Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/167

Rh as another artifice to throw dust into the eyes of theof their [sic] Mohammedan persecutors. Or it may be that "Adi" was a supposed incarnation of Yezd, who appeared on earth only for a season. This opinion receives support from the fact that several buildings are erected near his shrine to commemorate the places on which he is said to have sat.

The above hypothesis receives support from the subjoined translation of an Arabic poem, which I obtained after much trouble from the Sheikh already alluded to.

My wisdom knoweth the truth of things, And my truth hath mingled with me. My real descent is from myself; I have not known evil to be with me. All creation is under my control; Through me are the habitable parts and the deserts, And every created thing is subservient to me. And I am he that decreeth and causeth existence. I am he that spake the true word, And I am he that dispenseth power, and I am the ruler of the earth. And I am he that guideth mankind to worship my majesty. And they came unto me and kissed my feet. And I am he that pervadeth the highest heavens; And I am he that cried in the wilderness; And I am the Sheikh, the one, the only one; And I am he that by myself revealeth things; And I am he to whom the book of glad tidings came down From my Lord who cleaveth the mountains. And I am he to whom all men came, Obedient to me they kissed my feet. I am the mouth, the moisture of whose spittle Is as honey, wherewith I constitute my confidents. And by his light he hath lighted the lamp of the morning. I guide him that seeketh my direction. And I am he that placed Adam in my paradise.