Page:Thus Spake Zarathustra - Alexander Tille - 1896.djvu/37

 ZARATHUSTRA'S INTRODUCTORY SPEECH 3 Changed is Zarathustra, a child Zarathustra became, awake is Zarathustra: what art thou going to do among those who sleep?

As in the sea thou livedst in loneliness, and wert borne by the sea. Alas ! art thou now going to walk on the land

Alas, art thou going to drag thy body thyself?"

Zarathustra answered : "I love men."

"Why," said the saint, "did I go to the forest and desert? Was it not because I loved men greatly over-much?

Now I love God : men I love not. Man is a thing far too imperfect for me. Love of men would kill me."

Zarathustra answered : "What did I say of love ! I am bringing gifts to men."

"Do not give them anything," said the saint. "Rather take something from them and bear their burden along with them that will serve them best: if it only serve thyself well !

And if thou art going to give them aught, give them no more than an alms, and let them beg even for that."

"No," said Zarathustra, "I do not give alms. I am not poor enough for that."

The saint laughed at Zarathustra and spake thus : "Then see to it that they accept thy treasures ! They are suspicious of hermits and do not believe that we are coming in order to give.