Dear Strader, it is now thy destiny To speak that word henceforth within the shrine Which will agree with all Thomasius Makes known to us, as sunset must agree With that hope-giving glow of morning light. This word, in its full sense doth seize upon The working of that Power who showed himself To thee, when thou wert standing on thy trial. Thou hadst to stand within that spirit-place Where thought is strictly ordered to stand still. For if thine hand should wield a hammer now And only strike the air, it could not know The power it hath, unless the blow should reach Some anvil; even so it is with thought. It ne'er could really fathom its own depth If Ahriman were not opposed to it. All thought within thy life hath led thee on To contradict thyself and this hath caused Within thy soul both pain and heavy doubt. Thus didst thou learn to know thyself through thought; As light can only gaze upon itself, But through reflection that its rays cast forth; The words of him who serves the temple here Thus, in a picture, life's reflection show. STRADER: In truth the light of thought for long time streamed But through reflection into mine own life; Yet for full seven years the spirit showed Itself to me in its bright splendour too, And did reveal those worlds unto my soul, In front of which my soul had formerly Stood ever still in torment and in doubt. Within my soul this light must grow so deep That it shall last through all eternity, If I would find the path to spirit-aims And make my own creations bring forth health. THEODORA (becoming visible, as a spirit-being, at Strader's side): I was allowed to win this light for you, Because thy power did strive toward my light, As soon as thy right time had been fulfilled. STRADER: So too thy light, thou spirit-messenger, Will stream o'er all the words that in this place Shall be wrung forth from out mine inmost soul. For Theodora's self is now with mine To holy mystic service consecrate. (Philia, Astrid, Luna, and the Other Philia appear in a glowing cloud of light.) THE OTHER PHILIA: To Earth's primeval source Mount thoughts of sacrifice From many a holy shrine; Let all that lives in souls, Let all that spirit lights Soar to the world of form; Let cosmic-powers incline With graciousness to men, To kindle spirit-light Within their powers of soul. PHILIA: From cosmic spirits I Will beg their being's light, The soul-sense to uphold; The sound too of their words, To loose the spirit-ear, That what hath been aroused Upon the paths of soul May not become extinct In lives of men on Earth. ASTRID: