Chapter XIII: Part I

Outside the Egyptian temple. An Egyptian woman is seen crouching by the wall. She is a previous incarnation of Johannes Thomasius.

EGYPTIAN WOMAN:

This is the hour in which he dedicates
Himself to serve the ancient holy laws
Of sacred wisdom,--and in doing this
He must forever tear himself from me.
From out those heights of light to which his soul
Progresses there must flash into mine own
The ray of death. When I am torn from him--
Naught doth remain for me in life on earth
But mourning--resignation--sorrow--death.

(Clinging to the wall.)

Yet though in this hour he abandons me
I, none the less, will stay close to the spot
Where he unto the spirit gives himself.
And if mine eyes are not allowed to see
How he doth tear himself away from earth,
Perchance 'twill be now granted in a dream
To linger disembodied by his side.