he
assimilation.

The female demons, the Bruges, the Incubi (Yatus), the Succubi
(Pairika), the Peris of our fairy tales, mingled familiarly with mankind
before the time of the prophet, and contracted with them fruitful
alliances, but Zoroaster broke up their ranks, and prohibited them
from becoming incarnate in any form but that of beasts; their hatred,
however, is still unquenched, and their power will only be effectually
overthrown at the consummation of time. It is a matter of uncertainty
whether the Medes already admitted the possibility of a fresh
revelation, preparing the latest generations of mankind for the advent
of the reign of good. The traditions enshrined in the sacred books
of Iran announce the coming of three prophets, sons of Zoroaster
--Ukhshyatereta, Ukhshyatnemo, and Saoshyant* --who shall bring about
universal salvation.

* The legend ran that they had been conceived in the waters
of the lake Kansu. The name Saoshyant signifies _the useful
one, the saviour_; Ukshyate-reta, _he who malces the good
increase_; Ukshyatnemo, _he who makes prayer increase_.

Saoshyant, assisted by fifteen men and fifteen pure women, who have
already lived on earth, and are awaiting their final destiny in a magic
slumber, shall offer the final sacrifice, the virtue of which shall
bring about the resurrection of the dead. "The sovereign light shall
accompany him and his friends, when he shall revivify the world and
ransom it from old age and death, from corruption and decay, and shall
render it eternally living, eternally growing, and master of itself."
The fatal conflict shall be protracted, but the champions of Saoshyant
shall at length obtain the victory. "Before them shall bow Aeshma of the
blood-stained lance and of ominous renown, and Saoshyant shall strike
down the she-demon of the unholy light, the daughter of darkness.
Akem-mano strikes, but Vohu-mano shall strike him in his turn; the lying
word shall strike, but the word of truth shall strike him in his turn;
Haurvatat and Ameretafc shall strike down hunger and thirst; Haurvatat
and Ameretat shall strike down terrible hunger and terrible thirst."
Angro-mainyus himself shall be paralysed with terror, and shall be
forced to confess the supremacy of good: he shall withdraw into the
depths of hell, whence he shall never again issue forth, and all the
reanimated beings devoted to the Mazdean law shall live an eternity of
peace and contentme