How could I be so blinded, so misled? The rapture which I felt on looking back Over a period of bygone times Deluded me to vain forgetfulness Of manifold shortcomings. Not till now Did I foresee that I must turn my gaze Into the darkness ere I comprehend The road that leads back from this present life To olden days when my friend's soul sought mine. To thee, my master, will I make my vow Henceforth to bridle my soul's arrogance...! Now for the first time do I realize How pride of knowledge leads the soul astray; So that, instead of its imbibing strength From freely offered stores of spirit-wealth, It misapplies the gift in wanton use And only holds the mirror up to self. I know at last from my heart's warning call, To which thy words lend added power, how far I am today e'en from the nearest goal. No more will I be overswift to read A meaning into words from spirit-lands. I will esteem them power wherewith my soul May shape its course--, not as some message sent To free me from the need of finding out The goal of action in my daily life. Had I paid earlier heed unto this truth And gone my way in due humility; I had not failed to see that only then When he decides to tread a path not traced By me beforehand, can my friend unfold To fullest bloom his richly-gifted soul. And now that this is clear I shall not fail In finding strength sufficient to fulfil What love and duty may require of me. Yet do I feel assured this very hour More clearly than I ever was before That some grave testing of my soul draws nigh. For mostly, when men tear from out their hearts That of themselves which in another lives, Love hath been changed into its opposite. Themselves they change the ties that coupled them, Yet passion's impulse gives to them the power. Whilst I must of mine own free will uproot The workings of my soul's life, which I saw Accomplishing themselves in my friend's acts; And still unchanging must my love abide. BENEDICTUS: If thou wouldst steer thy course direct, thou must Become aware of what thou most didst prize In this thy love. For once thou knowst the force That leads thee all unknown within thy soul, Thou wilt find power to do what duty bids. MARIA: