Such talk as this is not what I require. I now have need of Strader--whilst this man Can still have perfect faith in his own self; Then Benedictus far too easily Will make his wisdom known amongst mankind. The friend of Hilary might be of use To Lucifer; I must act otherwise-- Through Strader I must Benedictus harm. For he and all his pupils can achieve Nothing at all, hath he not Strader's aid. Mine enemies of course still have their powers, And after Strader's death he will be theirs. But if while still on earth his soul can be Deceived about itself, my gain will be That Benedictus can no longer use Him as the leader of his coach's team. Now in fate's book I have already read That Strader's span of life is nearly run. But Benedictus can not yet see this. My trusty knave, too crafty is thy wit, Who takest me for some dull foolish clown. (To Fox) So well thou reasonest that men attend. Go therefore and see Strader very soon Tell him that his machine is ill-contrived; That 'tis not only unpropitious times That check fulfilment of his promises; But that his reasoning also is at fault. THE SOUL OF FOX: For such a mission am I well equipped. For some time past I have done nothing else But think how I can unto Strader prove How full of error his ambitions are. When once a man hath formed a clever scheme By dint of many nights of earnest thought He will with ease believe that ill-success Is due not to his thought but outward acts. And Strader's case is surely pitiable; Had such a man as he shunned mystic snobs, And made fit use of his fine intellect, His great endowments surely would have borne Much fruit and profit for humanity. AHRIMAN: Now see to it that thou art shrewdly armed. This is thy task: Thou art to undermine The confidence of Strader in himself. No longer then will he desire to work With Benedictus, who must henceforth rest Upon himself and his own arguments. But these are not so pleasing to mankind, Who will be more opposed to them on earth The more their inmost nature is disclosed. THE SOUL OF FOX: I see already how I shall begin To show to Strader where his thought hath failed. There is a flaw within his new machine, Though he cannot perceive it of himself. A veil of mystic darkness hinders him. But I, with my clear common sense, shall be Of much more use to him than mystic dreams. This for a long while hath been my desire; Yet knew I not how to accomplish it. At length a light is thrown athwart my path. Now must I think of all the arguments Which will make Strader realize the truth. (Ahriman leads out Fox's soul and again blindfolds the individual portraying the soul before he is allowed to depart.) AHRIMAN (alone):