A chamber in the castle whose exterior was shown in the preceding scene. Decorated throughout with symbols of a Mystic Brotherhood. (For costumes, see note on page 145.) Columns, arches, and vaulted roof with the mystic symbols shown in the Author's 'Occult Symbols.' First the Knights assemble; then the Monk and one of the Knights; later appears the spirit of Benedictus who has passed away about fifty years earlier. Then Lucifer and Ahriman. The Grand Master seated with four Brothers at a long table. GRAND MASTER: Ye who are joined with me in comradeship To seek the goal appointed unto man, And bring that knowledge from the spirit-realm Into the scope of earth's activities, As is appointed to our brotherhood, Must also truly help me in this hour When heavy trials impend. Then, know ye all That since our venerated master fell, A victim by the Powers of Darkness claimed, Who draw their strength from Evil, helping on The plan of Wisdom by their natural means, That is by means of Opposition's strength, Since Wisdom turneth Evil into Good: Since that sad loss we strive on earth in vain, For many a castle of our brotherhood Hath by our enemies been overwhelmed, And many brothers dear to us have fallen In fight, and followed our great Master home Into the realm of everlasting light. For us too doth the hour approach apace When these stout walls that shelter us shall fall. Our foes already spy the country round To find a pretext under which they may Rob us of our possessions, ne'er acquired For our own use, but as a means to draw Around us individuals, in whose souls We could implant the germs of things to come. These germs shall ripen when those men themselves Find their way back from out the spirit-land To live anew in future days on earth. FIRST MASTER OF CEREMONIES: That this our brotherhood should be o'erthrown By some obscure design of destiny, Is something nowise inconceivable. But that the fall of our community Should doom so many brothers' single lives, Would seem to contravene the cosmic law. I do not wish my words to make complaint, Since willingly our brothers suffer death. But still my soul desires to comprehend The sacrifice demanded from these men Who have allied themselves unto a whole, Because the powers of destiny decree The overthrow and ruin of that whole. GRAND MASTER: