212 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, II
Then it was again said unto me like a whispering : ' The stillest words bring the storm. Thoughts which come on doves' feet rule the world.
O Zarathustra, thou shalt go as a shadow of what must come. Thus thou wilt command and go in the front commanding.'
And I answered: 'I am ashamed.'
Then it was again said unto me without a voice : 'Thou hast still to become a child and without sense of shame.
The pride of youth is still upon thee ; very late hast thou become young. And whoever wanteth to become a child must overcome even his youth.'
And I meditated a long while and trembled. But at last I said what I had said first : 'I wish not.'
Then a laughter brake out around me. Alas, how the laughter tore mine intestines and ripped up my heart !
And it was said unto me for the last time : ' O Zarathustra, thy fruits are ripe, but thou art not ripe for thy fruits !
Thus thou must again go into solitude ; for thou shalt become mellow.'
And again there was laughter ; and then it fled. Then there was stillness around me, as it were, with a twofold stillness. But I lay on the ground, and the sweat flowed down my limbs.
Now ye have heard all, and why I have to return
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