"If ye be true priests of Ahura Mazda, raise with me the hymn of praise," he said. "Let it be heard in the heavens, and let it echo beyond the spheres!"
Then his voice rose calm and clear above all the others, and lifting up his eyes and hands, he intoned the solemn chant:
"He, who by truth ruleth in purity, abideth according to the will of the Lord."
"The Lord All-Wise is the giver of gifts to men for the works which men in the world shall do in the truth of the Lord."
"He who protecteth the poor giveth the kingdom to God."
"Best of all earthly goods is truth."
"Glory, glory on high for ever to him who is best in heaven, and truest in truth on earth!"
Zoroaster's grand voice rang out, and all the priests sang melodiously together; and upon the place which had been the scene of such frenzy and fury and drunkenness, there descended a peace as holy and calm as the quiet flame that burned without fuel upon the black stone in the midst. One by one, the priests came and fell at Zoroaster's feet; the chief priest first of all.
"Thou art the prophet and priest of the Lord," each said, one after another. "I acknowledge thee to be the chief priest, and I swear to be a true priest with thee."
And last of all, the king, who had stood silently by, came and would have kneeled before Zoroaster. But Zoroaster took his hands, and they embraced.