Page:Thus Spake Zarathustra - Alexander Tille - 1896.djvu/392

 358 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, IV

When the swords crossed each other like serpents with red spots, our fathers grew fond of life. The sun of all peace seemed unto them to be weak and luke- warm, and long peace caused them shame.

How they sighed, our fathers, when seeing at the walls, swords glittering but dry as dry ! Like unto them they thirsted for war. For a sword desireth to drink blood and sparkleth with desire."

When thus the kings spake eagerly and gossiped of their fathers' happiness, Zarathustra was seized by no small desire to mock at their eagerness. For appar- ently very peaceful kings they were whom he saw before him, kings with old and refined faces. But he mastered himself. "Up!" he said, "in that direc- tion leadeth the way. There lieth the cave of Zara- thustra. And this day shall have a long evening! But now a cry for help calleth me in haste away from you.

It will honour my cave if kings come to sit and wait in it. But, it is true, ye will have to wait for long.

Heed not ! What matter ! Where doth one to- day learn better to wait than at courts ? And the whole virtue of kings, the whole virtue that is left unto them, is it not called to-day to be able to wait?"

Thus spake Zarathustra.

�� �