History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

276 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. — [cuap. v1.

the Parsis again performed a similar ceremony, and we here give a translation of the prayer which was composed for the occasion, as it not only shows the feeling and spirit of the Parsis in their brightest light, but strongly displays their appreciation of the Government under which they live.

“O Almighty God, let Thy shadow always fall wherever the British rule exists. Grant it, O God, success in all its undertakings; vanquish by the aid of Thy powerful hands all its enemies, and grant that its greatness may still rise, and its moral effect be spread over a still greater portion of the world. Receive our humble acknowledgments, O Lord, for having placed us under such a beneficent rule, and we pray to Thee to preserve us under it. Grant, O Heaven, that the Government over our head be actuated in ruling over us with still greater kindness, and its effects be spread still wider. O Almighty Protector, preserve for ever secure our lives and properties, as they now are—and grant that the security may be still more strengthened. Bestow, O Lord, a still more merciful heart to the Queen who reigns over us. We pray to Thee, O Almighty God, to bless her armies with success in the great war in which they are now engaged, and bring to a speedy termination the great strife, by granting victory to those who have gone to shed their blood in the right cause. Grant, O Gracious God, that we may continue