O Bearer of that Light, which would confine Love only to the service of the self; Thou hast from Earth's beginning granted men Knowledge, when they, still guided by the gods, Obeyed the spirit, knowing nought of self. But since that time each soul of man hath been The place in which thou fightest 'gainst the gods. Yet now the times are coming, which must bring Destruction on thyself and on thy realms. A thinker bold was able to release Science from all thy gifts in such a way That unto mankind's gods it gave itself. But thou dost try once more to get the powers, Which for the gods are destined, for thyself. Because Johannes through his work hath now Deprived thee of that knowledge, with whose fruit Thou from the first deceived'st all mankind, So now thou would'st deceive him, through that love Which, should he follow out his destined path For Theodora he should never feel. Thou fain wouldst conquer Wisdom now by Love, As once 'gainst Love thou didst by Wisdom fight. But know full well that in Maria's heart, With which she now opposeth thy designs, The spirit-pupilship hath planted powers To keep far off, for ever, all self-love From Knowledge. Never from this hour will I Allow myself to be possessed by joy Such as men feel when thoughts grow ripe within. I'll steel my heart to serve as sacrifice So that my mind can always only think In such a way that through my thoughts I may Offer the fruits of Knowledge to the gods. My sacred service shall such Knowledge be, And what I thus effect within myself Shall o'er Johannes powerfully outstream, And oft, in future, when within his heart These words are whispered from thyself to him: 'Man's human nature shall through love find out What gives strength to his personality.' Then shall my heart this powerful answer give: 'Once didst thou hear these words, when Earth began, And there didst show forth signs of Wisdom's fruit, "The fruits of love can only come to man When they are brought to him from realms divine."' LUCIFER: I mean to fight. BENEDICTUS: And fighting, serve the gods. Curtain SCENE 4 A cheerful pink room in the home of Strader and his wife Theodora. One notices by the arrangement that they use it as a room in common, where they carry on their various works. On his table there are mechanical models; on hers things to do with mystic studies. The two are holding a conversation which shows that they are absorbed in the fact that it is the seventh anniversary of their wedding day. STRADER: