If it be thy pleasure, I will speak; but if not, I will come at another season." "Sit upon my right hand, Zoroaster, and tell me all that thou hast to tell.

Art thou not my beloved son, whom the Lord hath given me to comfort mine old age ?" "I am thy servant and the servant of thine house, my father," answered Zoroaster, seating himself upon a carved chair at a little distance from the prophet.
"Speak, my son,--what tidings hast thou ?" "There is a messenger come in haste from Shushan, bearing tidings and letters.

The seven princes have slain Smerdis in his house, and have chosen Darius the son of Gushtasp to be king." "Praise be to the Lord who hath chosen a just man!" exclaimed the prophet devoutly.

"So may good come out of evil, and salvation by the shedding of blood." "Even so, my master," answered Zoroaster.

"It is also written that Darius, may he live for ever, will establish himself very surely upon the throne of the Medes and Persians.