And at last I answered, like one defiant: “Yea, I know it, but I will not speak it!”

Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “Thou wilt not, Zarathustra? Is this true? Conceal thyself not behind thy defiance!”⁠—

And I wept and trembled like a child, and said: “Ah, I would indeed, but how can I do it! Exempt me only from this! It is beyond my power!”

Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What matter about thyself, Zarathustra! Speak thy word, and succumb!”

And I answered: “Ah, is it my word? Who am I ? I await the worthier one; I am not worthy even to succumb by it.”