THIRD PART.
47. XLVII. INVOLUNTARY BLISS. (continued)
But one day will I take them up, and put each by itself alone: that it may
learn lonesomeness and defiance and prudence.
Gnarled and crooked and with flexible hardness shall it then stand by the
sea, a living lighthouse of unconquerable life.
Yonder where the storms rush down into the sea, and the snout of the
mountain drinketh water, shall each on a time have his day and night
watches, for HIS testing and recognition.
Recognised and tested shall each be, to see if he be of my type and
lineage:--if he be master of a long will, silent even when he speaketh, and
giving in such wise that he TAKETH in giving:--
--So that he may one day become my companion, a fellow-creator and fellow-enjoyer
with Zarathustra:--such a one as writeth my will on my tables, for
the fuller perfection of all things.
And for his sake and for those like him, must I perfect MYSELF: therefore
do I now avoid my happiness, and present myself to every misfortune--for MY
final testing and recognition.
And verily, it were time that I went away; and the wanderer's shadow and
the longest tedium and the stillest hour--have all said unto me: "It is
the highest time!"
The word blew to me through the keyhole and said "Come!" The door sprang
subtlely open unto me, and said "Go!"
But I lay enchained to my love for my children: desire spread this snare
for me--the desire for love--that I should become the prey of my children,
and lose myself in them.
Desiring--that is now for me to have lost myself. I POSSESS YOU, MY
CHILDREN! In this possessing shall everything be assurance and nothing
desire.
But brooding lay the sun of my love upon me, in his own juice stewed
Zarathustra,--then did shadows and doubts fly past me.
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