Soon Benedictus will, I hope, appear And hear himself the message thou dost bring: He went a journey and hath just returned. A great man surely doctor Strader was. At first I did not have much confidence In Hilary's tremendous plan of work; But, as I frequently was in the room Whilst Strader was engaged in showing him What further needs his plan of work involved, All my objections swiftly lost their force. Aye full of spirit, with the keenest sense For all things possible and purposeful, He yet was ever heedful that the end Should issue reasonably from the work; Ne'er would he anything for granted take. He held himself quite as a mystic should; As people who are anxious to behold A lovely view from some tall mountain-crest Keep plodding on till they have reached the top Nor try to paint the picture in advance. NURSE: A man of lofty spirit and great gifts Thou knewest hard at work in active life. I, in the short time it was given me To render earth's last services to him Learned to admire his loftiness of soul. A sweet soul, that, except for seven years Of utmost bliss, walked aye through life alone. Their wisdom mystics offered him,--but love Was all his need;--his lust for outward deeds Was naught but--love, which sought for many forms Of life in which to manifest itself. That which this soul sought on the mystic path Was needful to its being's noble fire, As sleep is to the body after toil. SECRETARY: In him the mystic wisdom was the source Of outward deeds as well; for all his work Was ever fully steeped in its ideals. NURSE: Because in him love was a natural law, And he had to unite himself in soul With all the aspirations of his life; E'en his last thoughts were still about the work To which in love he did devote himself-- As people part from beings whom they love So Strader's soul reluctantly did leave The work on earth through which his love had poured. SECRETARY: He lived in spirit with full consciousness: And Theodora was with him as aye She was in life--true mystic souls feel thus. NURSE: Because his loneliness knit him to her, She stood before him still in death. By her He felt that he was called to spirit-worlds To finish there his incompleted task. For Benedictus just before his death He wrote a message which I now have come To give into the mystic leader's hands. So must the life of this our time on earth Unfold itself yet further, full of doubt;-- But brightened by sun-beings such as he, From whom a wider number may receive, Like planets, light-rays which awaken life. (Enter Benedictus left. Exit Secretary right.) NURSE: Before his strength departed, Strader wrote These few lines for thee. I have come to bring His message to his faithful mystic friend. BENEDICTUS: