As follows faithfully the ancient path, Yet can it only touch the tree's coarse bark, And never reach the marrow's living power. ROMANUS: For my part I do seek in vain the bridge That truly leadeth from ideas to deeds. CAPESIUS: On one side thou dost over-estimate The power which can be wielded by ideas, And on the other thou dost fail to grasp The actual course of true reality: For it is certain that ideas must form The germ of all the actual deeds of men. ROMANUS: If this friend doth so many deeds of good, The impulse thereunto lies in herself And her warm-hearted nature, not in thought. Most certainly 'tis necessary for man, Whene'er he hath accomplished any work, To find foundation for it in ideas. But yet 'tis only schooling of man's will In harmony with all his skill and power To undertake some real work in life Which will help forward all the human race. When whirr of busy wheels sounds in mine ears, Or when I see some creaking windlass drawn By strong stout hands of men content to work, Then do I sense indeed the powers of Life. GERMANUS: Often in careless speech have I maintained That I preferred things droll and humorous And held these only full of wit and charm, Deeming that for my brain at any rate, They always would provide material Best fitted to fill up the time that lies Between my recreation and my work. But now quite tasteless to me seem such things; The Power Invisible hath conquered me; And I have learned to feel that there may be More powerful forces in humanity, Than all our wit's frail castles in the air. CAPESIUS: And did it seem that nowhere else but here 'Twas possible to find such spirit-powers? GERMANUS: Indeed the life I lived did offer me Full many a type of intellectual works: Yet cared I not to pluck or taste their fruit. But this strange mode of thought which blossoms here Seemed to attract and draw me to itself However little I desired to come. CAPESIUS: Most pleasant hath this hour of converse been, And we are debtors to our hostess here. (Exeunt all, except Maria and Johannes.) JOHANNES: Oh, stay a little while yet by my side, I am afraid:--so desperately afraid:-- MARIA: What is it aileth thee, my friend? Speak forth. JOHANNES: The first cause was our leader's speech; and then The chequered converse of these people here. It all hath moved and stirred me through and through. MARIA: But how could simple speeches such as these Seize on thine heart with such intensity? JOHANNES: Each word seemed in that moment unto me A dreadful symbol of our nothingness. MARIA: