SCENE 4

The Same.

(The Manager and Romanus, pausing in their walk, speak as follows.)

MANAGER:

Thou know'st the mystic friends of Hilary, And I perceive in thee a clever man With power to give at all times judgment sure Both in life's work and in the mystic arts: And so I value thy considered thought. But how shall I make sense of what thou sayst? That Strader's friends should stay in spirit-realms And not as yet use their clairvoyant powers Upon the fashioning of things of sense Seems right to thee. But will the selfsame path For Strader not be just as dangerous? His spirit methods seem to prove to me That nature-spirits always blind his eyes As soon as strong desire for personal deeds Drives him to seek some outer work in life. Within oneself, as all true mystics know, Those forces must develop in their strength In order to oppose these enemies; But Strader's sight, it seems, is not yet ripe To see such foes upon his spirit-path.

ROMANUS:

Yet those good spirits who conduct such men, As stand outside the spirit-realms entire, Have not yet left his side, but guide his steps. These spirits ever pass those mystics by Who make a pact with beings to secure Their service for their personal spirit mood. In Strader's methods I can plainly feel How nature-spirits still give to his self The fruits of their benign activity.

MANAGER:

So 'tis by feeling only thou art led To think good spirits work in Strader's case; Thou off'rest little and dost ask full much.

These are the spirits I must henceforth ask If I continue active in this place Where for so long I have been privileged To serve the work-plans and that spirit true Which Hilary's own father ever loved; And which I still hear speaking from his grave, E'en if his son hath no more ears for it. What saith this spirit of that brave strong man When he perceives these crazy spirits now Which his son tries to bring within his house? I know that spirit who for ninety years Lived in his body. He it was who taught To me the truest secrets of my work In those old days when he could work himself, The while his son crept off to mystic fanes.

ROMANUS:

My friend, canst thou indeed be unaware How highly this same spirit I revere? His servant certainly was that old man Whom for a pattern thou didst rightly choose. And I myself have striv'n to serve him too From childhood's days up to the present time. But I too crept away to mystic fanes. I planted truly deep within my soul What they were willing to bestow on me. But reason swept aside the temple mood When at the door it entered into life. I knew that in this way I best could bring This mood's strong forces into earthly life. From out the temple none the less I brought My soul into my work. And it is well That soul by reason should not be disturbed.

MANAGER:

And dost thou find that Strader's spirit-way Is even distantly akin to thine? I find myself at thy side ever free From spirit-beings Strader brings to me. I clearly feel, e'en in his random speech, How elemental spirits, quick with life, By word and nature pour themselves through him Revealing things the senses cannot grasp. It is just this that keeps me off from him.

ROMANUS:

This speech, my friend, doth strike me to the heart. Since I drew nigh to Strader I have felt Those very thoughts which come to me through him To be endowed with quite peculiar power. They cleft me just as if they were mine own. And one day I reflected: What if I Owe to his soul not to myself the power Which let me ripen to maturity! Hard on this feeling came a second one; What if for all that makes me of some use In life and work and service for mankind I am indebted to some past earth-life?

MANAGER:

I feel precisely thus about him too. When one draws near to him, the spirit which Doth work through him moves powerfully one's soul. And if thy strong soul must succumb to him, How shall I manage to protect mine own If I unite with him in this his work?

ROMANUS:

It will depend on thee alone to find The right relation 'twixt thyself and him. I think that Strader's power will not harm me Since in my thought I have conceived a way In which he may have made that power his own.

MANAGER:

Have made--his own--such power--and over thee-- A dreamer--over the--the man of deeds!

ROMANUS:

If one might dare to make a guess that now Some spirit lives its life in Strader's frame Who in some earlier earth-life had attained To most unusual altitude of soul; Who knew much which the men of his own time Were still too undeveloped to conceive. Then it were possible that in those days Thoughts in his spirit did originate Which by degrees could make their way to earth And mingle in the common life of men; And that from this source people like myself Have drawn their capability for work-- The thoughts which in my youth I seized upon, And which I found in my environment, Might well have been this spirit's progeny!

MANAGER:

And dost thou think it justifiable To trace back thoughts to Strader and none else That hold a value for mankind's whole life?

ROMANUS:

I were a dreamer if I acted thus. I spin no dreams about mankind's whole life With eyes fast closed. I ne'er had use for thoughts That show themselves and forthwith fade away. I look at Strader with wide-open eyes; And see what this man's nature proves to be, What qualities he hath and how he acts, And that wherein he fails;--and then I know I have no option left me but to judge Of his endowments as I have just done. As if this man had stood before mine eyes Already many hundred years ago, So do I feel him in my spirit now. And that I am awake--I know full well. I shall lend my support to Hilary; For that which must will surely come to pass. So think his project over once again.

MANAGER:

It will be of more benefit to me If I think over that which thou hast said.

(Exeunt Manager and Romanus. Johannes comes from another direction, deep in thought, and sits down on a boulder. Johannes is at first alone, afterwards appear his Double, the Spirit of Johannes' youth, and finally the Guardian of the Threshold, and Ahriman.)

