Dost thou recall the painter, that young man We both encountered whilst he was engrossed Following the dubious course of spirit-ways? After such buffetings from fate I lived For many weeks benumbed, to madness nigh. And when by nature's aid I was at last Restored to sense, I made a firm resolve To meddle with such seeking never more. Long, long it was before I had regained My body's health; and 'twas a joyless time. I made myself proficient in those things That lead to business and to normal life. So now I am a factory manager, Where screws are made. This is the work I thank For many hours in which I can forget My bitter sufferings in a futile quest. CAPESIUS: I must confess I scarce can recognize My friend of former days; so different Is now the guise in which he shows himself. Beside those hours of which thou spak'st just now Were there not others full of storm and stress, In which the ancient conflicts were renewed That urged thee forth from this benumbing life? STRADER: I am not spared those hours in mine own soul When impotence 'gainst impotence doth strive. And fate hath not so willed it in my case That rosy beams of hope should force their way Into my heart, and leave assurance there That this my present life is not an utter loss. Renunciation is henceforth my goal. Yet may the force which such a task requires Endow me later on with faculty To follow up my quest in other ways. (Aside.) If this terrestrial life repeats itself. CAPESIUS: Thou spak'st,--if I indeed have heard aright,-- Of repetition of thy life on earth. Then hast thou really won this fateful truth, Found it on spirit-journeys, which today Thou none the less condemnst as dubious? STRADER: This is the way once travelled by thyself To that conviction which hath given me strength To make a new beginning of my life. I sought upon my sick-bed once for all In comprehensive survey to embrace The field of knowledge traversed by myself. And this I did, ere seeking other aims. I must have asked myself an hundred times What we can learn from nature, and infer From what we know at present of her laws. I could not find a loophole for escape. The repetition of our earthly life Cannot and must not be denied by thought That doth not wish to tear itself away From all research hath found for ages past. CAPESIUS: Could I have had one such experience Then should I have been spared much bitter pain. I sought through many a weary wakeful night For liberating thoughts to set me free. STRADER: