Macmillan

^but
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL
233
write and paint, we mandarins with Qiinese brush, we
immortalisers
of things which lend themselves to writing, what
are we alone capable of painting? Alas, only that which is
just about to fade and begins to lose its odour! Alas, only
Alas, only birds strayed and fatigued by flight,
which
now let themselves be captured with the hand
"
with
our
hand! We immortalise what cannot live and fly
much longer, things only which
are
exhausted and mellow!
And it is only for
your afternoon, you, my
written
and
painted thoughts, for which alone I have colours, many
exhausted and departing storms and belated yellow sentiments!
colours,
perhaps, many variegated softenings, and fifty yellows
and browns and
greens
and reds;
"
nobody will divine
thereby
how
ye
looked
in
your morning, you
sudden
sparks
and marvels of
thoughts !
my solitude, you, my old, beloved
"
evil