Where'er I go, I find awaiting me The ancient hatred and the bitter taunts. And yet I suffer not a whit the less Each time I find myself exposed to them. There seems to be no reasonable cause Why people should behave toward me thus. And yet one thought pursues me evermore Which makes the truth apparent to my soul, That nothing can befall us without cause. So too a reason there must be for this, That suffering is the lot of all my tribe. So with the lords of yonder citadel, I find their lot is near akin to mine. They have but chosen of their own free will That which by nature is imposed on me. They set themselves apart from all mankind, And strive in isolation to acquire The powers through which they may attain their goal. Thus can I feel the debt I owe to fate And find her blessing in my loneliness. Forced to rely on my own soul alone I took the realms of science for my field. And recognized from what I learned therein That ripe for new attainments was our time. The laws of nature, hitherto unknown, Must now reveal themselves unto mankind And make him master of the world of sense Whence he will be allowed to liberate Powers he can put to use for his own ends. So have I tried, as far as in me lay, To make fresh progress in the healing art. This toil endeared me to the brotherhood. Its members made me free of their estates To seek to find the forces that reside In plants and 'neath the surface of the ground, That they may yield for us new benefits. My actions therefore march with their designs, And I confess that I have plucked with joy Much goodly fruit whilst going on my way. (Exit into the wood.) Thomas, the Master miner, enters from the wood. Enter the Monk.) THOMAS: Here will I sit and rest a little while. My soul hath need of rest to find itself After the shocks which I have had to bear. (The Monk comes up to him.) MONK: I greet thee heartily, most valiant son. Thou hast come here in search of solitude. Thy work well done, thou wouldst have peace and quiet In which to turn thy thoughts to spirit-worlds. To see my well-loved pupil thus employed Rejoiceth me. But why so sad thine eyes? 'Twould seem anxiety weighs down your soul. THOMAS: Pain oft is neighbour unto highest bliss; That this is so my own life proves today. MONK: Hast thou then met with bliss and pain at once? THOMAS: I told thee, reverend father, that I loved The mountain-warden's daughter, and confessed That she was also greatly drawn to me. She is to marry me and share my life. MONK: She will be true to thee, come weal, come woe; She is a faithful daughter of the Church. THOMAS: Such an one only would I take to wife; Since, honoured master, I have learned from thee The meaning of obedience to God's will. MONK: