查拉图斯特拉如是说 英文版 Thus Spake Zarathustra
尼采 Friedrich Nietzsche
LXXII. The Supper.
For at this point the soothsayer interrupted the greeting of Zarathustraand his guests: he pressed forward as one who had no time to lose, seizedZarathustra's hand and exclaimed: "But Zarathustra!
One thing is more necessary than the other, so sayest thou thyself: well,one thing is now more necessary UNTO ME than all others.
A word at the right time: didst thou not invite me to TABLE? And here aremany who have made long journeys. Thou dost not mean to feed us merelywith discourses?
Besides, all of you have thought too much about freezing, drowning,suffocating, and other bodily dangers: none of you, however, have thoughtof MY danger, namely, perishing of hunger-"
(Thus spake the soothsayer. When Zarathustra's animals, however, heardthese words, they ran away in terror. For they saw that all they hadbrought home during the day would not be enough to fill the onesoothsayer.)
"Likewise perishing of thirst," continued the soothsayer. "And although Ihear water splashing here like words of wisdom--that is to say, plenteouslyand unweariedly, I--want WINE!
Not every one is a born water-drinker like Zarathustra. Neither doth watersuit weary and withered ones: WE deserve wine--IT alone giveth immediatevigour and improvised health!"
On this occasion, when the soothsayer was longing for wine, it happenedthat the king on the left, the silent one, also found expression for once."WE took care," said he, "about wine, I, along with my brother the king onthe right: we have enough of wine,--a whole ass-load of it. So there isnothing lacking but bread."
"Bread," replied Zarathustra, laughing when he spake, "it is preciselybread that anchorites have not. But man doth not live by bread alone, butalso by the flesh of good lambs, of which I have two:
--THESE shall we slaughter quickly, and cook spicily with sage: it is sothat I like them. And there is also no lack of roots and fruits, goodenough even for the fastidious and dainty,--nor of nuts and other riddlesfor cracking.
Thus will we have a good repast in a little while. But whoever wish to eatwith us must also give a hand to the work, even the kings. For withZarathustra even a king may be a cook."
This proposal appealed to the hearts of all of them, save that thevoluntary beggar objected to the flesh and wine and spices.
"Just hear this glutton Zarathustra!" said he jokingly: "doth one go intocaves and high mountains to make such repasts?
Now indeed do I understand what he once taught us: Blessed be moderatepoverty!' And why he wisheth to do away with beggars."
"Be of good cheer," replied Zarathustra, "as I am. Abide by thy customs,thou excellent one: grind thy corn, drink thy water, praise thy cooking,--if only it make thee glad!
I am a law only for mine own; I am not a law for all. He, however, whobelongeth unto me must be strong of bone and light of foot,--
--Joyous in fight and feast, no sulker, no John o' Dreams, ready for thehardest task as for the feast, healthy and hale.
The best belongeth unto mine and me; and if it be not given us, then do wetake it:--the best food, the purest sky, the strongest thoughts, thefairest women!"--
Thus spake Zarathustra; the king on the right however answered and said:"Strange! Did one ever hear such sensible things out of the mouth of awise man?
And verily, it is the strangest thing in a wise man, if over and above, hebe still sensible, and not an ass."
Thus spake the king on the right and wondered; the ass however, with ill-will, said YE-A to his remark. This however was the beginning of that longrepast which is called "The Supper" in the history-books. At this therewas nothing else spoken of but THE HIGHER MAN.