of others and thyselfA knot shall one day loosen in the threadsWhich Karma spins in lives of men on earth.Thy life itself will help to loose this knot.In hearts of men who give themselves in truthTo follow wisdom, which I serve myself,Thou canst by thine own power discover thoseJoined unto whom thou wilt complete the workFor which in spirit thou hast been prepared.

Benedictus:

Within the circle of my pupils here

Through free-will acts of others and thyself

A knot shall one day loosen in the threads

Which Karma spins in lives of men on earth.

Thy life itself will help to loose this knot.

In hearts of men who give themselves in truth

To follow wisdom, which I serve myself,

Thou canst by thine own power discover those

Joined unto whom thou wilt complete the work

For which in spirit thou hast been prepared.

Capesius:Thee have I known, and I will follow thee.As I held converse with mine inmost soul,When I had been allowed to hear thy wordsWithin the spirit-realm in their true form,And thou hadst brought me to myself again,Then could I see portrayed in spirit-lightThe aims which in the progress of the earthI was to follow in my future lives.And now I know that thou didst choose for meThe one right way for this to be revealed.

Capesius:

Thee have I known, and I will follow thee.

As I held converse with mine inmost soul,

When I had been allowed to hear thy words

Within the spirit-realm in their true form,

And thou hadst brought me to myself again,

Then could I see portrayed in spirit-light

The aims which in the progress of the earth

I was to follow in my future lives.

And now I know that thou didst choose for me

The one right way for this to be revealed.

Benedictus:Thomasius and Strader will henceforthUnited with thyself accomplish muchThat best may serve to further human health.They have prepared the soul-powers which are theirsWith such intent since first the Earth beganThat they can join to form a trinityWith thine own spirit in the cosmic course.

Benedictus:

Thomasius and Strader will henceforth

United with thyself accomplish much

That best may serve to further human health.

They have prepared the soul-powers which are theirs

With such intent since first the Earth began

That they can join to form a trinity

With thine own spirit in the cosmic course.

Capesius:So I must thank my fate’s unbending powersWhich seemed at first incomprehensible,That when the rightful moment came at lastMy life’s aim suddenly revealed itself.

Capesius:

So I must thank my fate’s unbending powers

Which seemed at first incomprehensible,

That when the rightful moment came at last

My life’s aim suddenly revealed itself.

(He pauses meditatively.)

How wonderfully hast thou led me on:It seemed at first as if I strove in vainTo enter with my spirit consciouslyInto those worlds which by thy words are placedSo thoughtfully before the souls of men.For many years I could find nought but thoughtsWhen in thy writings I absorbed myself.And then, quite suddenly, around me flowedThe spirit-world in its reality;I scarce knew how to find myself arightWithin my former more accustomed world.

How wonderfully hast thou led me on:

It seemed at first as if I strove in vain

To enter with my spirit consciously

Into those worlds which by thy words are placed

So thoughtfully before the souls of men.

For many years I could find nought but thoughts

When in thy writings I absorbed myself.

And then, quite suddenly, around me flowed

The spirit-world in its reality;

I scarce knew how to find myself aright

Within my former more accustomed world.

Benedictus:That would have hid the spirit-life from theeFor ever by its strong effective powerUnless the stronger forces ofthislifeHad first reduced it to a shadow dim.And so thou too, with thy full spirit-sightMust on that threshold learn to know thyself,Where others first can gain their spirit-sight.

Benedictus:

That would have hid the spirit-life from thee

For ever by its strong effective power

Unless the stronger forces ofthislife

Had first reduced it to a shadow dim.

And so thou too, with thy full spirit-sight

Must on that threshold learn to know thyself,

Where others first can gain their spirit-sight.

(During the last words Strader walks up to Capesius and the three go away together: after a short time Benedictus returns with Strader.)

Strader:It gave deep pain, within mine inmost selfAnd weighed with heavy pressure on my soulWhen on awaking to myself I foundI was again within my body pentFrom which thy words had given me release.My deadened soul-life first tormented meOn my return, yet ’twas not only pain;For it brought forth in me the memoryOf all I lived through ere I saw with dreadWhat I could learn from Ahriman himself,That every thought must cease its progress there.I had to ask myself why I was setBy Benedictus’ word within this realmWhere souls alone are taken into countAnd only those are valued which can helpToward the objects, which that power desiresTo make his own through deeds that I have done.He, in his wisdom, wanted to selectTwelve helpers from the number of mankind.

Strader:

It gave deep pain, within mine inmost self

And weighed with heavy pressure on my soul

When on awaking to myself I found

I was again within my body pent

From which thy words had given me release.

My deadened soul-life first tormented me

On my return, yet ’twas not only pain;

For it brought forth in me the memory

Of all I lived through ere I saw with dread

What I could learn from Ahriman himself,

That every thought must cease its progress there.

I had to ask myself why I was set

By Benedictus’ word within this realm

Where souls alone are taken into count

And only those are valued which can help

Toward the objects, which that power desires

To make his own through deeds that I have done.

He, in his wisdom, wanted to select

Twelve helpers from the number of mankind.

Benedictus:Yet ’tis well known to thee why all these souls,Which Ahriman showed forth, drew near to thee,When he would force himself upon their fates.

Benedictus:

Yet ’tis well known to thee why all these souls,

Which Ahriman showed forth, drew near to thee,

When he would force himself upon their fates.

Strader:That also bitter pain revealed to me:It showed how in a former life on EarthI was united to a brotherhoodWhich now hath formed again its mystic league,And how those people stood towards myself,Who were in their true nature then revealed.And I could feel quite sure that AhrimanWill use the bond, which e’en in future livesMust ever surely bind their souls to mine.

Strader:

That also bitter pain revealed to me:

It showed how in a former life on Earth

I was united to a brotherhood

Which now hath formed again its mystic league,

And how those people stood towards myself,

Who were in their true nature then revealed.

And I could feel quite sure that Ahriman

Will use the bond, which e’en in future lives

Must ever surely bind their souls to mine.

Benedictus:The cosmic powers do so direct their deedsThat these with cosmic progress may uniteBy following in wisdom number’s laws.The sign how this direction is fulfilledShows itself clearly to the outer sense;If it doth watch the Sun upon the courseHe takes throughout the constellations twelve.It is his place amongst those very signsWhich shows how on the Earth things come to passIn strict succession in long course of time.So Ahriman desired to mould the soulsOf those who are united thus to theeTo powers from whence thy work might shine afar.He also wished to follow number’s lawsIn binding their soul-nature unto thine.

Benedictus:

The cosmic powers do so direct their deeds

That these with cosmic progress may unite

By following in wisdom number’s laws.

The sign how this direction is fulfilled

Shows itself clearly to the outer sense;

If it doth watch the Sun upon the course

He takes throughout the constellations twelve.

It is his place amongst those very signs

Which shows how on the Earth things come to pass

In strict succession in long course of time.

So Ahriman desired to mould the souls

Of those who are united thus to thee

To powers from whence thy work might shine afar.

He also wished to follow number’s laws

In binding their soul-nature unto thine.

Strader:Since I have learned the sense of number’s law,So shall I too succeed in rescuingMy work from out the realm of AhrimanAnd offering it to the gods of Earth.

Strader:

Since I have learned the sense of number’s law,

So shall I too succeed in rescuing

My work from out the realm of Ahriman

And offering it to the gods of Earth.

Benedictus:It was through Ahriman thou hadst to learnThe sense of number in the universe;So was it needful for thine own soul’s good.’Twas spirit-pupilship that guided theeInto that realm, which thou didst need to knowIf thy creative power should bloom aright.

Benedictus:

It was through Ahriman thou hadst to learn

The sense of number in the universe;

So was it needful for thine own soul’s good.

’Twas spirit-pupilship that guided thee

Into that realm, which thou didst need to know

If thy creative power should bloom aright.

(Exeunt Benedictus and Strader. Maria and Thomasius appear from the other side.)

Maria:Johannes, knowledge hath thy soul acquiredFrom truth’s cold realms. No longer wilt thou nowWeave only in thy pictures that which souls,Still pent within the body, live in dreams,For far from cosmic progress are those thoughtsWhich but as self-begotten show themselves.

Maria:

Johannes, knowledge hath thy soul acquired

From truth’s cold realms. No longer wilt thou now

Weave only in thy pictures that which souls,

Still pent within the body, live in dreams,

For far from cosmic progress are those thoughts

Which but as self-begotten show themselves.

Thomasius:’Tis love of self—although they may pretend’Tis thirst for knowledge maketh them do this.

Thomasius:

’Tis love of self—although they may pretend

’Tis thirst for knowledge maketh them do this.

Maria:Whoe’er desires to dedicate himselfTo human progress and perform such workAs shall in course of time prove living forceMust first entrust himself unto those powersWho work in deep realities and bring,Where order with confusion aye doth fight,The rhythmic law of number and its power.For knowledge only hath true active life,That can reveal itself within the soulWhen it can bring to men, still clothed in flesh,The memory of life in spirit-realms.

Maria:

Whoe’er desires to dedicate himself

To human progress and perform such work

As shall in course of time prove living force

Must first entrust himself unto those powers

Who work in deep realities and bring,

Where order with confusion aye doth fight,

The rhythmic law of number and its power.

For knowledge only hath true active life,

That can reveal itself within the soul

When it can bring to men, still clothed in flesh,

The memory of life in spirit-realms.

Thomasius:My course of life is thus made clear to me.I had to feel myself a twofold man.Through Benedictus’ help and through thine ownI am a being standing by myself;And all the forces that within me stirDo not belong at all to mine own self.Ye now have given me a manhood newWho must be willing to give other menWhat he hath gained by spirit-pupilship.He must devote himself unto the worldAs best he can: naught from that other manMust mingle and disturb what now at lastHe hath as true self-knowledge recognized.Contained in his own world he will go on,If his own strength and help from both his friendsShall in the future serve to form his fate.

Thomasius:

My course of life is thus made clear to me.

I had to feel myself a twofold man.

Through Benedictus’ help and through thine own

I am a being standing by myself;

And all the forces that within me stir

Do not belong at all to mine own self.

Ye now have given me a manhood new

Who must be willing to give other men

What he hath gained by spirit-pupilship.

He must devote himself unto the world

As best he can: naught from that other man

Must mingle and disturb what now at last

He hath as true self-knowledge recognized.

Contained in his own world he will go on,

If his own strength and help from both his friends

Shall in the future serve to form his fate.

Maria:Whether thou walk’st in error or in truthThou canst keep ever clear the view ahead;Which lets thy soul press farther on its path,If thou dost bravely bear necessitiesImposed upon thee by the spirit-realm.

Maria:

Whether thou walk’st in error or in truth

Thou canst keep ever clear the view ahead;

Which lets thy soul press farther on its path,

If thou dost bravely bear necessities

Imposed upon thee by the spirit-realm.

Curtain

Scene 10The Temple of the mystic League mentioned in the first and second pictures. Here Benedictus, Torquatus, and Trustworthy have the robes and insignia of their office of Hierophant as described in the ‘Portal of Initiation.’ The Eastern altar supports a golden sphere; a blue sphere rests upon the Southern altar; whilst the sphere upon the altar of the West is red. As the scene opens Benedictus and Hilary are standing at the altar in the East; Bellicosus and Torquatus at the altar in the South; Trustworthy at the altar in the West; then enter Thomasius, Capesius, Strader; then Maria, Felix Balde, and Dame Balde; and later on the Soul of Theodora; and last of all the four Soul-Forces.Benedictus:The souls of all my pupils have receivedThe spirit-light, each in that special formWhich was appointed for him by his fate.What they have now achieved each for himselfEach now must render fruitful for mankind.But this can only happen, if their powersAccording unto number’s rhythmic lawDesire to join within the holy placeTo form the higher unity, which firstCan waken to true life what otherwiseCould only stay in solitary state.They stand upon the threshold of the shrine,Whose souls must first unite, and then shall soundIn unison according to the rulesImprinted in the cosmic book of fate.That what it could not bring to pass itselfThe spirit harmony may thus achieve.’Twill bring fresh inspiration to the oldWhich here hath nobly reigned since time was not.To you, ye brethren, I these pupils bringWho found their way here through the spirit-worldsAnd through the strictest proving of their souls.The holy customs will they treat with awe.And treasure ancient sacred mystic waysWhich here are seen as powers of spirit-light.Ye too, who have fulfilled in truest wiseYour lofty spirit-service for so long,Henceforth will be entrusted with new tasks.The cosmic plan doth call the sons of menBut for a time unto the sacred shrine,And when in service they exhaust their strengthIt guideth them to other fields of work.Even this temple had to stand its trial;And one man’s error had to guard it once,The guardian of the light—from darkness deep,One cosmic hour big with the fate of worlds.Thomasius perceived through inward lightWhich rules unconscious in the souls of men,That o’er its threshold he must not pursueHis way unto the holy mystic shrineEre he had crossed that other threshold o’er,Of which this only is the outward sign.So of himself he shut the door againWhich you would fain have opened wide in love.He will now as another come againWorthy of your initiation’s gift.Hilary:Our souls here humbly offer sacrificeUnto the spirit by whose power aloneThe inner soul of man is fructified.And we would strive that our own wills may beA revelation of the spirit-will.By cosmic wisdom is the temple ledWhich unconfused doth guide to future times.Thou showest us directions which thyselfHast read within the cosmic book of fate,What time thy pupils passed their proof severe.So lead them now within our sacred shrine,That they may join their work unto our own.(Hilary knocks within the Temple; then enter Thomasius, Capesius, Maria, Felix Balde, Dame Balde, and Strader. Trustworthy and Torquatus so guide their entrance that when they come to the middle of the Temple, Thomasius is standing in front of Benedictus and Hilary, Capesius in front of Bellicosus and Torquatus, Strader in front of Trustworthy, whilst Maria is with Felix and Dame Balde.)Hilary:My son, the words man utters in this placeSpell guilt which cries aloud to spirit-worldsUnless the speaker follows truth alone.As great the guilt, so strong too are the powersWhich strike it, and destroy the one who speaksAnd proves himself unworthy of his task.He who is standing here before thee now,Was conscious of the working of his wordsAnd tried to full extent of all his powersTo render service to the spirit-worldBefore this holy symbol of that lightWhich shines upon our Earth from out the east.It is the will of fate that thou henceforthShalt stand and serve within this sacred place.And he who consecrates thee to the taskAnd of his office hands thee now the key,Doth give his blessing also that it mayProve of good service, in so far as heHath served the sacred customs worthily.Thomasius:Exalted Master, he would not presume—This poor weak mortal, who doth dare to standBefore thee now in body,—e’en to shapeOne wish that thy successor he might beWithin this ancient consecrated place.He is not worthy e’en to place one stepAcross the threshold of this mystic shrine,But whathedares not wish for, for himself,He must perceive in deep humilitySince powers of fate have of necessityDesired to send this call unto his soul.It was not I, as I am in my lifeNor as I saw myself a short time backIn spirit, as a wholly worthless soul,That let me now draw near unto this place.And yet the man who stands here visibleHath been, by Benedictus and his friend,Endowed with second manhood, which the firstShall henceforth only as a bearer serve.The spirit-pupilship hath given meA self that can show forth itself with powerAnd to the full unfold its own pursuitsE’en when the bearer needs must know himselfFull far removed from lofty aims of soul.If, in such case, his duty it doth seemTo give this second self that’s roused in himTo service in the progress of the EarthHis life must aye observe this strictest ruleTo be a light before his spirit-eyes,That nought from his own self must enter inNor cause disturbance in that work, which heHath not himself arranged nor brought to passBut which his second self must execute.Concealed within himself he thus will workThat one day he may be what he doth knowTo be the future goal of his true self.Throughout his life he’ll carry his own caresLocked fast in deep recesses of his soul.I told thee when at first thou called’st meThat I could never tread the temple courtsIn mine own human personality.He who now comes, as though another’s lifeHad been entrusted to him, sees that fateHath laid on him the task of watching o’erResults of his own work and guiding themWith dutiful attention from this placeFor such time as the spirit doth command.Torquatus(in the South, to Capesius):Capesius, henceforth ’twill be thy taskTo serve the holy temple in this placeWhence love through wisdom shall stream forth to menAs warmly as the sunshine’s noontide rays.He who would to the spirit sacrificeWith understanding of the mystic work,Must needs face dangers here, for LuciferCan in this place draw near with secret treadTo whomsoever faithfully doth tryTo carry out the spirit-service here,And on each word he can impress the sealThat marks the adversary of the gods.Thou stood’st before the adversary’s throneAnd saw’st what follows his activities;So for thine office thou art well prepared.Capesius:He who hath viewed the adversary’s realmAs powers of fate permitted me to do,He knows that ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are but wordsWhich mankind scarce can understand aright.Who speaks of Lucifer as wholly badMight also say that fire is evil too,Because it hath a power that can kill life;He might call water evil, since a manMight in the water easily be drowned.Torquatus:Through other things doth Lucifer appearAs evil to thee; not through that which heWould indicate as evil of himself.Capesius:The cosmic spirit who could bring the lightTo souls of men when first the Earth was formedMust render service to the universe,In ways which in themselves seem neither goodNor evil unto spirits who have learnedWhat stern necessity doth oft reveal.For good can turn to ill, if evil mindsMake use of it for their destructive ends;And what seems evil may be turned to goodIf some good being guideth it aright.Torquatus:So dost thou know what thou wilt have to doSo long as thou dost stand within this place.Love doth not value powers that are revealedWithin the world by judgment’s stern decree—She treasures them for what they may bring forthAnd asks how she can mould and use the lifeWhich is created out of cosmic depths.Benedictus(in the East):Yet love speaks often with such gentle words,And needs support within the depths of soul.Here in this place she will unite with allThat follows cosmic law with threefold willAnd is unto the spirit dedicate.Maria will unite her work to thine.The vow she took in Lucifer’s domainIs now permitted to ray forth its powers.Maria:Capesius spake words of deep importWhich can reveal the truth if they proceedFrom that same spirit which can guide mankindToward true love, in progress of the Earth,But which but error upon error heapWhen they are fashioned by an evil mindAnd in the soul transform themselves to ill.’Tis true that Lucifer doth show himselfAs bearer of the light to man’s soul-sightWhen it would seek to gaze on spirit-space.But then the human soul will always wishTo waken also in its inmost depthsWhat it can only gaze on and admire.Although upon his beauty it may lookNe’er may it fall ’neath Lucifer’s fell swayLest he should gain the power to work within.When he, the bearer of the light, sends forthHis rays of wisdom and the worlds are filledWith haughty sense of self, and with full lightEach creature’s personality shines forthA pattern of his own imperious self,Then may the inmost being of the soulBuild up on this appearance, and rejoiceIn all its senses, whilst it radiatesThe joy of wisdom, all around, that livesIn its own self and loves to feel alive.But, more than any other spirit, manRequires a God who doth not only askFor admiration when his outward formReveals itself in glory to the soul,But One who radiates His highest powerWhen He Himself doth dwell within man’s soul,And loving unto death foretelleth life.A man may turn to Lucifer and feelInspired by beauty, or some splendour bright:And yet so live his life within himselfThat Lucifer can ne’er find entrance there;But to that other Spirit man doth cry,When he can fathom his own self aright:‘The goal of love for earthly souls—’tis thisNot I, but Christ, doth live within me now.’Benedictus(turning to Maria):And when her soul shall to her spirit bowAs she hath vowed to Lucifer, it shall,Then through her power on to the temple streamWith all that leads unto the health of Earth.And Christ will kindle in the hallowed placeOf wisdom warming rays of spirit-love.What she can thus accomplish in the worldIs done because the course of her own lifeIs bound up closely with that knot of fateWhich Karma spins in human lives on Earth.In some long-past existence, it was sheWho caused the son to leave his father’s home;And now she leads the son to him again.The soul, which in Thomasius now dwellsIn former life was to that one which nowFulfils itself within Capesius,As son to father bound by ties of blood.The father will not now through LuciferDemand the debt Maria owes to him,For by Christ’s power, the debt hath been annulled.Magnus Bellicosus(speaking to Hilary and Benedictus, but frequently turning to Felix Balde and Dame Balde):Within the holy place doth shine the lightWhich flows with power from out the spirit-heights,When souls can worthily receive its strength.But yet those lofty powers of wisdom’s realmWhich thus reveal themselves in mystic shrinesHave chosen also other paths to souls.The signs of our own times have made it clearThat all these paths must now be joined in one.The temple must unite itself with soulsWho have reached spirit-light in other waysAnd yet have been enlightened in good truth.Now Dame Felicia and her husband too,Are such as may approach this sacred placeAnd who can bring to it a wealth of light.Dame Balde:I can but tell the fairy-tales that riseWithin my heart quite of their own accord—only know about their spirit-sourceWhat oft Capesius hath told to me.In all humility I must believe,What he hath told me of my gift of soul;So also I believe what ye make clearWhy I am called within these temple walls.Felix Balde:I followed not alone the outward callSent to me by the guardian of this shrine;But true unto my spirit-pathway’s goalI have applied myself unto the powerWhich, as mine inmost guide, doth ever pointIn what direction I shall turn my stepsThat I may best be able to fulfilIn life what spirit-powers have foreordained.This time I saw quite clearly I was meantTo shun that way which Benedictus nowHath shown his pupils in the spirit-life.The signs that now I see within this shrineAppeared to me in vision previously.For often when my soul did tread the depthsAnd all self-will had been destroyed in me,And power and patience could maintain themselvesIn that dread loneliness which aye approachedBefore I could experience spirit-light,Then all the universe seemed one with me,And soon I found myself within that world,Where life’s true purpose was revealed to me.During such spirit-wand’rings I have beenIn many a temple which it seems to meResembles that which now my sense perceives,Just as the writing of the spoken wordMust show a written picture of the speech.Trustworthy(in the West, to Strader):Dear Strader, it is now thy destinyTo speak that word henceforth within the shrineWhich will agree with all ThomasiusMakes known to us, as sunset must agreeWith that hope-giving glow of morning light.This word, in its full sense doth seize uponThe working of that Power who showed himselfTo thee, when thou wert standing on thy trial.Thou hadst to stand within that spirit-placeWhere thought is strictly ordered to stand still.For if thine hand should wield a hammer nowAnd only strike the air, it could not knowThe power it hath, unless the blow should reachSome anvil; even so it is with thought.It ne’er could really fathom its own depthIf Ahriman were not opposed to it.All thought within thy life hath led thee onTo contradict thyself and this hath causedWithin thy soul both pain and heavy doubt.Thus didst thou learn to know thyself through thought;As light can only gaze upon itself,But through reflection that its rays cast forth;The words of him who serves the temple hereThus, in a picture, life’s reflection show.Strader:In truth the light of thought for long time streamedBut through reflection into mine own life;Yet for full seven years the spirit showedItself to me in its bright splendour too,And did reveal those worlds unto my soul,In front of which my soul had formerlyStood ever still in torment and in doubt.Within my soul this light must grow so deepThat it shall last through all eternity,If I would find the path to spirit-aimsAnd make my own creations bring forth health.Theodora(becoming visible, as a spirit-being, at Strader’s side):I was allowed to win this light for you,Because thy power did strive toward my light,As soon as thy right time had been fulfilled.Strader:So too thy light, thou spirit-messenger,Will stream o’er all the words that in this placeShall be wrung forth from out mine inmost soul.For Theodora’s self is now with mineTo holy mystic service consecrate.(Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia appear in a glowing cloud of light.)The Other Philia:To Earth’s primeval sourceMount thoughts of sacrificeFrom many a holy shrine;Let all that lives in souls,Let all that spirit lightsSoar to the world of form;Let cosmic-powers inclineWith graciousness to men,To kindle spirit-lightWithin their powers of soul.Philia:From cosmic spirits IWill beg their being’s light,The soul-sense to uphold;The sound too of their words,To loose the spirit-ear,That what hath been arousedUpon the paths of soulMay not become extinctIn lives of men on Earth.Astrid:The love-streams will I guideThat fill the world with warmthUnto the spirits ofInitiated men,That thus the sacred riteMay be preserved and keptWithin the hearts of men.Luna:From primal powers will IFor might and courage pray,For these will help to makeSelf-sacrifice to grow,So that it may transformWhat now is seen in timeAnd change to spirit-seedsFor all eternity.Curtain falls while all the characters, including Theodora, Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia are still inside the Temple.

The Temple of the mystic League mentioned in the first and second pictures. Here Benedictus, Torquatus, and Trustworthy have the robes and insignia of their office of Hierophant as described in the ‘Portal of Initiation.’ The Eastern altar supports a golden sphere; a blue sphere rests upon the Southern altar; whilst the sphere upon the altar of the West is red. As the scene opens Benedictus and Hilary are standing at the altar in the East; Bellicosus and Torquatus at the altar in the South; Trustworthy at the altar in the West; then enter Thomasius, Capesius, Strader; then Maria, Felix Balde, and Dame Balde; and later on the Soul of Theodora; and last of all the four Soul-Forces.

Benedictus:The souls of all my pupils have receivedThe spirit-light, each in that special formWhich was appointed for him by his fate.What they have now achieved each for himselfEach now must render fruitful for mankind.But this can only happen, if their powersAccording unto number’s rhythmic lawDesire to join within the holy placeTo form the higher unity, which firstCan waken to true life what otherwiseCould only stay in solitary state.They stand upon the threshold of the shrine,Whose souls must first unite, and then shall soundIn unison according to the rulesImprinted in the cosmic book of fate.That what it could not bring to pass itselfThe spirit harmony may thus achieve.’Twill bring fresh inspiration to the oldWhich here hath nobly reigned since time was not.To you, ye brethren, I these pupils bringWho found their way here through the spirit-worldsAnd through the strictest proving of their souls.The holy customs will they treat with awe.And treasure ancient sacred mystic waysWhich here are seen as powers of spirit-light.Ye too, who have fulfilled in truest wiseYour lofty spirit-service for so long,Henceforth will be entrusted with new tasks.The cosmic plan doth call the sons of menBut for a time unto the sacred shrine,And when in service they exhaust their strengthIt guideth them to other fields of work.Even this temple had to stand its trial;And one man’s error had to guard it once,The guardian of the light—from darkness deep,One cosmic hour big with the fate of worlds.Thomasius perceived through inward lightWhich rules unconscious in the souls of men,That o’er its threshold he must not pursueHis way unto the holy mystic shrineEre he had crossed that other threshold o’er,Of which this only is the outward sign.So of himself he shut the door againWhich you would fain have opened wide in love.He will now as another come againWorthy of your initiation’s gift.

Benedictus:

The souls of all my pupils have received

The spirit-light, each in that special form

Which was appointed for him by his fate.

What they have now achieved each for himself

Each now must render fruitful for mankind.

But this can only happen, if their powers

According unto number’s rhythmic law

Desire to join within the holy place

To form the higher unity, which first

Can waken to true life what otherwise

Could only stay in solitary state.

They stand upon the threshold of the shrine,

Whose souls must first unite, and then shall sound

In unison according to the rules

Imprinted in the cosmic book of fate.

That what it could not bring to pass itself

The spirit harmony may thus achieve.

’Twill bring fresh inspiration to the old

Which here hath nobly reigned since time was not.

To you, ye brethren, I these pupils bring

Who found their way here through the spirit-worlds

And through the strictest proving of their souls.

The holy customs will they treat with awe.

And treasure ancient sacred mystic ways

Which here are seen as powers of spirit-light.

Ye too, who have fulfilled in truest wise

Your lofty spirit-service for so long,

Henceforth will be entrusted with new tasks.

The cosmic plan doth call the sons of men

But for a time unto the sacred shrine,

And when in service they exhaust their strength

It guideth them to other fields of work.

Even this temple had to stand its trial;

And one man’s error had to guard it once,

The guardian of the light—from darkness deep,

One cosmic hour big with the fate of worlds.

Thomasius perceived through inward light

Which rules unconscious in the souls of men,

That o’er its threshold he must not pursue

His way unto the holy mystic shrine

Ere he had crossed that other threshold o’er,

Of which this only is the outward sign.

So of himself he shut the door again

Which you would fain have opened wide in love.

He will now as another come again

Worthy of your initiation’s gift.

Hilary:Our souls here humbly offer sacrificeUnto the spirit by whose power aloneThe inner soul of man is fructified.And we would strive that our own wills may beA revelation of the spirit-will.By cosmic wisdom is the temple ledWhich unconfused doth guide to future times.Thou showest us directions which thyselfHast read within the cosmic book of fate,What time thy pupils passed their proof severe.So lead them now within our sacred shrine,That they may join their work unto our own.

Hilary:

Our souls here humbly offer sacrifice

Unto the spirit by whose power alone

The inner soul of man is fructified.

And we would strive that our own wills may be

A revelation of the spirit-will.

By cosmic wisdom is the temple led

Which unconfused doth guide to future times.

Thou showest us directions which thyself

Hast read within the cosmic book of fate,

What time thy pupils passed their proof severe.

So lead them now within our sacred shrine,

That they may join their work unto our own.

(Hilary knocks within the Temple; then enter Thomasius, Capesius, Maria, Felix Balde, Dame Balde, and Strader. Trustworthy and Torquatus so guide their entrance that when they come to the middle of the Temple, Thomasius is standing in front of Benedictus and Hilary, Capesius in front of Bellicosus and Torquatus, Strader in front of Trustworthy, whilst Maria is with Felix and Dame Balde.)

Hilary:My son, the words man utters in this placeSpell guilt which cries aloud to spirit-worldsUnless the speaker follows truth alone.As great the guilt, so strong too are the powersWhich strike it, and destroy the one who speaksAnd proves himself unworthy of his task.He who is standing here before thee now,Was conscious of the working of his wordsAnd tried to full extent of all his powersTo render service to the spirit-worldBefore this holy symbol of that lightWhich shines upon our Earth from out the east.It is the will of fate that thou henceforthShalt stand and serve within this sacred place.And he who consecrates thee to the taskAnd of his office hands thee now the key,Doth give his blessing also that it mayProve of good service, in so far as heHath served the sacred customs worthily.

Hilary:

My son, the words man utters in this place

Spell guilt which cries aloud to spirit-worlds

Unless the speaker follows truth alone.

As great the guilt, so strong too are the powers

Which strike it, and destroy the one who speaks

And proves himself unworthy of his task.

He who is standing here before thee now,

Was conscious of the working of his words

And tried to full extent of all his powers

To render service to the spirit-world

Before this holy symbol of that light

Which shines upon our Earth from out the east.

It is the will of fate that thou henceforth

Shalt stand and serve within this sacred place.

And he who consecrates thee to the task

And of his office hands thee now the key,

Doth give his blessing also that it may

Prove of good service, in so far as he

Hath served the sacred customs worthily.

Thomasius:Exalted Master, he would not presume—This poor weak mortal, who doth dare to standBefore thee now in body,—e’en to shapeOne wish that thy successor he might beWithin this ancient consecrated place.He is not worthy e’en to place one stepAcross the threshold of this mystic shrine,But whathedares not wish for, for himself,He must perceive in deep humilitySince powers of fate have of necessityDesired to send this call unto his soul.It was not I, as I am in my lifeNor as I saw myself a short time backIn spirit, as a wholly worthless soul,That let me now draw near unto this place.And yet the man who stands here visibleHath been, by Benedictus and his friend,Endowed with second manhood, which the firstShall henceforth only as a bearer serve.The spirit-pupilship hath given meA self that can show forth itself with powerAnd to the full unfold its own pursuitsE’en when the bearer needs must know himselfFull far removed from lofty aims of soul.If, in such case, his duty it doth seemTo give this second self that’s roused in himTo service in the progress of the EarthHis life must aye observe this strictest ruleTo be a light before his spirit-eyes,That nought from his own self must enter inNor cause disturbance in that work, which heHath not himself arranged nor brought to passBut which his second self must execute.Concealed within himself he thus will workThat one day he may be what he doth knowTo be the future goal of his true self.Throughout his life he’ll carry his own caresLocked fast in deep recesses of his soul.I told thee when at first thou called’st meThat I could never tread the temple courtsIn mine own human personality.He who now comes, as though another’s lifeHad been entrusted to him, sees that fateHath laid on him the task of watching o’erResults of his own work and guiding themWith dutiful attention from this placeFor such time as the spirit doth command.

Thomasius:

Exalted Master, he would not presume—

This poor weak mortal, who doth dare to stand

Before thee now in body,—e’en to shape

One wish that thy successor he might be

Within this ancient consecrated place.

He is not worthy e’en to place one step

Across the threshold of this mystic shrine,

But whathedares not wish for, for himself,

He must perceive in deep humility

Since powers of fate have of necessity

Desired to send this call unto his soul.

It was not I, as I am in my life

Nor as I saw myself a short time back

In spirit, as a wholly worthless soul,

That let me now draw near unto this place.

And yet the man who stands here visible

Hath been, by Benedictus and his friend,

Endowed with second manhood, which the first

Shall henceforth only as a bearer serve.

The spirit-pupilship hath given me

A self that can show forth itself with power

And to the full unfold its own pursuits

E’en when the bearer needs must know himself

Full far removed from lofty aims of soul.

If, in such case, his duty it doth seem

To give this second self that’s roused in him

To service in the progress of the Earth

His life must aye observe this strictest rule

To be a light before his spirit-eyes,

That nought from his own self must enter in

Nor cause disturbance in that work, which he

Hath not himself arranged nor brought to pass

But which his second self must execute.

Concealed within himself he thus will work

That one day he may be what he doth know

To be the future goal of his true self.

Throughout his life he’ll carry his own cares

Locked fast in deep recesses of his soul.

I told thee when at first thou called’st me

That I could never tread the temple courts

In mine own human personality.

He who now comes, as though another’s life

Had been entrusted to him, sees that fate

Hath laid on him the task of watching o’er

Results of his own work and guiding them

With dutiful attention from this place

For such time as the spirit doth command.

Torquatus(in the South, to Capesius):Capesius, henceforth ’twill be thy taskTo serve the holy temple in this placeWhence love through wisdom shall stream forth to menAs warmly as the sunshine’s noontide rays.He who would to the spirit sacrificeWith understanding of the mystic work,Must needs face dangers here, for LuciferCan in this place draw near with secret treadTo whomsoever faithfully doth tryTo carry out the spirit-service here,And on each word he can impress the sealThat marks the adversary of the gods.Thou stood’st before the adversary’s throneAnd saw’st what follows his activities;So for thine office thou art well prepared.

Torquatus(in the South, to Capesius):

Capesius, henceforth ’twill be thy task

To serve the holy temple in this place

Whence love through wisdom shall stream forth to men

As warmly as the sunshine’s noontide rays.

He who would to the spirit sacrifice

With understanding of the mystic work,

Must needs face dangers here, for Lucifer

Can in this place draw near with secret tread

To whomsoever faithfully doth try

To carry out the spirit-service here,

And on each word he can impress the seal

That marks the adversary of the gods.

Thou stood’st before the adversary’s throne

And saw’st what follows his activities;

So for thine office thou art well prepared.

Capesius:He who hath viewed the adversary’s realmAs powers of fate permitted me to do,He knows that ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are but wordsWhich mankind scarce can understand aright.Who speaks of Lucifer as wholly badMight also say that fire is evil too,Because it hath a power that can kill life;He might call water evil, since a manMight in the water easily be drowned.

Capesius:

He who hath viewed the adversary’s realm

As powers of fate permitted me to do,

He knows that ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are but words

Which mankind scarce can understand aright.

Who speaks of Lucifer as wholly bad

Might also say that fire is evil too,

Because it hath a power that can kill life;

He might call water evil, since a man

Might in the water easily be drowned.

Torquatus:Through other things doth Lucifer appearAs evil to thee; not through that which heWould indicate as evil of himself.

Torquatus:

Through other things doth Lucifer appear

As evil to thee; not through that which he

Would indicate as evil of himself.

Capesius:The cosmic spirit who could bring the lightTo souls of men when first the Earth was formedMust render service to the universe,In ways which in themselves seem neither goodNor evil unto spirits who have learnedWhat stern necessity doth oft reveal.For good can turn to ill, if evil mindsMake use of it for their destructive ends;And what seems evil may be turned to goodIf some good being guideth it aright.

Capesius:

The cosmic spirit who could bring the light

To souls of men when first the Earth was formed

Must render service to the universe,

In ways which in themselves seem neither good

Nor evil unto spirits who have learned

What stern necessity doth oft reveal.

For good can turn to ill, if evil minds

Make use of it for their destructive ends;

And what seems evil may be turned to good

If some good being guideth it aright.

Torquatus:So dost thou know what thou wilt have to doSo long as thou dost stand within this place.Love doth not value powers that are revealedWithin the world by judgment’s stern decree—She treasures them for what they may bring forthAnd asks how she can mould and use the lifeWhich is created out of cosmic depths.

Torquatus:

So dost thou know what thou wilt have to do

So long as thou dost stand within this place.

Love doth not value powers that are revealed

Within the world by judgment’s stern decree—

She treasures them for what they may bring forth

And asks how she can mould and use the life

Which is created out of cosmic depths.

Benedictus(in the East):Yet love speaks often with such gentle words,And needs support within the depths of soul.Here in this place she will unite with allThat follows cosmic law with threefold willAnd is unto the spirit dedicate.Maria will unite her work to thine.The vow she took in Lucifer’s domainIs now permitted to ray forth its powers.

Benedictus(in the East):

Yet love speaks often with such gentle words,

And needs support within the depths of soul.

Here in this place she will unite with all

That follows cosmic law with threefold will

And is unto the spirit dedicate.

Maria will unite her work to thine.

The vow she took in Lucifer’s domain

Is now permitted to ray forth its powers.

Maria:Capesius spake words of deep importWhich can reveal the truth if they proceedFrom that same spirit which can guide mankindToward true love, in progress of the Earth,But which but error upon error heapWhen they are fashioned by an evil mindAnd in the soul transform themselves to ill.’Tis true that Lucifer doth show himselfAs bearer of the light to man’s soul-sightWhen it would seek to gaze on spirit-space.But then the human soul will always wishTo waken also in its inmost depthsWhat it can only gaze on and admire.Although upon his beauty it may lookNe’er may it fall ’neath Lucifer’s fell swayLest he should gain the power to work within.When he, the bearer of the light, sends forthHis rays of wisdom and the worlds are filledWith haughty sense of self, and with full lightEach creature’s personality shines forthA pattern of his own imperious self,Then may the inmost being of the soulBuild up on this appearance, and rejoiceIn all its senses, whilst it radiatesThe joy of wisdom, all around, that livesIn its own self and loves to feel alive.But, more than any other spirit, manRequires a God who doth not only askFor admiration when his outward formReveals itself in glory to the soul,But One who radiates His highest powerWhen He Himself doth dwell within man’s soul,And loving unto death foretelleth life.A man may turn to Lucifer and feelInspired by beauty, or some splendour bright:And yet so live his life within himselfThat Lucifer can ne’er find entrance there;But to that other Spirit man doth cry,When he can fathom his own self aright:‘The goal of love for earthly souls—’tis thisNot I, but Christ, doth live within me now.’

Maria:

Capesius spake words of deep import

Which can reveal the truth if they proceed

From that same spirit which can guide mankind

Toward true love, in progress of the Earth,

But which but error upon error heap

When they are fashioned by an evil mind

And in the soul transform themselves to ill.

’Tis true that Lucifer doth show himself

As bearer of the light to man’s soul-sight

When it would seek to gaze on spirit-space.

But then the human soul will always wish

To waken also in its inmost depths

What it can only gaze on and admire.

Although upon his beauty it may look

Ne’er may it fall ’neath Lucifer’s fell sway

Lest he should gain the power to work within.

When he, the bearer of the light, sends forth

His rays of wisdom and the worlds are filled

With haughty sense of self, and with full light

Each creature’s personality shines forth

A pattern of his own imperious self,

Then may the inmost being of the soul

Build up on this appearance, and rejoice

In all its senses, whilst it radiates

The joy of wisdom, all around, that lives

In its own self and loves to feel alive.

But, more than any other spirit, man

Requires a God who doth not only ask

For admiration when his outward form

Reveals itself in glory to the soul,

But One who radiates His highest power

When He Himself doth dwell within man’s soul,

And loving unto death foretelleth life.

A man may turn to Lucifer and feel

Inspired by beauty, or some splendour bright:

And yet so live his life within himself

That Lucifer can ne’er find entrance there;

But to that other Spirit man doth cry,

When he can fathom his own self aright:

‘The goal of love for earthly souls—’tis this

Not I, but Christ, doth live within me now.’

Benedictus(turning to Maria):And when her soul shall to her spirit bowAs she hath vowed to Lucifer, it shall,Then through her power on to the temple streamWith all that leads unto the health of Earth.And Christ will kindle in the hallowed placeOf wisdom warming rays of spirit-love.What she can thus accomplish in the worldIs done because the course of her own lifeIs bound up closely with that knot of fateWhich Karma spins in human lives on Earth.In some long-past existence, it was sheWho caused the son to leave his father’s home;And now she leads the son to him again.The soul, which in Thomasius now dwellsIn former life was to that one which nowFulfils itself within Capesius,As son to father bound by ties of blood.The father will not now through LuciferDemand the debt Maria owes to him,For by Christ’s power, the debt hath been annulled.

Benedictus(turning to Maria):

And when her soul shall to her spirit bow

As she hath vowed to Lucifer, it shall,

Then through her power on to the temple stream

With all that leads unto the health of Earth.

And Christ will kindle in the hallowed place

Of wisdom warming rays of spirit-love.

What she can thus accomplish in the world

Is done because the course of her own life

Is bound up closely with that knot of fate

Which Karma spins in human lives on Earth.

In some long-past existence, it was she

Who caused the son to leave his father’s home;

And now she leads the son to him again.

The soul, which in Thomasius now dwells

In former life was to that one which now

Fulfils itself within Capesius,

As son to father bound by ties of blood.

The father will not now through Lucifer

Demand the debt Maria owes to him,

For by Christ’s power, the debt hath been annulled.

Magnus Bellicosus(speaking to Hilary and Benedictus, but frequently turning to Felix Balde and Dame Balde):Within the holy place doth shine the lightWhich flows with power from out the spirit-heights,When souls can worthily receive its strength.But yet those lofty powers of wisdom’s realmWhich thus reveal themselves in mystic shrinesHave chosen also other paths to souls.The signs of our own times have made it clearThat all these paths must now be joined in one.The temple must unite itself with soulsWho have reached spirit-light in other waysAnd yet have been enlightened in good truth.Now Dame Felicia and her husband too,Are such as may approach this sacred placeAnd who can bring to it a wealth of light.

Magnus Bellicosus(speaking to Hilary and Benedictus, but frequently turning to Felix Balde and Dame Balde):

Within the holy place doth shine the light

Which flows with power from out the spirit-heights,

When souls can worthily receive its strength.

But yet those lofty powers of wisdom’s realm

Which thus reveal themselves in mystic shrines

Have chosen also other paths to souls.

The signs of our own times have made it clear

That all these paths must now be joined in one.

The temple must unite itself with souls

Who have reached spirit-light in other ways

And yet have been enlightened in good truth.

Now Dame Felicia and her husband too,

Are such as may approach this sacred place

And who can bring to it a wealth of light.

Dame Balde:I can but tell the fairy-tales that riseWithin my heart quite of their own accord—only know about their spirit-sourceWhat oft Capesius hath told to me.In all humility I must believe,What he hath told me of my gift of soul;So also I believe what ye make clearWhy I am called within these temple walls.

Dame Balde:

I can but tell the fairy-tales that rise

Within my heart quite of their own accord—

only know about their spirit-source

What oft Capesius hath told to me.

In all humility I must believe,

What he hath told me of my gift of soul;

So also I believe what ye make clear

Why I am called within these temple walls.

Felix Balde:I followed not alone the outward callSent to me by the guardian of this shrine;But true unto my spirit-pathway’s goalI have applied myself unto the powerWhich, as mine inmost guide, doth ever pointIn what direction I shall turn my stepsThat I may best be able to fulfilIn life what spirit-powers have foreordained.This time I saw quite clearly I was meantTo shun that way which Benedictus nowHath shown his pupils in the spirit-life.The signs that now I see within this shrineAppeared to me in vision previously.For often when my soul did tread the depthsAnd all self-will had been destroyed in me,And power and patience could maintain themselvesIn that dread loneliness which aye approachedBefore I could experience spirit-light,Then all the universe seemed one with me,And soon I found myself within that world,Where life’s true purpose was revealed to me.During such spirit-wand’rings I have beenIn many a temple which it seems to meResembles that which now my sense perceives,Just as the writing of the spoken wordMust show a written picture of the speech.

