The glorious work in which we've gained success Thou wouldst now turn unto thine own account. Thou hast Johannes through his power of heart Marked for thine own one day; and yet thou seest That thou must make the fetters stronger still If thou wouldst keep his being for thyself. His heart will be beneath his spirit's rule-- If that is so then all the knowledge-work Which he on Earth accomplished, must be giv'n In future, for their own, to those great Powers Which thou hast fought against since Time began. If thou succeed'st in lowering that love Which now Johannes for Maria feels And changing it by cunning to the lust Which thou dost now require for thine own ends, Then will he turn the good he did on Earth, To evil ends from out the Spirit-worlds. MARIA: Then he may yet be saved? 'Tis not decreed That he must fall a victim to the powers That want to gain his work now for themselves? BENEDICTUS: It would be so if all the Powers remained Just as at present they have formed themselves; But if at the right hour thou dost allow Thy vow to take effect in thine own soul Those powers must change their course in future times. LUCIFER: So work, compelling powers, Ye elemental sprites, Feel now your Master's power; And smooth for me the way, That leads from realms of Earth That so there may draw near To Lucifer's domain Whate'er my wish desires Whate'er obeys my will. (Theodora appears.) THEODORA: Who calleth me to realms so strange to me? I like it not, unless the world of gods Reveals itself in love unto my soul, And glowing warmth entwining round my heart Draws spirit-speech from out mine inmost soul. THOMASIUS' DOUBLE: Ah, how thou dost transform my very life! Thou hast appeared, and here am I, a man Who now can only work when filled by thee. Johannes shall, through me, be now thine own, And from henceforward thou shalt have the love Which once so fearful and so radiant Was wrested for Maria from his heart. He saw thee years ago, but did not then Feel all the warmth of love which was to grow In secret in the depths of his own soul. Now it will rise, and fill him full of power, And turn his thoughts entirely to thyself. BENEDICTUS: The crucial moment is arriving now, His strongest power hath Lucifer let loose: Maria, all the training of thy soul Thou must put forth in strength to vanquish him. MARIA: