THE AWAKENING 457
But the ass cried Hee-haw!
"Without splendour he goeth through the world. Gray is the colour of his body, in which he wrappeth his virtue. If he hath spirit, he hideth it. But every one believeth in his long ears."
But the ass cried Hee-haw !
"What hidden wisdom is in his wearing long ears and ever saying only ' Hee-haw ' and never ' Nay ' ! Hath he not created the world after his own image, i.e., as stupid as possible?" ^ But the ass cried Hee-haw!
"Thou goest straight and crooked ways. It con- cern eth thee little what exactly appeareth straight or crooked unto us men. Beyond good and evil is thy kingdom. It is thine innocence not to know what innocence is."
But the ass cried Hee-haw !
"Behold, how thou pushest away none from thee, neither beggars nor kings. The little children thou lettest come unto thee, and when the bad boys allure thee, thou simply sayest ' Hee-haw.' "
But the ass cried Hee-haw !
"Thou lovest she-asses and fresh figs, thou art no despiser of food. A thistle tickleth thy heart, when thou chancest to be hungry. Therein lieth a God's wisdom."
But the ass cried Hee-haw!
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