This fuss about vile heresy is nought, And matters not. The fact is that these folk Had all they needed, and nought else to do But spend their leisure in abusive talk. A clever judge of human nature then Devised this silly tale about the Jew, How he had laid a spell upon our stock. And so from this alone the storm arose.
I think that every one of you might know What wars do mean, with all their misery. Have not our fathers told us all that they Must needs endure, when all the countryside Was overrun by bands of soldiery?
I always said that it would come to pass: Their lordships' rule must shortly fade away. Already hath a dream revealed to me How we can be of service to the troops When they arrive to carry out the siege, And take good care of all their creature needs.
If dreams today are still to be believed, That is a matter we need not discuss. The knights have tried to make us cleverer Than were our fathers. Now they have to learn How much our cleverness hath been increased. Our fathers let them in; in our turn we Shall drive them out. I know the secret tracks That yield an entrance to the fortalice. I used to work within it until rage Drove me away; now will I show the knights How we can make their science serve our ends.
He surely hath no good thought in his heart; I trembled as I listened to his words.
In spirit-vision I have lately seen A traitor leading hostile soldiery By secret ways into the castle's keep.
Such visions are destructive, I should say. No one who thinks as Christians ought to think But is aware that honesty alone, Not treason, can from evil set us free.
I let folk talk, and help as best I can. How often do we hear a thing called wrong By those who lack the courage in themselves To do that very thing. Let's go our ways; I see the father coming down the road; We will not interrupt his train of thought. I found no difficulty up till now In understanding everything he taught; But in the sermon which he preached today He said much that one could not understand.
(The Countryfolk go away towards the forest.)
(After an interval the Monk comes along the meadow path.)
It must be that a soul is led astray In striving to pursue her natural course. The weakness of my heart alone allowed Such visions to appear before mine eyes As those which I beheld within those walls. That they must show themselves to me in strife Is proof enough how little yet in me The psychic forces work in harmony. Therefore will I address myself anew To kindle in myself those potent words Which bring me light from out the Spirit-heights. That man alone prefers another road, Whom personal illusions have made blind. The soul can only triumph over lies By proving herself worthy of the grace Which Spirit-light, outpoured from founts of love, In words of wisdom doth reveal to her. I know that I shall find the greatest strength Which can throw light on what the Fathers taught. When from the gloom of self's imaginings With lowly heart submissive I can flee.