These last few days I have most earnestly Held converse often with mine inmost self To try and to clear my thoughts about this man. Gladly I'll tell thee all I know myself. Capesius is living in true wise The life of spirit-pupilship, although From his behaviour it seems otherwise. He is already destined by his fate Much to accomplish in the spirit-life. And only can fulfil the duties high To which his soul hath been already called If he prepares his spirit for them now. And yet it lay quite near his nature too, Instead of seeking light on spirit-paths, Unto false science to devote himself, Which can just now make blind so many souls. The solemn Guardian on the Threshold grim, Which marks the world of sense from spirit-worlds, Had duties of a most especial kind When to the gate Capesius found his way. To such an earnest seeker must the gate Needs open, but behind him shut at once. The means he used in former times to win Power for himself within the world of sense Could no more help him in the spirit-realms. He best prepares himself for service high Which he one day must render to mankind When he ignores our presence and our talk. DAME BALDE: There is but one thing he still notices. I mean the stories that I used to tell So often to him and through which he felt Refreshed and reawakened to new thought When his soul seemed bereft of all ideas. CAPESIUS: Such stories find their way to spirit-lands If in the spirit also they are told. DAME BALDE: Then, if I can collect myself enough To speak my stories out within myself I'll think of thee with love: so that they then May also in the spirit-land be heard. Curtain SCENE 6 A space not circumscribed by artificial walls but enclosed by intertwined plants like trees and structures which spread out and send shoots into the interior. Owing to natural occurrences the whole is moving violently and is sometimes filled with storm. The stage is divided into two groves, separated for a short distance by a row of trees. The grove on right of stage is appropriated later by Lucifer and his Spirits, and the left grove by Ahriman and his Spirits. The dance movements are set to music. Maria and Capesius are on the stage as the curtain rises; then Benedictus, Philia, Astrid, Luna, the other Philia, Lucifer, Ahriman, and Creatures which move in a dancing fashion and which represent thoughts, lastly the Soul of Dame Balde. BENEDICTUS (invisible as yet, only audible): Within thy thinking, cosmic thoughts do live. CAPESIUS (in astral garb):