JOHANNES:

I was astonished when Capesius Made known to me how my soul's inner self Revealed itself unto his spirit's eye. I could so utterly forget a fact Which years ago was clear as day to me:-- That all that lives within the human soul Works further in the outer spirit-realms; Long have I known it, yet I could forget. When Benedictus was directing me To my first spirit-vision, I beheld Capesius and Strader by this means, Clear as a picture, in another age. I saw the potent pictures of their thoughts Send circling ripples through the world's expanse. Well do I know all this--and knew it not When I beheld it through Capesius. The part of me which knows was not awake; That in an earth-life of the distant past Capesius and I were closely knit: That also for a long time have I known,-- Yet at that instant I did know it not. How can I keep my knowledge all the time?

(A voice from the distance, that of Johannes' Double.)

'The magical web That forms their own life.'

JOHANNES:

'And clairvoyant dreams Make clear unto souls The magical web That forms their own life.'

(While Johannes is speaking these lines his Double approaches him. Johannes does not recognize him, but thinks "the other Philia" is coming towards him.)

O spirit-counsellor, thou com'st once more; True counsel didst thou bring unto my soul.

THE DOUBLE:

Johannes, thine awakening is but false Until thou shalt thyself set free the shade Whom thine offence doth lend a magic life.

JOHANNES:

This is the second time thou speakest thus. I will obey thee. Point me out the way.

THE DOUBLE:

Johannes, give life in the shadow-realm To what is lost to thee in thine own self. From out thy spirit's light pour light on him So that he will not have to suffer pain.

JOHANNES:

The shadow-being in me I have stunned But not o'erthrown: wherefore he must remain A shade enchanted amongst the other shades Till I can re-unite myself with him.

THE DOUBLE:

Then give to me that which thou owest him: The power of love, that drives thee forth to him, The heart's hope, that was first begot by him, The fresh life, that lies hidden deep in him, The fruits of earth-lives in the distant past, Which with his being now are lost to thee; Oh, give them me; I'll bring them safe to him.

JOHANNES:

Thou knowest the way to him?--Oh, show it me.

THE DOUBLE:

I could get to him in the shadow-realm When thou didst raise thyself to spirit-spheres; But since, desire-powers tempting thee, thou didst Avert thy mind to follow after him, When now I seek him my strength ever fails. But if thou wilt abide by my advice My strength can then create itself anew.

JOHANNES:

I vowed to thee that I would follow thee-- And now, O spirit-counsellor, again With all my soul's strength I renew that vow. But if thou canst thus find the way to him, Then show it to me in this hour of fate.

THE DOUBLE:

I find it now but cannot lead the way. I can alone show to thine inward eye The being whom thy longing now doth seek.

(The spirit of Johannes' Youth appears.)

THE SPIRIT OF JOHANNES' YOUTH:

Thanks to that spirit I shall ever owe Who was allowed thy soul sight to unseal, So that when I appear by spirit-law Thou wilt henceforth behold me open-eyed. But thou must first this spirit truly know, At whose side thou art now beholding me.

(The spirit of Johannes' Youth disappears: only now does Johannes recognise the Double.)

JOHANNES:

That spirit-counsellor--mine other self?

THE DOUBLE:

Now follow me--thou hast so vowed to me-- For I must now conduct thee to my lord.

(The Guardian of the Threshold appears and stands beside the Double.)

THE GUARDIAN:

Johannes, wouldst thou tear this shade away From those enchanted regions of the soul, Then slay desire, which leads thee aye astray. The trace which thou dost follow disappears So long as thou dost seek it with desire. It leads thee to my threshold and beyond. But here, obeying lofty Being's will, I do confuse the inward sight of those Within whose spirit-glance lives vain desire; All these must meet me ere they are allowed To penetrate to Truth's pure radiant light. I hold thyself fast prisoned in thy sight So long as thou approachest with desire. Myself too as illusion dost thou see, So long as vain desire is joined with sight And spirit-peacefulness of soul hath not Become as yet thy being's vehicle. Make strong those words of power which thou dost know, Their spirit-power will conquer fantasy. Then recognise me, free from all desire, And thou shalt see me as I really am. And then I need no longer hinder thee From gazing freely on the spirit-realm.

JOHANNES:

But as illusion dost thou too appear? Thou too ... whom I must ever see the first, Of all the beings in the spirit-land. How shall I know the truth when I must find One truth alone confront mine onward steps-- That ever denser grows illusion's veil.

AHRIMAN:

Let not thyself be quite confused by him. He guards the threshold faithfully indeed E'en if today thou see'st him wear the clothes Which for thyself thou didst patch up before Within thy spirit from old odds and ends. And least of all shouldst thou behold in him An actor in a poor dramatic show. But thou wilt make it better later on. Yet e'en this clownish form can serve thy soul. It doth not have to spend much energy In showing thee that which it now still is. Pay close attention to the Guardian's speech: Its tone is mournful and its pathos marked, Allow not this: for then he will disclose From whom today he borrows to excess.

JOHANNES:

Then e'en the content of his speech deceives?

THE DOUBLE:

Ask not of Ahriman, since he doth find In contradictions aye his chief delight.

JOHANNES:

Of whom then shall I ask?

THE DOUBLE:

Why, ask thyself. With my power will I fortify thee well So that awake thou mayst find the place Whence thou canst gaze untramelled by desire. Increase thy power.

JOHANNES:

'The magical web That forms their own life.' O magical web that forms mine own life Make known to me where desire doth not burn.

(The Guardian disappears: in his place appear Benedictus and Maria.)

MARIA:

Myself too as illusion dost thou see Since vain desire is still allied with sight.

BENEDICTUS:

And spirit-peacefulness of soul hath not Become as yet thy being's vehicle.

(The Double, Benedictus, and Maria disappear.)

JOHANNES:

Maria, Benedictus,--Guardians! How can they as the Guardian come to me?

'Tis true I have spent many years with thee And this forbids me now to seek thine aid-- The magical web that forms mine own self.

(Exit, right.)

(Enter Strader, Benedictus, and Maria, left.)

STRADER:

Thou gav'st, when joined in spirit unto me Before the dark abyss of mine own self, Wise counsel to direct mine inward sight, Which at that time I could not understand, But which will work such changes in my soul As certainly will solve life's problems, when They seek to hinder what I strive to do. I feel in me the power which thou dost give To thy disciples on the spirit-path. And so I shall be able to perform The service thou dost ask for in this work That Hilary to mankind will devote; We shall, however, lack Capesius. Whatever strength the rest bring to the work Will not replace his keen activity; But that which must will surely come to pass.

BENEDICTUS:

Yea, that which must will surely come to pass. This phrase expresseth thine own stage of growth. But it awakes no answering response In souls of all our other spirit-friends. Thomasius is not as yet prepared To carry spirit-power to worlds of sense, So he too will withdraw from this same work. Through him doth destiny give us a sign That we must all now seek another plan

STRADER:

Will not Maria and thyself be there?

BENEDICTUS:

Maria must Johannes take with her If she would ever find in truth the road, Which leads from spirit to the world of sense. Thus wills the Guardian who with earnest eye Unceasing guards the borders of both realms. She cannot lend her aid to thee as yet. And this may serve thee as a certain sign That thou canst not at this time truly find The way into the realm of earthly things.

STRADER:

So I and all my aims are left alone! O loneliness, didst thou then seek me out When I did stand at Felix Balde's side?

BENEDICTUS:

The thing which hath just happened in our group Hath taught me, as I look on thy career, To read a certain word in spirit-light Which hitherto hath hid itself from me. I saw that thou wast bound to certain kinds Of beings, who, if they should take a part Creatively in mankind's life today, Would surely work for evil; now they live As germs in certain souls, and will grow ripe In future days to work upon the earth. Such germs have I seen living in thy soul. That thou dost know them not is for thy good. Through thee they will first learn to know themselves. But now the road is still close barred for them Which leads into the realm of earthly things.

STRADER:

Whatever else thy words may say to me, They show me that my lot is loneliness. And this it is must truly forge my sword. Maria told me this at mine abyss.

(Benedictus and Maria retire a little way; Strader remains alone; the soul of Theodora appears.)

THEODORA'S SOUL:

And Theodora in the worlds of light Will make warmth for thee that thy spirit-sword May keenly smite the foes of thine own soul.

(Disappears. Exit Strader. Benedictus and Maria come to the front of stage.)

MARIA:

My learned teacher, ne'er yet did I hear Thee tell disciples, who had reached the stage Of Strader, in such tones the words of fate. Will his soul run its course so speedily That these words' power will prove of use to him?

BENEDICTUS:

Fate gave the order, and it was fulfilled.

MARIA:

And if the power should prove no use to him, Will not its evils also fall on thee?

BENEDICTUS:

'Twill not be evil; yet I do not know In what way it will manifest in him. My gaze at present penetrates to realms Where such advice illuminates my soul; But I see not the scene of its result. And if I try to see, my vision dies.

MARIA:

Thy vision dies,--my guide and leader, thine?-- Who stays for thee thy seership's certain gaze?

BENEDICTUS:

Johannes flees therewith to cosmic space; We must pursue;--for I can hear him call.

MARIA:

He calls,--from spirit-space his call rings out; There sounds within his tone a distant fear.

BENEDICTUS:

So from the ever empty fields of ice Our mystic friend's call sounds in cosmic space.

MARIA:

The ice's cold is burning in my self, And kindling tongues of flame in my soul-depths; The flames are scorching all my power of thought.

BENEDICTUS:

In thy soul-depths the fire doth blaze, which now Johannes kindles in the cosmic frost.

MARIA:

The flames fly off,--they fly off with my thought.

And there on distant cosmic shore of souls A furious fight--my power of thought doth fight-- In stormy chaos--and cold spirit-light-- My thought-power reels;--the cold light--hammers out Hot waves of darkness from my failing thought. What now emergeth from this darkling heat? Clad in red flames my self storms--to the light;-- To the cold light--of cosmic fields of ice.

Curtain