of the pen of the
merciful; well is it with them that drink!

"38: O SON OF SPIRIT! Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix..."

O SON OF SPIRIT! Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix of love
soar into the firmament of holiness. Renounce thyself and, filled with the
spirit of mercy, abide in the realm of celestial sanctity.

"39: O OFFSPRING OF DUST! Be not content with the ease of a passing
day,..."

O OFFSPRING OF DUST! Be not content with the ease of a passing day, and
deprive not thyself of everlasting rest. Barter not the garden of eternal
delight for the dust-heap of a mortal world. Up from thy prison ascend
unto the glorious meads above, and from thy mortal cage wing thy flight
unto the paradise of the Placeless.

"40: O MY SERVANT! Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and..."

O MY SERVANT! Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy
soul from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee
no more.

"41: O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Didst thou behold immortal sovereignty,
thou..."

O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Didst thou behold immortal sovereignty, thou wouldst
strive to pass from this fleeting world. But to conceal the one from thee
and to reveal the other is a mystery which none but the pure in heart can
comprehend.

"42: O MY SERVANT! Purge thy heart from malice and, innocent of..."

O MY SERVANT! Purge thy heart from malice and, innocent of envy, enter the
divine court of holiness.

"43: O MY FRIENDS! Walk ye in the ways of the good pleasure of..."

O MY FRIENDS! Walk ye in the ways of the good pleasure of the Friend, and
know that His pleasure is in the pleasure of His creatures. That is: no
man should enter the house of his friend save at his friend's pleasure,
nor lay hands upon his treasures nor prefer his own will to his friend's,
and in no wise seek an advantage over him. Ponder this, ye that have
insight!

"44: O COMPANION OF MY THRONE! Hear no evil, and see no evil, abase not
thyself,..."

O COMPANION OF MY THRONE! Hear no evil, and see no evil, abase not
thyself, neither sigh and weep. Speak no evil, that thou mayest not hear
it spoken unto thee, and magnify not the faults of others that thine own
faults may not appear great; and wish not the abasement of anyone, that
thine own abasement be not exposed. Live then the days of thy life, that
are less than a fleeting moment, with thy mind stainless,