The lofty Powers of Fate have chosen well In setting thee to be their enemy. Thou dost encourage all thou wouldst restrain. Thou bringest freedom to the souls of men When thou dost penetrate to their soul-depths. From thee originate the powers of thought Whence knowledge springs with all its vain deceits But which can also guide man to the truth. In Spirit-land there is but one domain Where may be forged the sword that bids thee flee As soon as thou dost set thine eyes thereon. It is a realm in which the souls of men Do gather knowledge through their reason's powers, Which knowledge they will afterwards transmute To Spirit-wisdom. If I have the strength To forge the word of truth into that sword, That very moment thou must flee from hence. So hearken well, thou sire of all deceit; If truth triumphant I proclaim to thee-- In earthly evolution there are times In which the ancient forces slowly die, And dying, see the growth of newer ones. At such a cyclic point my friends and I Did find ourselves drawn close by spirit-bonds Whilst seeking out our former lives on earth. True Spirit-men were working at that time, United in a brotherhood of souls Whose aims were sought in mysticism's realm. Now, at such seasons certain tendencies Are carefully implanted in men's souls, Which need a long time for full ripening. In their next incarnation, therefore, men Must show strong traces of their previous life. At such times, many men will be reborn In their succeeding lives as men--so too Women as women often re-appear. At that time also is the interval Shorter than usual 'twixt two earthly lives. To understand aright these cyclic points Thou lackest power, and therefore canst not yet Survey their growth with eyes from error free. Call but to mind the time when last we met In temples of that Spirit-brotherhood: Then thou spakest words of flattery, intent To break my inner consciousness of self. I recollect this time; and draw therefrom The force now to oppose myself to thee. (Ahriman withdraws with reluctant mien. Thunder.) MARIA: Defeated he has had to leave the spot Which Benedictus hath so often blessed. But unto me hath been made manifest How lightly souls may into error fall Who give themselves unto the Spirit-voice Without due heed, and shun the safer ways. The Enemy indeed hath mighty power Life's contradictions to accentuate And thus rob souls of their security. He must fall silent when the Light appears That from the fount of Wisdom issuing Doth bring full clearness to our spirit-sight. Curtain, while Maria is still in the room SCENE 12 The same. Johannes and Lucifer. LUCIFER: