Page:Thus Spake Zarathustra - Alexander Tille - 1896.djvu/65

 OF THE CHAIRS OF VIRTUE 3!

A small society is more welcome unto me than an evil one : it must however come and go at the proper time. That accordeth well with good sleep.

I am also well pleased with the poor in spirit : they promote sleep. Blessed are they, especially if one always yieldeth to them.

Thus the day passeth for the virtuous. When night cometh I take good care not to call sleep ! It liketh not to be called : sleep which is the master of virtues !

But I think of what I did and thought during the day. Ruminating I ask myself, patient as a cow : what were thy ten resignations ?

And what were thy ten reconciliations, and the ten truths and the ten laughters with which my heart pleased itself ?

Whilst I am meditating thus and rocked by forty thoughts, suddenly sleep seizeth me : the uncalled one, the master of virtues.

Sleep knocking at mine eye it getteth heavy. Sleep touching my mouth it remaineth open.

Verily, on soft soles it approacheth me, the dearest of thieves, stealing my thoughts : stupid I stand like this chair.

But I do not stand long then : there I lie

Having heard the wise man speak thus, Zarathustra laughed in his heart : for a light had arisen for him in the meantime. And thus he spake unto his heart :

�� �