Yet it was hard to hear these pictures say: 'Where is thy light? Thou rayest darkness out, Midst light thou dost create the baffling gloom.' So spake the spirit through Maria's form. BENEDICTUS: Because in thine ascent thou hadst attained To higher levels on the spirit-path. The spirit, which had led thee to itself, Used darkness as a symbol to depict The state of knowledge which was thine before. This spirit chose to use Maria's form Because thy soul itself so fashioned it. The spirit, my dear Strader, at this hour Works mightily within thee and will lead Thee with swift flight to lofty grades of soul. STRADER: And yet these words still terrify my soul: 'Because thou art afraid to ray out light.' The spirit spake this also in that scene. BENEDICTUS: The spirit had to call thy soul afraid Because in thee those things were fearfulness Which would, in lesser souls, be bravery. As we advance, our former bravery Turns into fear which must be overcome. STRADER: Oh! how these words do pierce me to the heart! Romanus lately told me of his plan: I was to carry out the work myself Not as thy partner but without thine aid. In this event, he was prepared to use All that he had to succour Hilary. When I declared that I could ne'er consent To separate the work from out thy group, He answered that in that case it would be In vain to make more effort. He it is Who backs the opposition to my work, Which Hilary's companion offereth. Without these plans my life must worthless seem. Since these two men have torn away from me My field of action, all that I can see Ahead is life reft of the breath of life. In order that my spirit may not show Discouragement I need that bravery Of which thou spak'st just now. But whether I Shall find my strength sufficient for the task Is more than I can say, for I can feel How that same force which I must needs set free Will likewise work on me distinctively. BENEDICTUS: Maria and Johannes have just made Advances in clairvoyance; and the things Which hindered them from bridging o'er the gap Between the mystic life and world of sense Are no more there, and in the course of time Aims will appear in which both thou and they Can take part jointly. 'Tis not guidance, but Creative strength that flows from mystic words: 'For that which must will surely come to pass.' And so in wakefulness we must await The way in which the spirit sends the signs. STRADER: