Page:Thus Spake Zarathustra - Alexander Tille - 1896.djvu/483

 AMONG DAUGHTERS OF THE DESERT 449

Like, all-too-like,

Unto the southern fruits mentioned,

Here I lie.

Round about dance and play

Little winged beetles,

And in the same way still smaller,

Still more foolish and wicked

Wishes and fancies.

Round about lie ye,

Ye mute, ye prophetic

Girl-cats,

Dudu and Suleika.

Ye sphinx round me (to stuff

Into one word many feelings.

May God forgive me

This sin against grammar!).

Here sit I smelling the best air,

Verily, the air of paradise,

Bright, light air with golden stripes,

As good air as ever fell down

From the moon,

Be it by chance,

Or befell it by wantonness ?

As the old poets tell the tale.

But I, a doubter, doubt it.

The reason is : I come

From Europe

Which is more sceptical than any little wife.

2G

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