I know how closely to my soul are knit Johannes' life and aims. A stony road Of fate brought us together; and God's will Hath hallowed in high spirit-realms our bond. All this stands out before me e'en as clear As only truth itself can be. And yet-- Horror o'erpowers me that these lips of mine Must utterance give to sacrilegious words-- And yet--deep in my soul I hear a voice Which tells me plainly and repeatedly Despite my utmost will to fight it down: 'Thou must give up Johannes, let him go. No longer mayst thou keep him at thy side If thou wouldst not work evil to his soul. Alone he must proceed along the road On which he travels to his longed for goal.' I know that if thou dost but speak the word This lying dream will cease to haunt my soul. BENEDICTUS: Maria, noble grief leads thee astray To see the truth yet call it counterfeit. MARIA: What I have seen--is truth.... It cannot be! Between my master's utterance and mine ear Delusion steals. O speak to me again. BENEDICTUS: What I have spoken, thou hast heard aright: Thy love is noble, and Johannes stands Close-knit to thee. But love must not forget That she is wisdom's sister. Long indeed For his salvation hath Johannes been With thee united. Now his soul demands, For its own progress, freedom to pursue Its aims unhindered. Fate doth not decree That ye shall be no longer outward friends; But this it doth demand with strict decree Johannes' freedom in the spirit-realm. MARIA: Still do I hear delusion: so let me Alone continue speaking, for I know That thou must understand me without fail. For sure it is no lying shape will dare To change the words unto thine ear addressed. My host of doubts were easily dispersed If earth-life's tortuous course alone it were That knits Johannes' soul unto mine own. But to our bond was lofty sanction given Which knits soul unto soul eternally. And spirit-powers did speak with blessings meet The word that bans all doubt for evermore: 'He hath won truth within th' eternal realms Because in worlds of sense his inmost self Already was united with thine own.' What can this revelation mean to me If now its very opposite is true? BENEDICTUS: