Zoroaster

“ Some attempt at a metrical version is needed to give an idea of the original rhythm hf the pieces, but of course only an approximate idea, none other can be obtained.
I have certainly toned up the strings, and used both addition and omission, as is universal in such reproductions. It is impossible, or unprofitable, to represent metrical matter in a tongue foreign to its original without this. And without some attempt at the representation of the metrial matter we lose even more than aesthetic effect: some reproduction of the rhythm is needed to express the emotional sentiment as well ”

“ The intelligent reader will not need to be reminded that in dealing with subjects of this kind an author makes an especial effort to re-cast former presentations in the light of fresh discoveries. It should never be forgotten that no changes in wording can alter that which we most value in these hymns, which is their moral and religious-philosophical tone ”

“ L. H. M. ↑ See the Five Zarathushtrian Gâthas.
It is easy enough with absolutely no (enlightened) public to criticise us, to offer tentative translation where others have preceded us; but to afford really exhaustive and not fictitious results on matters never yet even properly edited is quite another thing. ”

“ But in the meantime, a free rendering as a temporary help is an absolute necessity if we are ever to get them (more popularly) read. Professors and leading scholars ex- pressed themselves as pleased with my translations in the XXXIst volume of the Sacred Books of the East (1887) ; others however found them too roughly literal. (One of my pupils used to say that he could read the Gathas using them almost without a lexicon) . But the penalty was a somewhat uncouth diction. I cannot of course attempt to remedy that detect here; that edition was the only literary one which I could offer then ”