In Lucifer's kingdom. A space which is not enclosed by artificial walls, but by fantastic forms which resemble plants, animals, etc. All in various brilliant shades of red. In the background are arranged three transparencies showing the top of Raphael's 'Disputa,' Leonardo's 'Last Supper,' and Raphael's 'School of Athens.' These are illuminated from the back of the stage whenever Maria or Benedictus challenges Lucifer. At other times they are invisible. On the right, Lucifer's throne. At first only the souls of Capesius and Maria are present. After a time Lucifer appears, and later on Benedictus and Thomasius, with his etheric counterpart or 'double,' and lastly, Theodora.
Thou, who within the realm of sense art named Capesius, I wonder why it is Thou art the being whom I meet the first In Lucifer's domain: 'tis dangerous When spirits of this place blow round one's head.
O speak not to me of Capesius Who in the kingdom of the Earth erewhile Strove through a life which he hath long since known Was but a dream. Whilst there be bent his mind Upon such things as ever come to pass As time streams on. And he had set himself In that way to discover all the powers Through which mankind fulfils its spirit-life. What thus he came to know about those powers He tried to keep deep fastened in his soul. Now only in this realm one understands To judge aright the knowledge he pursued. He thought the pictures he possessed were true And could reveal to him reality; But, viewed from here, they clearly show themselves As naught but empty dreams, which Spirit-hands Have woven round about weak men of Earth. They cannot bear the cold clear light of truth. They would be utterly afraid and stunned If they should learn how all the course of life Is turned by spirits after their ideas.
Thou speakest as I've only heard those speak Who ne'er have been incarnate on the Earth. They tell you Earth hath no significance, That in the universe its work is small. But he who hath belonged to realms of Earth And owes to it the best powers that he hath, Will have a different tale to tell thereof. He finds important many threads of fate Which bind Earth's life to that of all the worlds. E'en Lucifer who works here with such power Must keep his gaze fixed fast upon the Earth, And seek to turn men's deeds in such a way That their results may ripen his own soul. He knows he'd fall a victim to the dark If he could find no booty on the Earth, And so his fate is bound up with that sphere. So too, with those who dwell in other worlds. And when the human soul can clearly see The cosmic goal, which Lucifer desires, And can compare with it what those powers wish Who have him as opponent to their aims, Then will she know that he can be destroyed Through conquests which she gains o'er her own self.