454 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, IV
But what matter ! They are old folk. They re- cover in their way, they laugh in their way. Mine ears have before suffered worse things and have not been angered.
This day is a victory. He yieldeth, he flieth, the spirit of gravity, mine old archfiend ! How well is this day going unto an end, which began so ill and heavily !
And it is going unto an end. Already the evening cometh. It rideth over the sea unto us, the good rider ! How he swingeth, the blessed one, the return- ing one, in his purple saddles !
The sky looketh bright on it, the world lieth deep. O all ye strange ones who came unto me, it is well worth while to live with me ! "
Thus spake Zarathustra. And then again the cry- ing and laughter of the higher men came from the cave. Then he began anew.
"They bite at it. My bait hath its effect. From them also parteth their enemy, the spirit of gravity. Already they learn to laugh at themselves. Hear I aright ?
My men's food hath its effect, my saying of power and vigour ! And, verily, I fed them not with flatu- lent vegetables ! But with warriors' food, with con- querors' food. New desires I awakened.
New hopes are in their arms and legs. Their heart stretcheth itself out. They find new words, soon will their spirit breathe wantonness.
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