nly to win Thy good pleasure and to reveal that which Thou hast
enjoined upon Me through Thy sovereignty.

204 Thou beholdest Me, O My God, as one bewildered in Thy land. Whensoever
I make mention of that which Thou hast enjoined upon Me, Thy creatures
cavil at Me; yet were I to neglect that which Thou hast bidden Me observe,
I would deserve the scourge of Thine anger and would be far removed from
the meadows of Thy nearness. Nay, by Thy glory! I have set My face towards
Thy good pleasure, and turned away from the things whereon Thy servants
have set their affections. I have embraced all that is with Thee, and
forsaken all that might lead Me away from the retreats of Thy nearness and
the heights of Thy glory. I swear by Thy might! With Thy love in My heart
nothing can ever alarm Me, and in the path of Thy good pleasure all the
world's afflictions can in no wise dismay Me. All this, however,
proceedeth from Thy power and Thy might, from Thy bounty and Thy grace,
and is not of Mine own deserving.

205 This is an Epistle, O My God, which I have purposed to send unto the
King. Thou knowest that I have wished of him naught but that he should
show forth justice to Thy servants and extend his favours unto the people
of Thy kingdom. For Myself I have desired only what Thou didst desire, and
through Thy succour I wish for naught save that which Thou wishest. Perish
the soul that seeketh from Thee aught save Thyself! I swear by Thy glory!
Thy good pleasure is my dearest wish, and Thy purpose My highest hope.
Have mercy, O My God, upon this poor creature Who hath clung unto the hem
of Thy riches, and this suppliant soul Who calleth upon Thee, saying,
"Thou art, verily, the Lord of might and glory!" Assist Thou, O My God,
His Majesty the Shah to keep Thy statutes amidst Thy servants and to
manifest Thy justice amongst Thy creatures, that he may treat this people
as he treateth others. Thou art, in truth, the God of power, of glory and
wisdom.

206 By the leave and permission of the King of the Age, this Servant
journeyed from the Seat of Sovereignty(26) to 'Iraq, and dwelt for twelve
years in that land. Throughout the entire course of this period no account
of Our condition was submitted to the court of thy presence, and no
representation ever made to foreign powers. Placing Our whole trust in
God, We resided in that land until there came to 'Iraq a certain
official(27) who, upon his arrival, undertook to harass this poor company