I willingly admit my plans would show Themselves imperfect, if amongst mankind True comprehension were not first aroused For this new kind and style of handicraft. What Strader and Thomasius create Must be perfected in the Sanctuary Which I shall build for spirit knowledge here. What Benedictus, what Capesius And what Maria yonder shall impart Will show to man the path that he should tread And make him feel the need to penetrate His human senses with the spirit's light. MANAGER: And so thou wouldst endow a little clique To live self-centred, from the world apart, And shut thyself from all true human life. Thou fain wouldst banish selfishness on earth Yet wilt thou cherish it in thy retreat. HILARY: A dreamer, it would seem, thou thinkest me, Who thoughtlessly denies experience That life hath brought him. Thus should I appear Unto myself if, for one moment's space, I held this view thou hast about success. The cause that I hold dear may fail indeed, Yet even if, despised by all mankind It crumbles into dust and disappears, Yet was it once conceived by human souls And set up as a pattern on this earth. In spirit it will work its way in life Although it stay not in the world of sense. It will contribute part of that great power Which in the end will make it come to pass That earthly deeds are wed to spirit aims; This in the spirit-wisdom is foretold. MANAGER: I am thy servant and have had my say As duty and conviction bade me speak; Yet now the attitude thou hast assumed Gives me the right to speak as friend to friend. In work together with thee I have felt Myself impelled for many a year to seek A personal knowledge of the things to which Thou giv'st thyself with such self-sacrifice; My only guides have been the written words Wherein the spirit-wisdom is revealed.-- And though the worlds are hidden from my gaze To which those writings had directed me, Yet in imagination I can feel The mental state of men whose simple trust Leads them to seek such spirit-verities. I have found confirmation in myself Of what the experts in this love describe, As being the possession of such souls As feel themselves at home in spirit realms. The all-important thing, it seems to me, Is that such souls, despite their utmost care, Cannot divide illusions from the Truth When they come down from out the spirit heights As come they must, back into earthly life. Then from the spirit world, so newly won, Visions descend upon them which prevent Their seeing clearly in the world of sense, And, thus misled, their judgment goes astray In things pertaining to this life on earth. HILARY: