The Fourth Metamorphosis

(Response the the passage 'Three Metamorphoses' in Nietzsche's 'Thus Spake Zarathustra'.)

The dog beside the fire dost thou despise,
O Lion, who cannot give up thy claws.
Thou seest in his stooping only shame.
Go; revel in thy rage, and know thyself.

The horse beneath its load dost thou disdain,
O Child, who must follow thine own star.
His saddle and his blinkers mayst thou mock.
Go; follow thy true self, and see naught else.

O mighty ones, ye look but do not see
The courage of the self-dissecting wolf
Who opens his own skin and bares his heart
And whispers, "Only thus will I the good:

Stampede my soul, you thousand thousand wills.

I'll shepherd you across the narrow bridge."