lspring of guidance lead Thou the ones who have wandered far
astray, and grant to those who have missed the path a haven within the
precincts of Thy might. Lift Thou to these parched lips the bounteous and
soft-flowing waters of heaven, raise up these dead to everlasting life.
Grant Thou to the blind eyes that will see. Make Thou the deaf to hear,
the dumb to speak. Set Thou the dispirited ablaze, make Thou the heedless
mindful, warn Thou the proud, awaken those who sleep.

Thou art the Mighty, Thou art the Bestower, Thou art the Loving. Verily
Thou art the Beneficent, the Most Exalted.

O ye loved ones of God, ye helpers of this evanescent Servant! When the
Sun of Reality shed its endless bounties from the Dawning-Point of all
desires, and this world of being was lit with that sacred light from pole
to pole, with such intensity did it cast down its rays that it blotted out
the Stygian dark forever, whereupon this earth of dust became the envy of
the spheres of heaven, and this lowly place took on the state and panoply
of the supernal realm. The gentle breeze of holiness blew over it,
scattering abroad sweet savours; the spring winds of heaven passed by it,
and over it, from the Source of all bestowals, were wafted fruitful airs
that carried boundless grace. Then the bright dawn rose, and there came
tidings of great joy. The divine springtime was here, pitching its tents
in this contingent world, so that all creation leapt and danced. The
withered earth brought forth immortal blooms, the dead dust woke to
everlasting life. Then came forth flowers of mystic learning, and,
bespeaking the knowledge of God, fresh greenery from the ground. The
contingent world displayed God's bounteous gifts, the visible world
reflecting the glories of realms that were hidden from sight. God's
summons was proclaimed, the table of the Eternal Covenant was readied, the
cup of the Testament was passed from hand to hand, the universal
invitation was sent forth. Then some among the people were set afire with
the wine of heaven, and some were left without a share of this greatest of
bestowals. The sight and insight of some were illumined by the light of
grace, and there were some who, hearing the anthems of unity, leapt for
joy. There were birds that began to carol in the gardens of holiness,
there were nightingales in the branches of the rose tree of heaven that
raised their plaintive cries. Then were decked and adorned both the
Kingdom on high a