Felix Balde:

I followed not alone the outward call

Sent to me by the guardian of this shrine;

But true unto my spirit-pathway’s goal

I have applied myself unto the power

Which, as mine inmost guide, doth ever point

In what direction I shall turn my steps

That I may best be able to fulfil

In life what spirit-powers have foreordained.

This time I saw quite clearly I was meant

To shun that way which Benedictus now

Hath shown his pupils in the spirit-life.

The signs that now I see within this shrine

Appeared to me in vision previously.

For often when my soul did tread the depths

And all self-will had been destroyed in me,

And power and patience could maintain themselves

In that dread loneliness which aye approached

Before I could experience spirit-light,

Then all the universe seemed one with me,

And soon I found myself within that world,

Where life’s true purpose was revealed to me.

During such spirit-wand’rings I have been

In many a temple which it seems to me

Resembles that which now my sense perceives,

Just as the writing of the spoken word

Must show a written picture of the speech.

Trustworthy(in the West, to Strader):Dear Strader, it is now thy destinyTo speak that word henceforth within the shrineWhich will agree with all ThomasiusMakes known to us, as sunset must agreeWith that hope-giving glow of morning light.This word, in its full sense doth seize uponThe working of that Power who showed himselfTo thee, when thou wert standing on thy trial.Thou hadst to stand within that spirit-placeWhere thought is strictly ordered to stand still.For if thine hand should wield a hammer nowAnd only strike the air, it could not knowThe power it hath, unless the blow should reachSome anvil; even so it is with thought.It ne’er could really fathom its own depthIf Ahriman were not opposed to it.All thought within thy life hath led thee onTo contradict thyself and this hath causedWithin thy soul both pain and heavy doubt.Thus didst thou learn to know thyself through thought;As light can only gaze upon itself,But through reflection that its rays cast forth;The words of him who serves the temple hereThus, in a picture, life’s reflection show.

Trustworthy(in the West, to Strader):

Dear Strader, it is now thy destiny

To speak that word henceforth within the shrine

Which will agree with all Thomasius

Makes known to us, as sunset must agree

With that hope-giving glow of morning light.

This word, in its full sense doth seize upon

The working of that Power who showed himself

To thee, when thou wert standing on thy trial.

Thou hadst to stand within that spirit-place

Where thought is strictly ordered to stand still.

For if thine hand should wield a hammer now

And only strike the air, it could not know

The power it hath, unless the blow should reach

Some anvil; even so it is with thought.

It ne’er could really fathom its own depth

If Ahriman were not opposed to it.

All thought within thy life hath led thee on

To contradict thyself and this hath caused

Within thy soul both pain and heavy doubt.

Thus didst thou learn to know thyself through thought;

As light can only gaze upon itself,

But through reflection that its rays cast forth;

The words of him who serves the temple here

Thus, in a picture, life’s reflection show.

Strader:In truth the light of thought for long time streamedBut through reflection into mine own life;Yet for full seven years the spirit showedItself to me in its bright splendour too,And did reveal those worlds unto my soul,In front of which my soul had formerlyStood ever still in torment and in doubt.Within my soul this light must grow so deepThat it shall last through all eternity,If I would find the path to spirit-aimsAnd make my own creations bring forth health.

Strader:

In truth the light of thought for long time streamed

But through reflection into mine own life;

Yet for full seven years the spirit showed

Itself to me in its bright splendour too,

And did reveal those worlds unto my soul,

In front of which my soul had formerly

Stood ever still in torment and in doubt.

Within my soul this light must grow so deep

That it shall last through all eternity,

If I would find the path to spirit-aims

And make my own creations bring forth health.

Theodora(becoming visible, as a spirit-being, at Strader’s side):I was allowed to win this light for you,Because thy power did strive toward my light,As soon as thy right time had been fulfilled.

Theodora(becoming visible, as a spirit-being, at Strader’s side):

I was allowed to win this light for you,

Because thy power did strive toward my light,

As soon as thy right time had been fulfilled.

Strader:So too thy light, thou spirit-messenger,Will stream o’er all the words that in this placeShall be wrung forth from out mine inmost soul.For Theodora’s self is now with mineTo holy mystic service consecrate.

Strader:

So too thy light, thou spirit-messenger,

Will stream o’er all the words that in this place

Shall be wrung forth from out mine inmost soul.

For Theodora’s self is now with mine

To holy mystic service consecrate.

(Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia appear in a glowing cloud of light.)

The Other Philia:To Earth’s primeval sourceMount thoughts of sacrificeFrom many a holy shrine;Let all that lives in souls,Let all that spirit lightsSoar to the world of form;Let cosmic-powers inclineWith graciousness to men,To kindle spirit-lightWithin their powers of soul.

The Other Philia:

To Earth’s primeval source

Mount thoughts of sacrifice

From many a holy shrine;

Let all that lives in souls,

Let all that spirit lights

Soar to the world of form;

Let cosmic-powers incline

With graciousness to men,

To kindle spirit-light

Within their powers of soul.

Philia:From cosmic spirits IWill beg their being’s light,The soul-sense to uphold;The sound too of their words,To loose the spirit-ear,That what hath been arousedUpon the paths of soulMay not become extinctIn lives of men on Earth.

Philia:

From cosmic spirits I

Will beg their being’s light,

The soul-sense to uphold;

The sound too of their words,

To loose the spirit-ear,

That what hath been aroused

Upon the paths of soul

May not become extinct

In lives of men on Earth.

Astrid:The love-streams will I guideThat fill the world with warmthUnto the spirits ofInitiated men,That thus the sacred riteMay be preserved and keptWithin the hearts of men.

Astrid:

The love-streams will I guide

That fill the world with warmth

Unto the spirits of

Initiated men,

That thus the sacred rite

May be preserved and kept

Within the hearts of men.

Luna:From primal powers will IFor might and courage pray,For these will help to makeSelf-sacrifice to grow,So that it may transformWhat now is seen in timeAnd change to spirit-seedsFor all eternity.

Luna:

From primal powers will I

For might and courage pray,

For these will help to make

Self-sacrifice to grow,

So that it may transform

What now is seen in time

And change to spirit-seeds

For all eternity.

Curtain falls while all the characters, including Theodora, Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia are still inside the Temple.

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