356 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, IV
When the kings heard this, they beat their breast and said as with one mouth : " We have been recog- nised !
With the sword of this word thou severedst the thickest darkness of our hearts. Thou hast discovered our need. For, behold ! we are on the way, in order to find the higher man
The man who is higher than we are, although we be kings. Unto him we lead this ass. For the highest man shall also be the highest lord on earth.
There is no harder lot in all human fate, than when the powerful of the earth are not at the same time the first men. There everything becometh false and warped and monstrous.
And when, worst of all, they are the last men, and more beast than man there the price of the mob riseth and riseth, and at last the virtue of the mob saith : ' Behold, I alone am virtue ! ' '
"What did I hear just now?" answered Zarathustra. " What wisdom with kings ! I am ravished, and, verily, this very moment I feel the desire to make a stanza.
Even if it should become a stanza that is not good for everybody's ears. Long ago I have unlearnt to pay heed unto long ears. Up ! Up ! "
(Here it came to pass that the ass also could make a remark. And it said distinctly and maliciously Hee-haw !)
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