Another meaning hides within my words Than that of the ideas which they convey; They guide the natural forces of the soul To spirit-verities; their inward sense Cannot be understood until the day On which they waken vision in the soul That yields itself to their compelling power. They are not fruitage of mine own research; But spirits have entrusted them to me, Spirits well skilled to read the signs in which The Karma of the world doth stand revealed. The special virtue of these words is this, Unto the source of knowledge they can guide. Yet none the less it must be each man's task, Who understands them in their truest sense, To drink the spirit-waters from that source. Nor are my words designed to hinder thee From being swept away to worlds that seem To thee fantastic. Thou hast seen a realm Which must remain illusion just as long As thou dost lose thyself on entering it. But wisdom's outer portal will be found Unsealed to thine advancing soul so soon As thou dost near it with self-consciousness. CAPESIUS: And how can I maintain self-consciousness? BENEDICTUS: The answer to this riddle thou shalt find When, with awakened inner eye, thou dost Perceive before thee many wondrous things, Which shortly will be found to cross thy path. Know that a test hath been ordained for thee By lords of fate and by the spirit-powers. (Exit.) CAPESIUS: Although their meaning is not clear to me I feel his words at work within myself. He hath appointed me a goal; and I Am ready to obey. He doth not ask For stress of thought; it seems that he desires I should press forward with exploring feet To find the spirit-verities myself. I cannot tell how he was sent to me; And yet his actions have compelled my trust; He hath restored me to myself once more. So though at present I may not divine The nature of the spell that shook me so, I will not shrink from facing these events Which his prophetic vision hath foretold. Curtain whilst Capesius remains standing SCENE 2 A meditation chamber. Prevailing colour violet. Serious, but not gloomy atmosphere. Benedictus, Maria, then the Spirit-Figures representing soul-powers. MARIA: Great conflicts in my soul bid me invoke Wise counsel from my master in this hour. Gloomy forebodings rise within my heart. And I am powerless to withstand the thoughts That overwhelm me ever and again. They pierce me to my being's inmost core; They seek to lay upon me a command Which to obey doth seem like sacrilege. Deceitful powers must be obsessing me; Oh, I implore thee--lend me aid ... that I May exorcise them. BENEDICTUS: Never shalt thou lack What thou dost need of me at any time. MARIA: