And from that cloud no rain, but, strange to tell, Lions and tigers, wolves and dragons fell, The crocodile and panther of the waste, All that is horrible, misshapen, vast, The writhing serpent and the bird obscene, All things detested that the eye has seen, Or fancy feigned, and still with gathering storm, Fast falls each savage shape, and grisly form. Sudden from forth that phantom train appears, One who than all a ghastlier semblance wears. On Dughdov rushing, in her tender side The direful monster tore an opening wide, And thence the infant Zartusht in his grasp Dragged forth to light — death seemed in every gasp, But on their prey ere yet those jaws could close, Loud threatening shouts as those of men arose. And in that hour of seeming misery While hapless Dughdov strove for aid to cry, "Wail not," her infant said, "for not from these Shill harm approach me or destruction seize.
God is my guardian and protection. He From every evil thing shall keep me free; Then dread not, though you view assembled here, These monsters grim and loathsome forms of fears." Cheered with these words, the mother calms her care, When lo! a hill descends from upper air, And from its aide, beams forth refulgent light, Dispels the clouds and breaks the gloom of night. Then comes a hurrying blast, before whose breadth Fast fly those grim aspects and shapes of death. When nearer came that holy light, was seen An angel form, a youth of heavenly mien.
Fair as the morn, a shepherd youth he seems, And Jamshed's lustrous glory round him beams. In his right hand he holds a dazzling wand, Hell shrinks aghast before the vengeful brand. His left supports the oracles of heaven, The written word for man's instruction given, These when they see, back quail the demon crew, And hid in air, are lost to human view. Three shapes alone of all the monster train, A wolf, a lion, and a pard remain. The youth advancing in their savage gaze, Rears his bright wand and darts its dazzling blaze. Vainly before his steps the fiends retire;
And wrapped in fierce consuming flames expire. The infant Zartusht, rescued from the tomb, Again is sheltered in his mother's womb. Her wound is healed, by mercy from above, And Hell's fierce rage is foiled by heavenly love To Dughdov, then, the heavenly stripling said; — "Arise, nor let thy heart grow faint with dread, Comfort thee, for from thee a child shall spring, On whom shall rest the favour of heaven's king. The world beholds the glad event with joy, And future ages hail the promised boy. A prophet of the truth his pen shall trace To a lost world the mysteries of grace. Glad earth rejoices at his coming feet, The wolf and lamb in peace and union meet. Then let no anxious cares thy breast alarm; Whom God protects is safe from every harm." Thus spake the youth, and vanished from her sight, And with him fled the vision of the night. Dughdov is left alone, and busy thought Recalls the dreams with strange forebodings fraught A neighbouring sage there was, well skilled to read The circling stars and tell the fates decreed. Nor of less worth, to him fair Dughdov speaks Her fears, and pity and instruction seeks. And asks what destiny prepares? and how The sure event of future years to know?
Avicenna on the Cause of Dreams and Their Truth
