Thy trusty messenger I could not be. Thou gav'st me power to picture human life; And I could well portray whate'er inspired The souls of men at this time or at that: But yet it was impossible for me To gift my words, which painted but the past, With power to fill and satisfy men's souls.
The weakness which must needs befall me too Was but a true reflection of thine own. Knowledge indeed thou couldst give to me: But not the power to still that yearning voice, Which strives for truth in every yearning heart. Deep in mine inmost soul I none the less Felt other powers continually arise.
See now then what result your weakness brings. The brethren are approaching with those souls In whom they will o'erthrow my power. E'en now Johannes and Maria feel their might.
(Enter Benedictus with Lucifer and Ahriman; behind them Johannes and Maria.)
Johannes' and Maria's souls have now No longer room for blind unseeing power: To spirit-life they have been lifted up.
Then must I straightway from their souls depart. The wisdom unto which they have attained, Doth give them power to see me, and my sway O'er souls of men doth only last so long As I remain invisible to them. Yet doth the power continue which hath been From the creation of the worlds mine own. And though I cannot tempt their souls, yet still My power will cause within their spirit-life Most beauteous fruits, to ripen and endure.
Johannes' and Maria's souls have now Destroyed all error's darkness in themselves; And spirit-sight hath been revealed to them.
I must indeed renounce their spirits then; For they will turn henceforth unto the light. Yet one thing hath not yet been ta'en from me; With sense-appearance to delight their souls. And though no longer they will deem it truth, Yet will they see how truth it doth reveal.
Close intertwinéd was thy destiny With thine exalted sister's loftier life: The light of love I could impart to her: But not the warmth of love, so long as thou Didst always let thy noblest impulses From dim sensations only rise in thee, And didst not strive to see them clear and bold In the full light of wisdom's certainty. The influence of the Temple does not reach Unto the nature of vague impulses, E'en though such impulse wills to work for good.