Page:Thus Spake Zarathustra - Alexander Tille - 1896.djvu/394

 360 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, IV

" Whoever thou mayest be," said the trodden one still angrily, "thou tramplest upon me, with thy parable as well as with thy foot !

Behold, am I a dog ? " And thereupon the sitting one got up and drew his naked arm out of the swamp. For previously he had lain on the ground, stretched out, hidden and not recognisable like such as lie in wait for swamp deer.

" But what dost thou ? " cried Zarathustra terrified. For he saw that much blood streamed over the naked arm. " What hath happened unto thee ? Did an evil beast bite thee, thou unhappy one ? "

The bleeding one laughed, still in anger. "What doth that concern thee ? " he said and was about to go his way. " Here am I at home, and in mine own province. Ask me whoever liketh, but I shall scarcely answer a boor."

"Thou art mistaken," said Zarathustra with pity, and held him tight. " Thou art mistaken. Here thou art not at home, but in my kingdom, and there nobody shall suffer any damage.

But heed not, call me as thou choosest, I am he that I must be. But I call myself Zarathustra.

Up ! Up there goeth the way unto Zarathustra's cave. It is not far. Wilt thou not in my home take care of thy wounds ?

Thou hast been ill off, thou unhappy one, in this life. First a beast bit thee, and then a man trod on thee."

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