The solemn mystic kingdom will one day Be pictured by mankind as one great whole, When thought through feeling shall express itself And feeling let itself be led by thought.
Mankind, 'tis true, doth strive to see the light; But strange indeed the methods he pursues. For first he quencheth it, and is surprised That he can find it nowhere in the dark.
So too with souls: they find it good to talk As voicing the well-being of their mind, But underneath they fail in constancy. Such are for me quite unapproachable, And yet they will in future much achieve From which I'll reap a harvest of good fruit. They are by no means what they think themselves.
If knowledge is not gained through cautious search Then fantasy brings nought but airy forms To solve the riddle of the universe, Which only can be mastered by strict thought.
The cosmic substance must for ever change That all existence may unfold itself; And he who fain would keep all things the same Will lack the power to understand life's aims.
To live in fantasy, doth only mean To rob men's souls of every power in life Through which they can grow strong to serve themselves And do true service to their fellow men.
The soul that would but burden its own self Should form itself through outside powers alone; True men will only seek development From out their hidden personalities.
It is but human what these souls conceal. One cannot tell what they may yet achieve; For Lucifer may try his power on them, And make them think they are but working out Each his own powers of soul with steadfast aim; And so perchance he hath not lost them yet.
He who would cosmic riddles rightly read Must wait till understanding and right thought Reveal themselves through powers within his life, And he who fain would find his way aright Must seize all he can use that gives him joy. Above all else the search for wisdom's lore To give high aims to weak humanity-- This leads to nothing on this Earth of ours.
He hath been chosen as philosopher, And such he will appear in his next life-- With him I do but balance my account. Seven of twelve I ever need myself And five I give to Brother Lucifer. From time to time I take account of men And see both what they are and what they do. And when I once have chosen out my twelve I do not need to search for any more. For if I come in number to thirteen The last is just exactly like the first. When I have got these twelve within my realm And can through their soul-nature fashion them, Then others too must ever follow them.