The Wail of the Kine. The Call of Zarathustra. His Prayer for Aid.

1 Unto Thee, O God, the Wise Lord (Ahura Mazda), the Soul of the Kine, our sacred herds and folk, cried aloud: For whom didst Thou create me, and who fashioned me? On me comes the assault of wrath, and of violent power, the blow of desolation, audacious insolence, and thievish might. None other pasture-giver have I than Thee; therefore do Thou teach me good tillage for the fields, my only hope of welfare!

God speaks.

2 Upon this the Creator of the Kine, the holy herds, asked the angel of Righteousness: How was her guardian for the Kine appointed, when, as having power over all her fate, she was made? In what manner was there secured for her, together with pasture, a cattle-chief who was both skilled and likewise energetic? Whom didst thou select as her life's master, who might hurl back the fury of the wicked?

The angel of Righteousness answers.

3 To Him the angel of Righteousness answered, in his holiness: Great was our perplexity. A chieftain who was capable of smiting back their fury, and who was himself without hatred, was not to be found by us. Among such matters, those things are not to be known by beings such as we which are the influences that move the lofty lights, revealing the favour and the will of God. Of all beings He is the Mightiest, to whom those who have performed their deeds approach with invocations. He has no need to ask!

Zarathustra intervenes.

4 The Great Creator is Himself most mindful of the uttered indications which have been fulfilled beforehand hitherto in the deeds of devils and of men, and of those which shall be fulfilled by them hereafter. He, the Wise Lord, is the discerning arbiter; so shall it be to us as He shall will!

5 Therefore it is that we both, my soul and the soul of the mother Kine, are making our supplications for the two worlds to the Wise Lord, with hands stretched out in entreaty, when we pray to the Great Creator with questions in our doubt; and He will answer. Not for the righteous liver, not for the thrifty tiller of the earth, shall there be destruction together with the wicked!

God speaks.

6 Upon this the Lord, the Great Creator, He who understands the mysterious grace by His insight, spoke thus: Not in this manner is a spiritual master found for us, nor a chieftain moved by Righteousness and appointed in its spirit; therefore Thee have I named as such a head to the diligent tiller of the ground!

The angels speak.

7 The angels said: Thou hast created the inspired Word of reason, a sacred word of abundance for the offering, Righteousness consenting with Thee in Thy deed. Food Thou hast prepared for the Kine and for the eaters, Thou the one bountiful with Thy saving doctrine; but whom hast Thou, endowed with the Good Mind, who may give forth those doctrines by word of mouth to mortals?

God speaks.

8 This man is found for Me here who alone has

hearkened to our enunciations, Zarathustra Spitama! Our mighty and completed acts of grace he desires to enounce for us, for Me, the Great Creator, and for the cause of Righteousness; wherefore I will give him the good abode and authoritative place of one who speaks!

The Soul of the Kine.

9 Upon this the Soul of the Kine lamented: Woe is unto me, since I have obtained for myself, in my wounding, a lord who is powerless to effect his wish, the mere voice of a feeble and pusillanimous man, whereas I desire one who is lord over his will, and able, as one of royal state, to bring what he desires to effect.

The angels speak.

Aye, when shall he ever appear who may bring her help, strong-handed?

Zarathustra.

10 Do Thou, O Wise Lord, in Thy Righteousness, grant gladness unto these our disciples, and the sovereign Kingdom, such as is established in Thy Good Mind, by which one bestows upon them the peaceful amenities of home and quiet happiness, as against the fearful ravages which they suffer; for of these, O Great Creator, I ever thought Thee the first possessor!

11 And when shall Thy Righteousness, Thy Good Mind, and Thy Sovereign Power come hastening to me, to give me strength for my task and mission, O Great Creator, the Living Lord! For without this I cannot advance or undertake my toil. Do Thou now therefore assign unto us Thy aid, and in abundance, for our great cause. May we be partakers of the bountiful grace of these Thy angels, Thy counsellors and servants!