TRUSTWORTHY (after a pause, during which he has withdrawn into himself):
Exalted Master, care oppresseth me Though I have striven long to banish it, For this is laid upon me by strict rules Which have been ordered for us by our league. But much that shows the life of this same league Hath made the struggle in my soul severe; Yet would I ever thankfully submit My darkness to the spirit-light, which thou Art capable of giving through thy powers. But when I must full often clearly see Thou wert a victim of delusion's snare And how thy words, e'en as events fell out, Did often prove so grievously at fault, Then have I felt as though some wicked elf Were resting painfully upon my soul. And this time also are thy words at fault. Thou couldst have reckoned that we certainly Should hear good tidings from this spirit here.
'Tis hard to understand the cosmic ways. My brother, we are well-advised to wait Until the spirit indicates the way Which is ordained for that which we create.
They see, but do not recognize me yet; For had they known who rules within this place They certainly would not have ventured here To seek direction; and they would condemn To age-long pains of hell that human soul Of whom, they heard, that it did visit me.
(All the persons who at the beginning of the play were assembled in the ante-room of the mystic league now appear on the scene; they are blindfolded to show their ignorance of the fact that they are in Ahriman's kingdom. The words they speak live in their souls, but they know nothing of them. They are experiencing during sleep unconscious dreams which are audible in Ahriman's kingdom. Strader, who also appears, is however semi-conscious with regard to all that he experiences, so that later on he will be able to recollect it.)
The hint that Benedictus gave to me That I should cultivate my power of thought, Hath led me to this kingdom of the dead. Although I hoped that raised to spirit-realms I should find truth on wisdom's sun-clad heights.
What thou canst learn of wisdom in this place Thou wilt find all-sufficient for long time, If here thou dost comport thyself aright.
Before what spirit doth my soul then stand?
That shalt thou know when memory presently Can call again to thee what here thou see'st.