I gather, brother Felix, from thy words, That thou dost think the time hath now expired When we did serve earth's purposes the best Through wisdom's light, ourselves unconsecrate-- When we showed forth from roots in our own life The living way of spirit and of love. In thee the spirits of the earth arose To give thee light without the lore of books: In me did love hold sway, the love that dwells And works within the life of men on earth. And now we wish to join our brethren here,-- Who, consecrate, within this temple serve,-- And bring forth fruitful work in human souls. BENEDICTUS: If ye unite your labour now with us, Then must the consecrated work succeed. The wisdom which I gave unto my son Will surely blossom forth in him as power. THEODOSIUS: If ye unite your labour now with us, Then must the thirst for sacrifice arise. And through the soul life of whoever seeks The spirit-path, will breathe the warmth of love. ROMANUS: If ye unite your labour now with us, Then must the fruits of spirit ripen fast. Deeds will spring up, which through the spirit's work Will blossom from your soul's discipleship. RETARDUS: If they unite their labour now with you What shall become of me? My deeds will prove Fruitless to those who would the spirit seek. BENEDICTUS: Then wilt thou change into thine other self: Since now thou hast accomplished all thy work. THEODOSIUS: Henceforth thou wilt live on in sacrifice If thou dost freely sacrifice thyself. ROMANUS: Thou wilt bear fruit on earth in human deeds If I myself may tend the fruits for thee. JOHANNES (speaking out of his meditation, as in the previous scene): The brethren in the temple showed themselves To my soul-sight, resembling in their form Men whose appearance I already know. Yet Benedictus seemed a spirit too. He who stood on his left seemed like that man Who through the feelings only would draw nigh The spirit-realms. The third resembled him, Who doth but recognize the powers of life When they show forth through wheels and outward works. The fourth I do not know. The wife who saw The spirit's light after her husband's death, I recognized in her own inmost being. And Felix Balde came just as in life. The curtain falls slowly. SCENE 6 Scene the same as the Fourth. (The Spirit of the Elements stands in the same place.) FELICIA: Thou calledst me. What wouldst thou hear of me? SPIRIT: Two men did I present unto the earth Whose spirit-powers were fructified through thee. They found their soul's awakening in thy words When meditation dry had lamed them both. Thy gifts to them make thee my debtor too. Their spirit doth not of itself suffice To render full repayment unto me For all the service which I did for them. FELICIA: