The soul that on my threshold clothed itself In that same veil which many years ago It wore on earth, hath kindled in the depths Of thine own soul in solemn hours of life The strongest love which was concealed in thee. While thou wert standing yet outside this realm And first didst beg from me an entrance here, It stood before thee in a pictured form, And, being thus conceived by inward wish, Can only show delusion's vain conceits. But now thou shalt in very truth behold The soul that in a life of long ago Was dwelling in that old man whom thou saw'st. THOMASIUS: I see him now again in his long cloak, That worthy ancient with his earnest brow; O soul, who dwelt within this covering Why dost thou hide thyself so long from me? It must--it can--but Theodora be. Ah, see--now from the covered picture, comes Reality: 'tis Theo ... 'tis myself---- (As Thomasius begins the name 'Theodora,' his Double appears.) HIS DOUBLE (coming close up to Thomasius): Perceive me--and then know thyself in me. MARIA: And I may follow thee to cosmic depths Where souls can win perception e'en as gods By conquest that destroyeth, yet acquires By bold persistence life from seeming death. (Peals of thunder, and increasing darkness.) Curtain SCENE 9 A pleasant, sunny morning landscape, in a terraced garden overlooking a town with many factories. Benedictus, Capesius, Maria, Thomasius, and Strader are discovered walking up and down and engaged in leisurely conversation. Benedictus wears a white biretta and is in his white robe, but without the golden stole. CAPESIUS: Here is the place, where Benedictus oft In soft warm sunlight of a summer morn Gave himself to his pupils that they might In reverent mood receive his wisdom's words. Out yonder lies what ever must divide With pitiless intent the souls of men From all the wondrous beauty of the earth, That nature's God doth shower so bounteous here. In yon waste sea of houses in the town Doth Benedictus ever nobly strive To heal this human woe by deeds of love. And when with human words so wise and true He tells his pupils of the spirit-world, He seeks for hearts, which free creative power That here reveals itself in wakening souls, Hath filled with sunshine and with love for men. I, too, may now behold the happiness Which through his words doth reach the heart of man. Since he in love hath underta'en the task Of guiding me within the spirit-world: And now when I may feel that he is near I shall again discover mine own self. BENEDICTUS: