Thou art within that brotherhood's abode Whom thou dost charge with wicked heresies. They seem to hate what we are taught to love And hold in honour what we count as sin. Our brethren feel themselves in duty bound To haste the spirit-brethren's overthrow, And think their action sanctioned by the words I spake myself whilst I was still on earth. Yet do they not imagine that these words Can only hold the living truth so long As they are rightly acted on by those Who have been my successors in my work. So let those thoughts which I once held on earth Rise up afresh and live within thy soul In harmony with needs of newer times. And thus behold this Order, which doth seek Its goal in mystic realms, as I should judge And look on it, if it had been my lot To dwell on earth and work with thee today. This brotherhood is vowed to lofty aims. These individuals who have joined its ranks Have premonitions of the days to come; Their leaders see with a prophetic eye The fruits that shall grow ripe in future times; Science and daily life shall undergo A change of form and seek ideals new; And what this brotherhood doth now achieve, Whom thou hast lent a hand to persecute, Are deeds which serve to bring this change about. Alone by peaceful union of the aims Sought by our brethren and these heretics Can good be made to blossom on this earth. MONK: This warning, of which I am worthy found, How can I act upon it? It departs Amazingly from all that I have held, Up to this moment, to be right and good. (Ahriman and Lucifer appear.) But other beings now are drawing nigh! Why do they come and stand beside thee now? AHRIMAN: This further message comes from other realms. It cannot seem an easy thing for thee Thy predecessor's bidding to obey. Reflect--he dwells in everlasting bliss. And actions by decree and duty there Desirable, may well upon the earth Lead to confusion at the present time. Lift up thine eyes to where he dwells on high If thou wouldst seek for comfort from the bliss That, when the latter days of earth draw near, By cosmic spirits is to be bestowed. But if at present thou wouldst act aright, Be guided only, in the choice of paths, By that which reason and the senses teach. Thou hast been able clearly to discern The sinful ways of yonder brotherhood Which they would fain keep secret from the world; Thus hast thou learned that laws for future life Can well be framed by souls now steeped in sin! How canst thou wish, now that thou knowst these things, To live in friendship with the brotherhood? For error is a poor and sterile soil Where good fruit cannot come to ripening. LUCIFER: