There is an historical tone in the Gāthas, which should be carefully observed. Their doctrines and exhortations concern an actual religious movement, which was taking place at the time of their composition, and that movement was apparently pure and earnest. Their tone is always serious, and nearly all the myths are dropped; even the old Āryan gods, who reappear in the later Avesta, being ignored with a single exception. In the first Gātha, the soul of the kine, as representing the herds of the Īrānian people, raises her voice in lamentation. She asks why and for whom she was made, since afflictions compass her and her life is constantly threatened by the incursions of predatory tribes. She also beseeches the Bountiful Immortals to instruct her as to the benefits of agriculture, and confirm her protectors in the science, as the only remedy for her sufferings. THE WAIL OF THE KINE. “Unto you, O Ahūra and Asha, the soul of the kine cried aloud, ‘For whom did ye create me? And for whom did ye fashion me? On me comes the assault of wrath and of violent power; The blow of desolation and thievish might. None other pasture given have I than you; Therefore do ye teach me good tillage For the fields, mine only hope of welfare.’” Ahūra speaks: “Upon this the Creator of the kine asked of Righteousness, ‘How was thy guardian for the kine appointed by thee, When having power over all her fate ye made her? In what manner did ye secure for her, together with pasture A cattle-chief who was both skilled and energetic? Whom did ye select as her life’s master Who might hurl back the fury of the wicked?’” Asha answers: To him the Divine Righteousness answered: “Great was our perplexity; A chieftain who was capable of smiting back their fury And who was himself without hate Was not to be obtained by us.” Zarathuśtra intercedes: “The Great Creator is himself most mindful Of the uttered indications which have been fulfilled beforehand In the deeds of demon gods. The Ahūra is the discerning arbiter; So shall it be to us as he shall will. Therefore it is that we both, My soul and the soul of the mother kine, Are working our supplications for the two worlds To Ahūra, and he will answer, ‘Not for the righteous— Not for the thrifty tiller of the earth, Shall there be destruction together with the wicked?’” Ahūra speaks: Upon this the Lord spake thus: “Not in this manner is a spiritual master found; Therefore _thee_ have I named For such a head to the tiller of the ground. ... This man is found Who alone has hearkened to our enunciations: Zarathuśtra Spitama I will give him the good abode And authoritative place.”