Fragmentary drafts for the first, second, fifth, seventh, eighth, and tenth images

STRADER: It is always the same spiritual sluggishness And lack of discernment, that oppose the most beautiful works of man. The man has now learned that through alliances that shut themselves off from the world, much mischief and deceit has been wrought; so he believes, without examination, that he must mistrust what he encounters here. I never belonged to the inner circle, Which wants to unite us here for genuine progress; But I thank it for the most significant turning point in my life.