Indeed it was significant to see Pour forth in such short time so many kinds Of life and man's conflicting tendencies, In all the speeches that we lately heard. Yet 'tis indeed a most peculiar trait Of life, as it is lived amongst us here, To bring to speech the inner mind of man; And much that otherwise comes slowly forth, Stands here revealed in little space of time. JOHANNES: A mirrored picture 'twas of fullest life That showed me to myself in clearest lines: This spirit-revelation makes me feel That most of us protect and train one trait And one alone in all our character, Which thus persuades itself it is the whole. I sought to unify these many traits In mine own self and boldly trod the path Which here is shown, to lead unto that goal; And it hath made of me a nothingness. Keenly I feel what all these others lack, And yet I sense as keenly that they all Have actual part in life itself, whilst I Stand but on unsubstantial nothingness. It seemed whole lines of life ran into one Significant in those brief speeches here. But then mine own life's portrait also rose And stood forth vividly within my soul. The days of childhood first were painted there, With all its fulness and its joy in life: Then came the picture of my youthful prime With that proud hopefulness in parent-hearts Awakened by the talents of their son. Then dreams concerning my career in art, Which formed life's all in those old happy days, Surged up from out my spirit's inmost depths Exhorting to fulfil my cherished hopes; And then those dreams in which thyself didst see How I translated into coloured form The spirit-life that liveth in thy soul.