I must confess that it seems good to me What thou wouldst give unto the souls of men, For they will only be enriched with strength For what is good through thee, and will but gain That which is bad, if they were bad before. If only men did better know themselves They must for certain feel with all their hearts The bitter scorn that thou dost cast on them. But what is here wrung forth from out my soul? I speak such words as would destroy my life If on the Earth I found that they were true. Thou must so think; I cannot otherwise Than find that what thou hast just said is true; Yet 'tis but truth when in this realm of thine: It would be error for the world of Earth If it prove there to be what it seems here. I must no further trace my human thoughts Within this place--they now must have an end. In thy rough words there soundeth pain for thee, And they are painful too in mine own soul. I can--whilst facing thee--but weep--and cry---- (Exit quickly.) (Enter Maria and Thomasius both fully conscious, so that they can hear and understand all that goes on, and speak about it.) THOMASIUS: Maria, terror reigns on every side, It closeth in and presseth on my soul; Whence shall come inward strength to conquer it? MARIA: My holy, earnest vow doth ray out power: And thou canst bear this pressure on thy soul If thou wilt feel the healing power it gives. AHRIMAN (to himself): 'Tis Benedictus who hath sent them here; He guided them that they might recognize And know me, when they feel me in my realm. (He speaks the rest so that Thomasius and Maria can hear.) Thomasius, the Guardian did direct Thy footsteps first of all toward my realm Since they will lead thee to the very light Thou seekest in the depths of thine own self. Here I can give thee truth although with pain, As I have suffered many thousand years, For though the truth can penetrate to me, It must first separate itself from joy Before it dares to venture though my porch. THOMASIUS: So must I joylessly behold the soul Whom I so ardently desire to see? AHRIMAN: A wish doth only lead to happiness When warmth of soul can cherish it; but here All wishes freeze, and needs must live in cold. MARIA: E'en in the ever empty fields of ice I may go with my friend, where he will be Encircled by the light which spirits bring When darkness wounds and maims the powers of life. Thomasius, feel now thy soul's full strength. (The Guardian appears upon the Threshold.) AHRIMAN: The Guardian himself must bring the light That thou dost now so ardently desire. THOMASIUS: 'Tis Theodora whom I wish to see. THE GUARDIAN: