I let folk talk, and help as best I can. How often do we hear a thing called wrong By those who lack the courage in themselves To do that very thing. Let's go our ways; I see the father coming down the road; We will not interrupt his train of thought. I found no difficulty up till now In understanding everything he taught; But in the sermon which he preached today He said much that one could not understand. (The Countryfolk go away towards the forest.) (After an interval the Monk comes along the meadow path.) MONK: It must be that a soul is led astray In striving to pursue her natural course. The weakness of my heart alone allowed Such visions to appear before mine eyes As those which I beheld within those walls. That they must show themselves to me in strife Is proof enough how little yet in me The psychic forces work in harmony. Therefore will I address myself anew To kindle in myself those potent words Which bring me light from out the Spirit-heights. That man alone prefers another road, Whom personal illusions have made blind. The soul can only triumph over lies By proving herself worthy of the grace Which Spirit-light, outpoured from founts of love, In words of wisdom doth reveal to her. I know that I shall find the greatest strength Which can throw light on what the Fathers taught. When from the gloom of self's imaginings With lowly heart submissive I can flee. (Exit.) (After an interval there appear on the meadow Cecilia and Thomas.) CECILIA: Dear brother, when in fervent ecstasy Of silent prayer my soul did bow herself Unto the Fountain of the World, and yearn Whole-heartedly to be made one therewith, A light before my spirit would appear-- With gentle warmth and radiancy aglow; This then transformed itself into a man Who looked into my face with tender eyes, And spoke to me. These were the vision's words: 'Human delusion left thee once forlorn, And now thou art upborne by human love; Wait therefore until longing finds a way To bring the seeker safely to thy side.' Thus spake this human figure oft to me; Nor could I fathom what the words might mean; And yet a dim foreboding made me glad, That some time they should be fulfilled for me. And then, beloved brother, thou didst come, And when I first set eyes upon thy face, I felt my senses leave me; for thou wast That human figure's very counterpart. THOMAS: Dream and foreboding told thee but the truth, Indeed 'twas longing guided me to thee. CECILIA: And when thou didst request me as thy wife I thought the Spirit had ordained it so. THOMAS: