This is the first time in these seven years I cannot fathom Theodora's mind; For each experience of spirit-life Was such a source of inward joy to thee. THEODORA: Quite different is the revelation now. At first, as then, I feel myself constrained To drive away all thought that is mine own; But where, before, after some little time When I achieved this inward emptiness A gentle light did hover round my soul And spirit-pictures wished to form themselves; There come now unseen feelings of disgust; Which come in such a way that I am sure The power I feel within comes from without-- Then fear I cannot banish pours itself Into my life and governs all my soul-- And gladly would I flee from that dread Shape That is invisible, and yet abhorred. It tries to reach me with its evil will And I can only hate what is revealed. STRADER: With Theodora 'tis not possible. They say that what one thus lives through, is but The mirrored working of one's own soul-powers. Yet thy soul could not show such things as these. THEODORA (painfully, slowly, as if reflecting): I know indeed that such ideas are held-- Therefore with all the power that still was mine I sank into the spirit-world and prayed That those same beings who so oft before Were kind to me, would graciously reveal How I could learn the cause of all my pain. (Now follow in broken words): And then ... the shining Light ... came ... as before And formed ... the image ... of an earthly man.... It was ... Thomasius ... STRADER (painfully, overcome by the quick inrush of feelings): ... Thomasius ... The man in whom I always have believed ... (Pause, then meditating painfully.) When I again recall before my soul How he behaved towards the Mystic League ... How of himself and Ahriman he spake---- (Theodora is lost in contemplation, and stares blankly into space, as if her spirit were absent.) STRADER: O Theodora ... what dost thou ... see now.... Curtain SCENE 5 A round room in the little house in the wood, described in the "Soul's Probation," as Felix Balde's home. Dame Balde, Felix Balde, Capesius, Strader, are seen seated at a table on the left of the stage. Later appears the Soul of Theodora. The room is the natural colour of the wood and has two pretty arched windows. DAME BALDE: We shall not know again her beauteous self Nor feel her radiant nature till we too Shall reach some day the world to which she hath So early from our sight been stol'n away. A few short weeks ago we still could hear With joy in this our house the graciousness That streamed so warmly through her every word. FELIX BALDE: We both, my wife Felicia, and myself, Loved her indeed from out our inmost soul, So can we share and understand thy grief. STRADER: