Thus sang Zarathustra. But when the dance was over and the maidens had departed, he became sad.

“The sun hath been long set,” said he at last, “the meadow is damp, and from the forest cometh coolness.

“An unknown presence is about me, and gazeth thoughtfully. What! Thou livest still, Zarathustra?

“Why? Wherefore? Whereby? Whither? Where? How? Is it not folly still to live?⁠—

“Ah, my friends; the evening is it which thus interrogateth in me. Forgive me my sadness!

“Evening hath come on: forgive me that evening hath come on!”

Thus sang Zarathustra.