DESIRE! The learned and the wise have for long years..."

O SON OF DESIRE! The learned and the wise have for long years striven and
failed to attain the presence of the All-Glorious; they have spent their
lives in search of Him, yet did not behold the beauty of His countenance.
Thou without the least effort didst attain thy goal, and without search
hast obtained the object of thy quest. Yet, notwithstanding, thou didst
remain so wrapt in the veil of self, that thine eyes beheld not the beauty
of the Beloved, nor did thy hand touch the hem of His robe. Ye that have
eyes, behold and wonder.

"23: O DWELLERS IN THE CITY OF LOVE! Mortal blasts have beset the
everlasting candle,..."

O DWELLERS IN THE CITY OF LOVE! Mortal blasts have beset the everlasting
candle, and the beauty of the celestial Youth is veiled in the darkness of
dust. The chief of the monarchs of love is wronged by the people of
tyranny and the dove of holiness lies prisoned in the talons of owls. The
dwellers in the pavilion of glory and the celestial concourse bewail and
lament, while ye repose in the realm of negligence, and esteem yourselves
as of the true friends. How vain are your imaginings!

"24: O YE THAT ARE FOOLISH, YET HAVE A NAME TO BE WISE!..."

O YE THAT ARE FOOLISH, YET HAVE A NAME TO BE WISE! Wherefore do ye wear
the guise of shepherds, when inwardly ye have become wolves, intent upon
My flock? Ye are even as the star, which riseth ere the dawn, and which,
though it seem radiant and luminous, leadeth the wayfarers of My city
astray into the paths of perdition.

"25: O YE SEEMING FAIR YET INWARDLY FOUL! Ye are like clear but bitter
water, which to outward..."

O YE SEEMING FAIR YET INWARDLY FOUL! Ye are like clear but bitter water,
which to outward seeming is crystal pure but of which, when tested by the
divine Assayer, not a drop is accepted. Yea, the sun beam falls alike upon
the dust and the mirror, yet differ they in reflection even as doth the
star from the earth: nay, immeasurable is the difference!

"26: O MY FRIEND IN WORD! Ponder awhile. Hast thou ever heard that
friend..."

O MY FRIEND IN WORD! Ponder awhile. Hast thou ever heard that friend and
foe should abide in one heart? Cast out then the stranger, that the Friend
may enter His home.

"27: O SON OF DUST! All that is in heaven and earth I have ordained..."

O SON OF DUST! All that is in heaven and earth I have ordained for thee,
except