2IO THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, II
breath. Never did I hear such stillness round me. Thus my heart was terrified.
Then it was said unto me without a voice : * Thou knowest it, Zarathustra? 1
And I yelled with terror at that whispering, and the blood went out of my face, but I was speechless.
Then it was again said unto me without a voice : 'Thou knowest it, Zarathustra, but thou speakest not!'
And at last I answered like a spiteful one : ' Yea, I know it, but wish not to pronounce it ! '
Then it was again said unto me : ' Thou wishest not, Zarathustra? Is that true? Conceal not thyself behind thy spite ! '
But I wept and trembled like a child and said : ' Alas, I should wish, but how can I do it ! Exempt me from this one thing ! It is beyond my power ! '
Then it was again said unto me without a voice : 'What matter about thyself, Zarathustra! Say thy word and break into pieces ! '
And I answered : ' Alas, is it my word ? Who am I? I wait for a worthier one ; I am not worthy to be broken into pieces even from that word.'
Then it was again said unto me without a voice : ' What matter about thyself ? Thou art not yet hum- ble enough. Humility hath the thickest skin.'
And I answered : ' What hath not been borne by the skin of my humility ! At the foot of my height
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