All that my eagle e'er saw clear, I see and feel in heart to-day (Although my hope was wan and gray) Thy song like arrow pierced mine ear, A balm to touch, a balm to hear, As down from heaven it winged its way. So now for lands of southern fire To happy isles where Grecian nymphs hold sport! Thither now turn the ship's desire-- No ship e'er sped to fairer port. A RIDDLE A riddle here--can you the answer scent? "When man discovers, woman must invent."---- TO FALSE FRIENDS You stole, your eye's not clear to-day. You only stole a thought, sir? nay, Why be so rudely modest, pray? Here, take another handful--stay, Take all I have, you swine--you may Eat till your filth is purged away. FRIEND YORICK Be of good cheer, Friend Yorick! If this thought gives pain, As now it does, I fear, Is it not "God"? And though in error lain, 'Tis but your own dear child, Your flesh and blood, That tortures you and gives you pain, Your little rogue and do-no-good, See if the rod will change its mood! In brief, friend Yorick, leave that drear Philosophy--and let me now Whisper one word as medicine, My own prescription, in your ear, My remedy against such spleen-- "Who loves his God, chastises him, I ween," RESOLUTION I should be wise to suit my mood, Not at the beck of other men: God made as stupid as he could The world--well, let me praise him then. And if I make not straight my track, But, far as may be, wind and bend, That's how the sage begins his tack, And that is how the fool will--end. * * * * * The world stands never still, Night loves the glowing day-- Sweet sounds to ear "I will!" And sweeter still "I may!" THE HALCYONIAN[6] Addressing me most bashfully, A woman to-day said this: "What would you be like in ecstasy, If sober you feel such bliss?" FINALE[6] Laughter is a serious art. I would do it better daily. Did I well to-day or no? Came the spark right from the heart? Little use though head wag gaily, If the heart contain no glow. [Footnote 1: Translated by Francis Bickley.] [Footnote 2: On the title-page of a copy of _Joyful Wisdom,_ dedicated to Herr August Bungal.--TR.] [Footnote 3: Translated by Francis Bickley.] [Footnote 4: Translated by Francis Bickley.] [Footnote 5: Probably written for Peter Gast, Nietzsche's faithful friend, and a musician whose "Southern" music Nietzsche admired.--TR.] [Footnote 6: Translated by Francis Bickley.] DIONYSUS-DITHYRAMBS (1888) These are the songs of Zarathustra which he sang to himself so as to endure his last solitude. OF THE POVERTY OF THE RICHEST