BABYLON AND PERSIA

THE GATHAS.lOItution of agriculture Asha (Righteousness andOrder, personified asone of the Amesha-Spentas)replies that, though no really benevolent man willbe hard on his cattle, yet people in general don'talways know in what manner they should behave totheir inferiors, and adds :" Mazda knows best thedeeds of daevas and men, both those that have beenand those that are to be.He, the Lord (Ahura),has to decide ; as he wills, so shall it be." Mazdathen .speaks, and his decision brings scant comfortto the Guardian of the Flocks, for he informs himthat there is no .specialprotector for cattle, sincethey have been created for the use of the tiller andherdsman, whom, by his own Mazda's and Asha'sordinance, they are to supply with meat and drink,by giving him their milk and their flesh.Geush-Urvan, in despair, then asks :" Plast thou no oneamong men who would take kindly care of us?"Whereupon Mazda answersof the jDoetical aj^ologue :and here lies the gi.st" I know on earth onlyone man who has heard our decrees ZarathushtraSpitama. lie will announce from memory my andAsha's teachings, when I endow him with sweetnessof speech." Then the Spirit of the Flocks moanedaloud : "Woe is me ! and is the powerless word ofan unwarlike man all I am to look to, when I wishedfor the protection of. a mighty hero?When will heever come, he who is to' lend my cattle efficienthelp? . . . But I know that thou, O Mazda,knowest best. Where else should be justice, benev¬olence, and power ! . . . And thus the Spiritof the Flocks departs, more disappointed than con-