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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Introduction
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and finally learns the true significance of the Second Advent of our Lord.
man of the world; and we hear too the scoffing cynicism of the materialist
physical as well as the spiritual plane; and we learn also about the
whilst the rehearsals are actually in progress, finishing it a few days
right back to their earlier incarnation in ancient Egypt.
difficulties and expense incurred each year in securing an appropriate
to attend the rehearsals and assist in the performances of the plays.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Editorial Summary of the Scenes
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Johannes' second meditation among the mountains three years later than Scene 2. ‘Feel thou thyself.’

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Editorial Summary of the Scenes
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Johannes' second meditation among the mountains three years later than Scene 2. ‘Feel thou thyself.’

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Interlude
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Forgive me, dear Estelle, for keeping you waiting. I had
One cannot, I fear, form a proper conception a work of art by
simply hearing of its contents. But would like you to tell me
that she had lost the heart of the man she loved. When he heard
heart belonged entirely to his benefactress. Yet he grew ever
My dear Sophy; you misunderstand me. I can easily distinguish
of a deep problem of life. I was once again able to realize clearly
Dear Estelle, let us not speak of my conception of the world to-day.
A vivid grasp of real truth must needs create in the heart a sense
But it could be altered, if men would only become clear on one
does not know the appearance of what is outside his senses.
Au revoir, dear Sophy.
Good-bye, dear Estelle.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Beings and Persons Represented
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reveals itself as that of the Earth-brain.
female characters, over their dress, wear bright broad stoles
has golden hair, wears crimson robes, and stands upon the right
of Johannes. Lucifer appears as female.
the conventional Satan, wears yellow robes and stands upon the
Benedictus wears a long white robe over which is a broad
golden stole with mystic emblems in red. He also wears a golden
wears long brownish robes and is made to appear like a giant with
heavy clogs, as if tied to earth. Scene 6.
wears white and has angel's wings in the seventh and eleventh

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Prelude
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From the kind earth;
obtain a clear view of essential mysteries.
I really came in, dear Sophy, to ask whether you would come with
Soul. I should so like to hear it with you.
I'm sorry, my dear Estelle, but to-night is the date set
for the performance of the play, which our society has been rehearsing
to have spent this evening with my old friend. I had set my heart
hearts since we were at school together.
in me, when, as the years roll on, I see how your affections are
foundations, we nevertheless try most earnestly not to over-estimate
to itself illimitable depth must needs lead through the mere appearance
whilst they swear allegiance to your ideas, yet display spiritual
consulted the sciences, so far as I could, to learn what
My dear Estelle, that is exactly the fact that you will not grasp
to the multitude. In its place you know only the bearer of knowledge.
critique of life. No hunger is stilled, no tears are dried, no
of hunger, or tear-stained faces, or degenerates are shown upon

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 1
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do so, they discuss the discourse they have just heard in the auditorium,
And that has bound us both for ten blest years.
In which we both have heard and learned so much
My listening heart could feel the very dart
That hovered in thy soul; but in the hearts
That all the wonders of thy spirit's search
Soul rapture deep into the hearts of men.
Guided thy steadfast brush from year to year.
Shed by the flickering sunlight o'er the earth.
No feeling stirs my heart, when changing moods
My heart is deeply grieved to hear that thou
Of sacred life itself within my heart.
And lifts him to the highest that his heart
Surely, it seemed, the artist's clear keen eye,
Remorselessly it drove out from my heart
A point where I no longer clearly see,
Alas! The years that pass have taught me this
To depths of earnest feeling; and can cast
To other hearts, when from mine own it pours.
We wandered year on year in earnest search;
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 2
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'Tis thus I hear them, now these many years,
I hear them in the wind and in the wave:
Out from earth's depths do they resound to me:
The earth I follow on its cosmic course:
But now another body hovers near;
And clearly do I see how up till now
Revealed the core of suns and earths to me.
They throb within my pulse, beat in mine heart;
Who art thou, fearful, execrable shape?
In this dark hour of strife — yet yearnings vague
Ah cruel, sombre, fearful solitude
Appearance and deception if we grasp
It may appear to thee as truth, beware;
Which hath o'erwhelmed thy soul, dear friend of mine,
It doth appear to me that we shall walk
We two must seek clear vision in that light,
A grievous destiny is thine, dear friend,
Thou canst ascend the clearest heights of truth,
Deep down I had to dive within the hearts
For I am driven from fear into the dark
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 3
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Thou shalt come unto me to hear the word
Bear me aloft unto the spirit's home.’
Clear proof it was that all thy counselling
We saw its early promise blossom forth
Then came the time when in the child-like heart
And soon did learn full many a beauteous word
When this young heart first quivered into warmth,
I saw appear in her those tokens strange
To solve for me life's fearful questionings
According to the dictates of my heart
Why I must bear this heavy destiny,
Who would descend into the realms of earth,
Doth plant the seed within some human heart.
That human hearts can e'er experience.
And brought to being through thy birth on earth
Did reach ripe fruitage when thy years were few. —
Nor grew thy yearning for the spirit-land
Anger and love thy soul did learn to know
Who hath not known as yet life's shadowed fears.
Thus thou didst learn to understand life's joy,
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 4
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And into earth's free realms thou hast escaped.
Midst earth's confusion thou didst seek to prove
And thou hast found again the earth's pure light,
I make earth hard and fast. The spirits willed
Thy mortal eyes saw me in all earth's growth;
Capesius and Strader, whom he has brought to the earth's surface
from the earth's depths. They are conceived as souls looking
out upon the earth's surface. The Spirit of the Elements is
in years, here appears the younger. He wears blue robes of various
shades, Strader wears brown and yellow.)
Thrill in my heart. I will translate in words
If I can pour into their life on earth
Sound proud indeed; but in the depths of earth
Ye mortals hear them only at those times
Storm-spirits in primeval. depths of earth.
To man's best observation and research.
Doth only search in realms to spirit strange.
But in mine aged heart thy words fall dead
To proud achievement in my search for truth.
In life's storm-centres many a year I stood,
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 5
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Let warmth flow in his heart that he may grasp
He doth draw near the spirit of the world.
A spirit, and will fashion thus his ear
That it can hear and know the spirit-speech.
Shall fill his soul with life; there too the earth's
So must ye also to my words give ear
No sign as yet hath come to us from earth
First must they bring us message that the earth
Out of myself I give to man on earth
Appear to him the highest, just so long
(Felix Balde appears in his earthly shape: the Other Maria
They near our temple of their own free will
Now have they learned whither mankind is led
A power, which speaks from very depths of earth
My friend, then tell us now how thou hast learned
The light that shines in men as learning's fruit
Which serve world-cycles in the earth's dark depths.
Doth only serve the surface of the earth,
Unto primeval origins of earth
And without spirit earth's primeval beasts
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 6
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Thou calledst me. What wouldst thou hear of me?
Two men did I present unto the earth
For many years one of these men did come
In my own soul from my first childhood's years;
And yet our son's clear spirit-sense was killed
A man of desert soul and empty heart.
The earthly part in them; and so through me
What thou at first didst do for them on earth,
When one day in the souls and hearts of men,
For therein dwelt a tired and weary man,
The cycle of the earth in love and hate.
like clogs are almost earth-bound.)
O'er land and sea; with learned pedantry
But these two beings' words fell on deaf ears;
The man heard not, but wandered blindly on
In his dry search for truth from East to West.
In which they do appear within my brain.
Yet mostly men do hear me not, so now
To speak as well where men can hear my words.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 7
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at a distance, then coming nearer; Theodora; lastly Benedictus.
Clear essence of the light;
Dear image of my spirit,
With clearest rays of light
Dear sister, that thou may'st
Dear sister, that thou may'st
Dear sister, that thou may'st
Souls yearning for joy.
To charm the spirit's ear;
That he, whose wakening nears,
Unto the heart of man Who is initiate;
Into his work on earth
The human seeker's heart:
(Johannes appears.)
I knew on earth, and looked beyond the space
A group of faithful hearers to his feet.
As he appeared in earthly life when young,
And only those who in their earthly life
Appear unchanged within the spirit-realms.
Had kept the forms in which they lived on earth,
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 8
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Compels belief. We met three years ago;
Once did I hear a lecture in thy group,
And one might well believe that he heard not
A single word of all those spoken near.
It seemed as though the man himself heard not,
But rather that his very grief had ears:
of a truth thou hast throughout these years
Presumptuous to draw near with eager mind.
My point of view. I hear thee oft repeat
Thomasius did search me through and through:
Through sense-appearance unto spirit-self.
In new light do appear. To know ourselves
Nothing all learning but illusory;
Capesius is nearer far to-day
And Strader in the years he hath not reached
In earthly life do manifest themselves
Unfolded in his former lives on earth.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 9
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Johannes' second meditation among the mountains three years later
O man, feel thou thyself! For three long years
Their whispered breathing thrills my spirit-ear;
And hid within themselves they bear the hope,
And all that doth make hard the solid earth.
Soul-substance will they pour into my heart
Ye place me near the highest aims of gods;
From these high aims in my weak, earthly form.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 10
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I knew not whether dream or truth appeared.
Feel me in thy soul-depths, and bear my power
(Theodosius disappears.)
His light can disappear but for awhile;
It seems some spirit-being draweth near.
For near me I can feel thy potent strength,
(Benedictus appears in spirit garb.)
What through these years my nearness meant to it.
I felt a shudd'ring fear at thine approach;
(Theodosius appears.)
I feel thy near approach: thou must appear.
(Lucifer and Ahriman appear.)
And into earth's free realms thou hast escaped.
Midst earth's confusion thou didst seek to prove
And thou hast found again the light of earth.
The solid earth do I make hard and fast:
Appeareth to thee now in spirit-light.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Portal of Initiation: Scene 11
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and Strader appear as in Scene 4.
But not the power to still that yearning voice,
Which strives for truth in every human heart.
With sense-appearance to delight their souls.
And didst not strive to see it clear and bold
To make Maria's soul-light on the earth
So long as in my heart the warmth of love
To give my light unto men's souls on earth.
From me a learning streams that shall bear fruit.
This learning shall be wedded to the light,
And he will win the strength to search and know
I cannot cast all doubts from out my heart;
From out thine heart a glow of light spreads forth;
And I can hear the words, which do proceed

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Editorial Summary of the Scenes
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Same period. Keane has discovered that Thomas and his sweetheart are the children of the First Preceptor and informs the First Preceptor of the fact. The scene closes with a discussion on evolution, and the inspired warning of the Second Master of Ceremonies.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Editorial Summary of the Scenes
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Same period. Keane has discovered that Thomas and his sweetheart are the children of the First Preceptor and informs the First Preceptor of the fact. The scene closes with a discussion on evolution, and the inspired warning of the Second Master of Ceremonies.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Beings and Persons Represented
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experiences of the characters appearing in this ‘Soul's
occur several years later.
blossom colour. He spears in the background about nine feet above
the whole ire of his appearance in this scene.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 1
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Each phrase goes home destructive to my heart —
And should a god this very hour appear
Not torture me with more appalling fears
Yet do I clearly see that I myself,
I know henceforth that I must search and seek
Since I have learned I cannot win repose
But now, when I would search the fount of life
My thought appears as some blunt instrument;
To form a clear thought-image from the words of
Benedictus, though his earnest speech
Fear and misgiving have beset my soul.
Deep down within thine heart;
I learned that thou didst wish to speak with me,
Bears in my language quite another name —
Much had I sought and thought in earlier days
Creative and destructive, I have learned
Like some elixir they revived my heart.
And words of import dark I seemed to hear
They are not fruitage of mine own research;
As thou dost near it with self-consciousness.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 2
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Gloomy forebodings rise within my heart.
All this stands out before me e'en as clear
And yet — deep in my soul I hear a voice
Between my master's utterance and mine ear
What I have spoken, thou hast heard aright:
Still do I hear delusion: so let me
To change the words unto thine ear addressed.
If earth-life's tortuous course alone it were
Thou hast to learn that even one to whom
By earthly ties of such complexity,
But nothing hitherto hath clearly shown
There is at least one lesson I have learned,
Already something is becoming clear
Which up till now lay hidden in my heart.
Doth wear the mask of truth to human minds,
Thus was it granted me to learn the way
Thy path on earth in days long since gone by.
I know at last from my heart's warning call,
I am to-day e'en from the nearest goal.
Had I paid earlier heed unto this truth
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 3
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Thy spirit's visions unto earthly eyes.
That I am drawing nearer to the goal
I learned to live with light, and recognize
Through thee my art hath learned to represent
Which warm my heart, illuminate my sense,
To lofty heights of spirit, far from earth.
And make an artist's work bear fruit and live.
Which lights the picture and inflames the heart.
The magic warmth that streams through human hearts,
Revealed from out the depths of thine own heart.
Display themselves as gods in earliest times.
Hath often led me on to learn unseen.
Out of my pictures to the human heart.
(The three Spirit-Figures of the soul-powers appear with
Their beauty to earth's depths.
In all thy ways on earth
Press on through earthly love
To utmost depths of heart
And rob thee of earth's touch.
That earthly love bears trace

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 4
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A hearty welcome to the friend whose tongue
Thou crossed this threshold. Yet in earlier days
No longer do I plague my weary brain
Which he may see and clearly understand.
We are caught up and wearied, and cast out
The riddles of existence. I have learned
That thou couldst drive the impulse from thy heart
Made clear to me the error of my ways.
Hope disappeared, and left me in despair.
Into my heart, and leave assurance there
Thou spak'st, — if I indeed have heard aright, —
Of repetition of thy life on earth.
What we can learn from nature, and infer
The repetition of our earthly life
That doth not wish to tear itself away
From all research hath found for ages past.
I sought through many a weary wakeful night
Aye! this is often very hard to bear.
For which we search unwearying, and which
Just as one bears the other things in life
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 5
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When thou wast still far off, thy wearied step
When, heavy-hearted and of peace bereft,
When scarce another man came near this house,
The tale is true then which hath reached mine ears,
That thy dear Felix, so reserved of yore,
To many men lending a willing ear
And when my dear good husband has to talk
How oft would Felix earnestly declare
That in the quiet heart enshrined, the soul
Must learn to treasure up the spirit-gifts
Of spirit, to reveal it to an ear
The spirit-voice which speaks within my heart
As earth's existence gradually evolves.
Now are we very near an epoch's close;
I am a man into whose heart must flow,
When I retreat within mine inmost heart
As is his body's sheath to man on earth;
I have admired thee now these many years;
And noble heart, and so the time must come
When thou thyself shalt hear the voice of truth.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 6
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For things might very well come to his ears
On hearing which they'd burn for many a day.
We must make clear to his effrontery,
Aye, very clear indeed, that we no more
Only a short time longer need we bear
I fear such tales betoken mortal sin —
I find their lot is near akin to mine.
And recognized from what I learned therein
This toil endeared me to the brotherhood;
After the shocks which I have had to bear.
I greet thee heartily, most valiant son.
Thou hast come here in search of solitude.
Since, honoured master, I have learned from thee
So sure as in this body beats a heart
From thine own lips I was allowed to learn.
Let me,hear also from thee of thy woe.
Ever I cherished in my heart the wish
I had not heard a good report of him.
He left my dear good mother all alone
And of her fate I never more heard tell.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 7
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Monk and one of the Knights later appears the spirit of Benedictus
who has passed away about fifty years earlier. Then Lucifer and Ahriman.
Into the scope of earth's activities,
Since that sad loss we strive on earth in vain,
And many Brethren dear to us have fallen
To live anew in future days on earth.
The errors and misdeeds of such a heart
The heart of each man in our brotherhood,
It would repeat that motto loud and clear! —
But that indeed they too have learned to hate
Will come again to earth, and then bestow
Then may I feel the master's presence near
And hear his words, as in the life of sense
I often heard them. Never doth he speak
In later days that are to come on earth.
Unto the progress of our earthly aims.
The man who cannot hear with perfect faith
Who bear the form of men this is our rule.
(Noises heard.)
But as my conscience is entirely clear
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 8
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That to Cecilia his whole heart went out.
Yet ever doth it now appear more clear
That to this stranger she hath giv'n her heart.
My heart would have to bear a heavy load
To hear the curses pour from Thomas' lips
Thy words have not yet made it clear to me
But some years later than her mother's death
Dear Keane. Thou hast been ever true to me,
The brotherhood's clear vision, as applied
Came and dwelt near me, I was fain to think
The brotherhood is near its overthrow,
As in this earth-life yet is possible,
To offer penance. But I clearly see,
Although his good heart made him thus believe.
My heart is sore indeed to find that men
Waged in the heart incessantly by powers
A human form appears in front of me
I fain would sink to earth and humbly bow
The wildest anger searing through my heart;
Which moves me to the bottom of my heart.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 9
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Dear mother, I so long to hear the tale
Cecilia often spake of years ago.
So many friends are always glad to hear.
But bear their fruits in later lives on earth.
Deaf ears at present for such things as these;
Was, how to learn of Evil's origin;
‘'Twas but a year ago a man did cleave
Which he could not set clearly down in words,
I know how many things I can make clear
The learned words which clever people use
I nearly fall asleep. But I could spend
And earned an honest living in the mines.
On hearing from what source the sickness came
Than were our fathers. Now they have to learn
He surely hath no good thought in his heart;
How often do we hear a thing called wrong
The weakness of my heart alone allowed
Such visions to appear before mine eyes
With lowly heart submissive I can flee.
(After an interval there appear on the meadow Cecilia and Thomas.)
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 10
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And memory; dread and shuddering shape, appears
Between me and this craving fear there stood
That which had brought this fear to life in me.
I could not think in figures clear and plain;
Men's lives and actions with each detail clear.
Which to my spirit earlier was displayed.
Myself and others clearly recognize;
And Strader wears the visage of the Jew.
The picture fades and disappears from view.
This forest doth appear before my gaze,

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 11
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This long-past earthly life — so too did theirs.
And placed these visions in an earlier age,
Thine own self's knowledge can quite clearly prove.
And as illusion wears the mask of truth
I therefore shall oppose thee without fear.
Have been transferred into an earthly past.
Unlock the door of every earthly age?
Admission into any earthly age.
So hearken well, thou sire of all deceit;
In earthly evolution there are times
Whilst seeking out our former lives on earth.
In their next life on earth such men as these
Women as women often re-appear.
Shorter than usual 'twixt two earthly lives.
He must fall silent when the Light appears
Doth bring full clearness to our spirit-sight.

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 12
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Take warning by Capesius' fate and learn
To change itself to deeds in earthly life.
Before the soul bath learned to master it.
But now I have beheld the past earth life
As just before its present life on earth
Of things that only later can bear fruit.
E'en at the end of all his earthly days
When in earth's primal days his human form

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Probation: Scene 13
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Yet all my hopes must forthwith disappear
For short earth-lives alone, but all in vain;
With power of Faith's clear light,
So powers may bear aloft
But spirit-calls already have been heard
Will shortly find its way to spirit-ears.
To show the meaning of all earthly growth.
Throughout a life of studious research
Learn how a man must, in a single life,
Of many lives of eartly pilgrimage.
So casting fear aside he will admit
Who fears to look on destiny's decrees.
And, heartened by a draught from hope's clear spring
'Twill not be long ere he again appears
(Maria appears.)
She could behold in bygone earthly lives
To set the earth-life free, and for all time
Transformed to earthly action, which shall tend
To bear fruit for the real good of man.
Throughout the evolution of this earth.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Beings and Persons Represented
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of those which appeared before in my life pictures called ‘The
and are supposed to take place about fifteen years later than the
of the Threshold’ the following persons and beings appear:
teacher of a number of people who appear in ‘The Guardian
Louisa Fear-God.
Frederick Clear-Mind.
when he is in the soul, e.g., in scenes 3 and 6, appears
quite young, beardless, and in flimsy blue and white robes; at other
and dark cherry; K. Counsel in cerise; L. Fear-God in brown; Fox

Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 1
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From all Earth's other children separate,
That we at any rate may not appear
So would I counsel you at first to hear
Bears on its face the mark of truest love.
He only in whose heart this light doth shine,
And working thus amidst the things of Earth
Such men do search for roots of spirit-work
Deep in the mother-earth of truth itself,
To speak here freely of the hopes he bears
That sound vainglorious to the general ear,
We see how in man's daily life on earth
I felt myself draw near the bitter thought
To signs, which we have learned to know full well.
Because all men will learn to long for them.
Fate hath made clear to me that I must search
And thus I learned that all that makes man lord
To search in darkness for the way of life.
Of reason and of sense hath found on earth,
Against the light that since Earth's dawn hath streamed
Louisa Fear-God:
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 2
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Bear fruit in all the worlds, where power of man
Thou had'st to part for many years with much
Thou wast in closer touch with one dear friend
She also left thee, for thou had'st to learn
That which men only learn when they are set
Who, through the Spirit's power and earnest strife,
I used to think it so, when first I heard
It was from him alone that I could learn
Which shows itself on Earth as the result
For Ahriman hath clearly shewn to me
Which lent itself to help me in my search;
To learn to know and understand his realm.
All that I have produced in earthly life.
And bear it also in my soul alone,
Makes it far harder for the life of earth,
For now; and later would appear again
I now appear upon your threshold here.
Dear brethren, that which we have just begun,
Astrid, and Luna appear in a cloud of light, and group themselves
The spirit to hear
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 3
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and Maria are present. After a time Lucifer appears, and later on
Who in the kingdom of the Earth erewhile
But, viewed from here, they clearly show themselves
Have woven round about weak men of Earth.
They cannot bear the cold clear light of truth.
If they should learn how all the course of life
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,
But he who hath belonged to realms of Earth
Which bind Earth's life to that of all the worlds.
Must keep his gaze fixed fast upon the Earth,
If he could find no booty on the Earth,
And when the human soul can clearly see
To wear a body round him; which hath yet
The breath of life and keeps its earthly form,
He lives within that frame a life he fears
The body which is proper to Earth-souls
Bears in itself the means to recreate
And on the Earth is called Capesius.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 4
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'Tis seven years to-day since thou becam'st
The loved and dear companion of my life
For long years had I striven earnestly
One day I clearly had to recognize
I also feel a need in mine own heart
At which it stood just seven years ago.
A long life had he spent in deep research
He greatly wished to be allowed to learn
That every doubt might swiftly disappear.
But that my heart was taken captive too
And could no longer live without thee near.
That all the longing dwelling in thy heart
Thy words showed clearly that it was advice
When, seeking help, I showed my heart to thee.
And yet the words that heart from heart unloosed,
Hearts often have to point the way to fate.
And when thy heart pronounced the fateful word
And then flowed on these seven wondrous years.
I learned to feel how e'en mechanic skill
As if it had been prompted, there appeared
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 5
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Later appears the Soul of Theodora. The room is the natural colour
So early from our sight been stol'n away.
A few short weeks ago we still could hear
Dear Theodora, she so often spoke
Throughout the last hours of her life on earth
When we were told her life on Earth was o'er.
These many years there hath been granted me
To spend on Earth for many years as yet
She felt herself exposed to fearful thoughts
The strongest feelings which spake clear to her
That she had cause to fear Thomasius.
Could meet in earthly passion in this life.
Within his heart Thomasius doth break
To Lucifer, she learnt unconsciously
That through the Light-bearer, Thomasius
And yet they fill my soul with dread and fear.
Learns ever more and more to exercise
So far as mine own searching of the soul
(Theodora's Soul appears.)
The sacrifice of love in her strong heart;
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 6
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Which souls on earth find hard to understand
The words which serve to test the souls on Earth?
In such a way that thou hast learned so much
With earthly nature to create some work,
And which were written for men's souls on Earth,
Again there come the words which on the Earth
And Benedictus' nearness draws me on.
Incomprehensible to souls on Earth
I'll loose my inmost being from the Earth,
And then when I return to life on Earth
Benedictus (appears
Thou shalt find earthly aims reflect themselves
Doth then the teacher bring the lore of earth
Which he doth use on earth in other ways?
Capesius, thou hast in thine earth-life
And his soul will not hear him spoken of.
From thought's dream-play within thine earthly frame.
Through all the darkness that surrounds the Earth.
The spirit-light from me in earthly life
Which he in spirit learned to tread through me.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 7
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What unchecked wish doth sound within mine ear?
I needs must relegate again to Earth,
Who form destructive passions in their hearts
When earthly darkness no more shelters them.
(Thomasius and Maria appear.)
Thomasius, although upon the Earth
And could not bear to have thee near to him.
When he felt near thee, and thus oft did see
Worlds which, he thought, made clear the origin
That which directed both his hand and heart
He learned to know the power of this same blood;
Gave him clear vision, and revealed to him
Who was his sire and who his sister dear
In long forgotten ages on the Earth.
The gods desire to draw near to mankind
Believe that I must search and find the soul
Which thou hast won when in thine earthly frame.
Unto her soul, apart from lore of Earth.
Which I myself have won upon the Earth
Go back again from here to life on Earth.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 8
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everywhere; they appear to be crystallized out of the mountain, but
The grain of corn must fall to earth and die
All that in earthly life hath run to waste
Uncanny is the lord who here bears rule;
But when I must full often clearly see
That from this spirit we should hear good things?
has re-appeared):
Of whom, they heard, that it did visit me.
now appear on the scene; they are blindfolded to show their
which are audible in Ahriman's kingdom. Strader, who also appears,
What thou canst learn of wisdom in this place
But here quite clearly all will be revealed
So too, they cannot hear us when we speak.
Louisa Fear-God:
Frederick Clear-Mind:
The noble teaching which now shines so clear
With all my heart would I yet further strive.
And so can I make use for many years
That Strader's work in mankind's life on earth
To a clear view of sense-reality.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 9
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Benedictus wears a white biretta and is in his white robe, but without
From all the wondrous beauty of the earth,
He seeks for hearts, which free creative power
Which through his words doth reach the heart of man.
And now when I may feel that he is near
Which Karma spins in lives of men on earth.
In hearts of men who give themselves in truth
When I had been allowed to hear thy words
The aims which in the progress of the earth
With such intent since first the Earth began
For many years I could find nought but thoughts
What I could learn from Ahriman himself,
Which Ahriman showed forth, drew near to thee,
It showed how in a former life on Earth
Shows itself clearly to the outer sense,
Which shows how on the Earth things come to pass
Since I have learned the sense of number's law,
And offering it to the gods of Earth.
It was through Ahriman thou hadst to learn
(Exeunt Benedictus and Strader. Maria and Thomasius appear
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: Guardian of the Threshold: Scene 10
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Which shines upon our Earth from out the east.
That let me now draw near unto this place.
Shall henceforth only as a bearer serve.
E'en when the bearer needs must know himself
To service in the progress of the Earth
Can in this place draw near with secret tread
Through other things doth Lucifer appear
To souls of men when first the Earth was formed
Nor evil unto spirits who have learned
Towards true love, in progress of the Earth,
As bearer of the light to man's soul-sight
When he, the bearer of the light, sends forth
Build up on this appearance, and rejoice
‘The goal of love for earthly souls — 'tis this
The guiding light of Earth's salvation-path.
Which Karma spins in human lives on Earth.
The signs of our own times have made it clear
Within my heart quite of their own accord —
So also I believe what ye make clear
This time I saw quite clearly I was meant
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Editorial Summary of the Scenes
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Johannes is a prey to delusion and loves to wander in his own dreamland. He is warned by Maria and Benedictus. Capesius, in a moment of clairvoyance gets a glimpse of Johannes' inner mood, and is so alarmed that he decides that there can be no blending of spiritual gifts with earthly things, and he withdraws from Hilary's group and goes to the old mystic Felix. Maria urges Johannes to discriminate between truth and self-delusion which can be done by the study of elemental sprites.The dance of gnomes and sylphs.The Youth of Johannes appears. It is in despair because it is separated from Johannes. Lucifer tries to console it with promises of human wisdom and love of beauty. Theodora offers divine wisdom.
Arguments on plans of action and occult powers, during which Ahriman glides stealthily across the stage to bring dissension and confusion of thought among the speakers, who are ignorant of his presence.Strader's temptations.Felix speaks on mysticism.The appearance in spirit form of Maria and Benedictus to help Strader, and of Ahriman to thwart him. There is a repetition of Strader's part in Scene 2.
The Spirit World.This scene needs careful meditation and some knowledge of the author's system. Attention should be given to the indications of the planetary spheres — Mercury, Venus, Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn — to which in turn we may expand after death. Heed should be paid to the warning given by the Guardian of the Threshold.Lucifer here appears as a beneficent guide; so, too, the Other Philia.
The Spirit World. The same remarks apply. Capesius is struck by the figures of his previous incarnations, as shown in the former plays. The Guardian of the Threshold will allow an even earlier incarnation to appear.Theodora's quotation refers to Scene 9 in ‘The Soul's Probation.’
and 8: The earlier incarnations in Egypt giving the key to the four plays, and showing the origin of development of the different characters.)

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Editorial Summary of the Scenes
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Johannes is a prey to delusion and loves to wander in his own dreamland. He is warned by Maria and Benedictus. Capesius, in a moment of clairvoyance gets a glimpse of Johannes' inner mood, and is so alarmed that he decides that there can be no blending of spiritual gifts with earthly things, and he withdraws from Hilary's group and goes to the old mystic Felix. Maria urges Johannes to discriminate between truth and self-delusion which can be done by the study of elemental sprites.The dance of gnomes and sylphs.The Youth of Johannes appears. It is in despair because it is separated from Johannes. Lucifer tries to console it with promises of human wisdom and love of beauty. Theodora offers divine wisdom.
Arguments on plans of action and occult powers, during which Ahriman glides stealthily across the stage to bring dissension and confusion of thought among the speakers, who are ignorant of his presence.Strader's temptations.Felix speaks on mysticism.The appearance in spirit form of Maria and Benedictus to help Strader, and of Ahriman to thwart him. There is a repetition of Strader's part in Scene 2.
The Spirit World.This scene needs careful meditation and some knowledge of the author's system. Attention should be given to the indications of the planetary spheres — Mercury, Venus, Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn — to which in turn we may expand after death. Heed should be paid to the warning given by the Guardian of the Threshold.Lucifer here appears as a beneficent guide; so, too, the Other Philia.
The Spirit World. The same remarks apply. Capesius is struck by the figures of his previous incarnations, as shown in the former plays. The Guardian of the Threshold will allow an even earlier incarnation to appear.Theodora's quotation refers to Scene 9 in ‘The Soul's Probation.’
and 8: The earlier incarnations in Egypt giving the key to the four plays, and showing the origin of development of the different characters.)

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Persons, Figures, and Events
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at about a year's interval, those delineated in ‘The Guardian
deep spiritual connection of earthly events. In my earlier soul
He is the same individuality who appears in ‘The Soul's
Hilary's Secretary. He appears in ‘The Guardian
of the Threshold’ as Frederick Clear-Mind.
‘The Portal of Initiation.’ He appears in the
Professor Capesius appearing in ‘The Soul's
mysticism. He appears as Joseph Keane in ‘The Soul's
upwards during the years which elapse between ‘The Portal of
Soul's Probation’ he appears as Second Master of Ceremonies
Doctor Strader, the individual appearing in ‘The
certain nature-forces. Her individuality appears in ‘The
Dame Balde who appears in ‘The Soul's Probation’
Maria whose individuality appears in ‘The Soul's
Johannes Thomasius whose individuality appears in ‘The
The Soul of Theodora whose individuality appears in
12). He appears as Ferdinand Fox only in ‘The Guardian of the
Maria also appear as mental experiences, to wit: In the second
Strader. Maria appears thus to Johannes Thomasius in Scene 9.
and Theodora appear in the spirit-realm in the fifth and sixth

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 1
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The earnest care which he was wont to give
An interview and earnest speech with thee.
But also as my dear and trusted friend.
Upon the market of our earthly life
Doth prove most clearly that his worth is great.
Thou fain wouldst banish selfishness on earth
That life hath brought him. Thus should I appear
The cause that I hold dear may fail indeed,
It crumbles into dust and disappears,
And set up as a pattern on this earth.
That earthly deeds are wed to spirit aims;
Myself impelled for many a year to seek
As come they must, back into earthly life.
Their seeing clearly in the world of sense,
In things pertaining to this life on earth.
To stand beside me in my search for truth.
So will their actions make it clear to thee
Acts based upon experience on earth;
More clearly dost thou prove thyself to me,
Drear doth the future stretch before my soul.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 2
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It may behold life's revelation clear.
Only appearance glorified by art.
(Maria appears as a thought of Johannes.)
That chills my earthly feelings —
(Maria disappears from Johannes' vision.)
(Maria again appears before Johannes' vision.)
Who of Johannes speaks as he appears
Long years ago he flooded my soul's depth
(Benedictus appears at Maria's side, equally as a thought
Thy personal sorrow thou must bear through life
My holy earnest vow doth pour out strength,
(Benedictus and Maria disappear.)
He feels Maria's nearness in him too.
Did I not clearly feel within my soul
Wrought as the pictures of his longing heart?
For seldom may the spirit-searcher see
Yet my soul felt. itself quite near to thine.
Near mine — at such a time — it cannot be!
Since all activity in work on earth
If they disturb his duties on the earth.
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 3
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I did not think to hear such words from thee.
To come to us, speaks clearly to our souls.
To be both near to us and yet far off.
With reason search: but when I come to act
And find my way back into life on earth,
When they pursue him into life on earth.
If thou wilt Strader take, dear Hilary,
The others are as near him as himself.
I was awake and could with clearness judge.
Thou speak'st as I have never heard thee speak —
Which I have sought unwearied many years,
A part of cosmic spirit through clear sight.
Because I felt how near I'd drawn to thee
The opposition I can lightly bear
Upon this opposition, — I could bear.
Thou wast far nearer to the mystic mood.
With spirit-sight reposing in the heart: —
I once saw clearly through another's soul;
By my desire for outer deeds on earth.
And kindle there on earth the light that shines
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 4
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And which I still hear speaking from his grave,
E'en if his son hath no more ears for it?
I know that spirit who for ninety years
This mood's strong forces into earthly life; —
I clearly feel, e'en in his random speech,
This speech, my friend, doth strike me to the heart.
I am indebted to some past earth-life?
When one draws near to him, the spirit which
Who in some earlier earth-life had attained
Which by degrees could make their way to earth
Already many hundred years ago,
on a boulder. Johannes is at first alone; afterwards appear
Which years ago was clear as day to me: —
Clear as a picture, in another age.
That in an earth-life of the distant past
Make clear unto souls
The heart's hope, that was first begot by him,
The fruits of earth-lives in the distant past,
(The Spirit of Johannes' youth appears.)
So that when I appear by spirit-law
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 5
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is a globe symbolising the earth. The figures that appear seem to
For then thou bearest to them on thy rays
part is not an aura but he wears a mitre of deep red bordered
with wings; on his right wing a blue shape having the appearance
The earth-star now receives a faded light;
In later earth-life they will come to flower.
There far away, bright being disappears;
Thrown on the realm of spirit by earth's star,
On earth they work, by cosmic reason led,
But on the earth they would fill thee with hate.
orange stars. At this moment on Strader's immediate left appears
I hear a word which sounds and sounds again.
It travels onward in its search for weight
Then thou wilt re-discover it on earth.
Philia are near Strader's soul and stand in the centre of the
I beam forth clear and wondrous life of stars
To beings, that they may make forms therefrom. They to thine earthly
body shall give strength, From knowledge far, but near to heart's
And thus stir up a storm in earthly life.
Since I escaped the clutch of earthly life,
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 6
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(Standing on the left of stage near the middle.)
On earth, that which the soul who stands revealed
The picture of the Jew who heard naught else
Of which thou wast a member once on earth.
‘Dear Keane, thou hast been ever true to me’ —
(Capesius' soul disappears; the Other Philia comes
And flows into the other, who appears
Make strong thy spirit-ear to understand
To strengthen in forthcoming lives on earth
Past thoughts of earth arise in glowing light
I saw it when on earth; it follows here;
What once I heard is now re-echoed here;
(Lucifer appears with the soul of Johannes, who has the
appearance of an angel. His robes rose-coloured with lilac rose-coloured
Which thou didst faithfully display on earth.
And they in earth life will arouse in thee
And so will fashion wings for life on earth.
I follow thee, dear sister of my soul,
For mine own future wanderings on earth.
(Felix Balde's soul disappears slowly, led by Dame
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 7
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appearance. A place of initiation in the far-distant past in this Earth's
To wisdom divine, neglecting earthly cares
Shutting his ear to all but spirit lore?
For earthly cares; his soul is set upon
To me thou bearest wisdom far beyond
His mystic-sense is not that heartfelt urge
Unheeded from his heart, should throw its rays
Have they not learned to know the mystic force
So am I left to bear my cares alone;
Well-nigh unbearable their burden seems

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 8
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He must forever tear himself from me.
Naught doth remain for me in life on earth
How he loth tear himself away from earth,
to be thought of as an earlier in-carnation of Maria; behind the
be thought of as an earlier incarnation of Benedictus; on the other
side the Recorder, an earlier incarnation of Hilary True-to-God;
a little in front of the altar the Keeper of the Seals, an earlier
the Impersonator of the Earth Element, an earlier in-carnation of
Romanus, and with him the Impersonator of the Air Element, an earlier
stands the Hierophant, an earlier incarnation of Capesius; on the
left side of the altar the Impersonator of the Fire Element, an earlier
Element, an earlier incarnation of Torquatus. In front of them Philia,
grouped mystics has become visible. The Keeper of the Temple, an earlier
incarnation of Felix Balde, and the Mystic, an earlier incarnation
of stage. They place him in the inner circle near the altar, and remain
standing near him.
And semblance known by semblance disappears.
Learn, semblance of a semblance, what thou art.
of the Earth Element:
Beneath the weight of earth-life seize upon
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 9
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Draws near, — draws near me clad in spirit-light,
Draws near with mine own self, and as it nears —
(Astrid appears to right.)
With service true back to thine earthly form.
Appeared to me as shining shadow-soul;
The cosmic midnight! — Ere for this earth-life
Mine earthly thoughts concealed from me before
My senses feel earth clearness once again?
Luna appears.)
To be my prop throughout my life on earth.
Yet, when it falls it must a lesson learn.’
Draws nigh with mine own self; and, as it nears,
The group of mystics overcome with fear
(The Guardian of the Threshold appears while the latter
Hear once again within thy spirit-ear
(Benedictus appears.)
And so it wrought in later lives on earth
Which to the spirit-stream of earth foretold
He heard the whispering stream of cosmic life.
That woman, too, who near the temple stayed,
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Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 10
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Thus near the temple spake in ancient times
In earthly life, I should consider it
Make clear unto souls
Thus canst thou learn by looking in thyself
The heart's hope, as it stirs within thy breast,
The fruits of long-past lives upon this earth
Search out the pictured being, which thy sight,
Grows brighter as it nears; — now forms appear; —
(Maria appears as a thought form of Johannes.)
Who felt thee near initiation's shrine?
Johannes, wouldst thou tear thy spirit-shade
The woman near the temple shows it thee
(The Spirit of Johannes' Youth appears.)
At whose side I have now appeared to thee.
My holy earnest vow loth ray out strength
In these clear fields of light me shalt thou find
(While Maria is speaking the last lines, Lucifer appears.)
That leads from realms of Earth
That so there may draw near
Maria's holy earnest vow doth pour

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 11
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Yet it was hard to hear these pictures say:
The spirit, my dear Strader, at this hour
Turns into fear which must be overcome.
Oh! how these words do pierce me to the heart!
Aims will appear in which both thou and they
And we were bearing to their place of work
Maria and Johannes; there appeared

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 12
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The interior of the earth. Enormous crystal
shining through from behind in others. Above are red flames which appear
To tear from out his being utterly
But now he is too near the mystic throng
Appears as nature, is in fact naught else
Yet I shall need some earthly help if I
Earth-knowledge he must leave here at the door.
Which here he learns, since he is honest still;
He drifts about upon the star of Earth;
He would build learned prattle into life;
But if while still on earth his soul can be
That Strader's span of life is nearly run.
By dint of many nights of earnest thought
Who will be more opposed to them on earth
But I, with my clear common sense, shall be
The mystic light on earth doth burn me sore
(Theodora's soul appears.)
He dwells on earth or in the spirit-realms.
He still doth dwell on earth, I stand to lose

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 13
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I must with grief confess to thee, dear friend,
And as the spirit-sight appeared as false,
And so as error it appears to thee
Those who do not fear failure will succeed.
To see what bearing mysticism has
Upon our case, and forthwith there appears
The Will shall ever bear him company
Oft have I heard them; now for the first time
My portion, my dear friend, it is to wait
Then Strader's soul came clearly into view
But soon I also heard him clearly say
And more distinctly doth this fact appear
Who only seeks a mood for many years.’
(Philia appears, perceptible only to Capesius; Felix
That which in earth-life thou canst comprehend.
Already as a man upon the earth,

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 14
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Which by his own dear father was inspired
Yet I decided I would bear this load
That he appears quite sundered from the earth.
In speaking with him it appears as if
And thou shalt learn his judgment of his friends
I enter realms to mysticism near,
The threads of life wears now a serious face. —
Sounds earnest —; how can I its meaning learn?

Title: Four Mystery Plays: The Soul's Awakening: Scene 15
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Soon Benedictus will, I hope, appear
And hear himself the message thou dost bring:
Should issue clear, nor would he e'er forestall
To render earth's last services to him
Learned to admire his loftiness of soul.
A sweet soul, that, except for seven years
The work on earth through which his love had poured.
So must the life of this our time on earth
Thy services to him whilst yet on earth.
There, in his stead, whom I could clearly feel
But thereupon the spirit disappeared.’ —
(Ahriman appears; Benedictus sees him.)
And so he will not cause me fearful pain
But when a spirit-messenger draws near
This he can only do if he appears
(Ahriman disappears.)
So shall they learn to know his many forms,

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