466 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, IV
happened, than the dancing of an ass would have been. In short, as Zarathustra's saying goeth, " What matter ! "
��When this came to pass with the ugliest man, Zarathustra stood there like one drunken. His look was dimmed, his tongue stammered, his feet staggered. And who could guess what thoughts then passed over Zarathustra's soul ? But his spirit apparently retreated and fled before him, and was in far distances, and, as it were, " walking like a heavy cloud on a high ridge," as it is written,
"Between two seas, between what is past and what is to come." But by and by, while the higher men held him in their arms, he came back somewhat unto himself, and with his hands hindered the throng of the revering and anxious ones. But he spake not. All at once he swiftly turned his head, for he seemed to hear something. Then he laid his finger on his mouth and said : " Come ! "
And immediately it grew still and home-like round about. But from the depth there rose slowly the sound of a bell. Zarathustra listened unto it, like the higher men. But then, for a second time, he laid his finger on his mouth and said again : " Come ! come ! It is nigJi unto midnight!" And his voice had changed. But not yet did he move from the spot.
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