THE LEECH 363
thing else that is. I loathe all the half ones of the spirit, all the vaporous, hovering, enthusiastic.
Where mine* honesty ceaseth, I am blind and will be blind. But where I intend to know, I will also be honest, i.e., hard, severe, narrow, cruel, inexorable.
Because thou once saidest, O Zarathustra : ' Spirit is the life that cutteth itself into life,' I was led and seduced unto thy doctrine. And, verily, with mine own blood have I increased mine own knowledge ! "
"As appearance teacheth," Zarathustra interrupted hjm. For the blood was still streaming down from the naked arm of the conscientious one. For ten leeches had bit themselves into it.
"O thou strange fellow, how much am I taught by this appearance, i.e., by thyself! And perhaps I might not dare to pour all that into thy strict ears !
Up ! let us part ! But I should like to find thee again. Up there leadeth the way unto my cave. This night thou shalt be my dear guest there !
Fain would I also make amends on thy body, for Zarathustra treading on thee with his feet. On that I meditate. But now a cry for help calleth me in haste away from thee."
Thus spake Zarathustra.
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