Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 17
“Youareaman-slaveofTiberius,ahoundofRome,”sheflamed,“butyouoweRomenothing,foryouarenotaRoman.YouyellowgiantsofthenortharenotRomans.”
“TheRomansaretheelderbrothersofusyounglingsofthenorth,”Ianswered.“Also,IweartheharnessandIeatthebreadofRome.”GentlyIadded:“Butwhyallthisfussandfuryforamereman’slife?Allmenmustdie.Simpleandeasyitistodie.To-day,orahundredyears,itlittlematters.Sureweare,allofus,ofthesameeventintheend.”
Quickshewas,andalivewithpassiontosaveasshethrilledwithinmyarms.
“Youdonotunderstand,Lodbrog.Thisisnomereman.Itellyouthisisamanbeyondmen—alivingGod,notofmen,butovermen.”
IheldhercloselyandknewthatIwasrenouncingallthesweetwomanofherasIsaid:
“Wearemanandwoman,youandI.Ourlifeisofthisworld.Oftheseotherworldsisallamadness.Letthesemaddreamersgothewayoftheirdreaming.Denythemnotwhattheydesireaboveallthings,abovemeatandwine,abovesongandbattle,evenaboveloveofwoman.Denythemnottheirhearts’desiresthatdrawthemacrossthedarkofthegravetotheirdreamsoflivesbeyondthisworld.Letthempass.
