Whereto doth this word's power conduct me now? A spirit-star on yonder shore of souls-- It shines,--it draweth nigh--as spirit-form, Grows brighter as it nears;--now forms appear;-- They act as beings act who are alive;-- A youthful mystic--and a sacred flame, The stern call of the highest hierophant To tell the vision seen within the flame. That woman doth the youthful mystic seek, Whom my sight saw without my sympathy. (Maria appears as a thought-form of Johannes.) MARIA: Who thought of thee before the sacred flame? Who felt thee near initiation's shrine? Johannes, wouldst thou tear thy spirit-shade From out the magic kingdoms of the soul; Live then the aims that it will show to thee; The path on which thou seek'st will guide thy steps, But thou must first discover it aright. The woman near the temple shows it thee If she lives powerfully within thy thought. Spellbound amongst shade-spirits doth she strive To draw nigh to that other shade who now Through thee doth evil service to grim shades. (The Spirit of Johannes' Youth appears.) THE SPIRIT OF JOHANNES' YOUTH: I will be grateful to thee evermore If thou in love dost cultivate the powers Laid up for me within the womb of time By that young mystic in that bygone age Whom once thy soul sought at the temple gate. But thou must first this spirit truly see At whose side I have now appeared to thee. MARIA: Maria, as thou wouldst behold her, lives In other worlds than those where truth abides. My holy earnest vow doth ray out strength Which shall keep for thee that which thou hast gained. In these clear fields of light me shalt thou find Where radiant beauty life-power doth create; Seek me in cosmic fundaments, where souls Fight to recover their divine estate Through love, which in the whole beholds the self. (While Maria is speaking the last lines, Lucifer appears.) LUCIFER: So work, compelling powers; Act therefore, powers of might, Ye elemental sprites, Feel now your master's power, And smooth for me the way That leads from realms of Earth That so there may draw near To Lucifer's domain Whate'er my wish desires, Whate'er obeys my will. (Enter Benedictus.) BENEDICTUS: Maria's holy earnest vow doth pour Now through his soul salvation's healing ray. He will admire thee, but he will not fall. LUCIFER: I mean to fight. BENEDICTUS: And, fighting serve the gods. Curtain SCENE 11 The same. Enter Benedictus and Strader. STRADER: Thou didst speak gravely, and Maria spoke Right harshly to me also, when ye two Showed yourselves to me at my life's abyss. BENEDICTUS: Thou know'st those pictures have no proper life; Their content only, strives to make its way Into the soul, and takes pictorial form. STRADER: