ess and
piety were universally acknowledged. Yet, when hostilities broke out with
Russia,(31) he who himself had pronounced the decree of holy war, and who
with blazoned standard had left his native land to rally to the support of
his faith, abandoned, after the inconvenience of a brief encounter, all
the good that he had purposed, and returned whence he had come. Would that
the veil might be lifted, and that which hath ere now remained hidden from
the eyes of men be made manifest!

220 For more than twenty years this people have, day and night, been
subjected to the fury of the Sovereign's wrath, and have been scattered by
the tempestuous gales of his displeasure, each to a different land. How
many the children who have been left fatherless, and how many the fathers
who have lost their sons! How many the mothers who have dared not, out of
fear and dread, to mourn their slaughtered offspring! How numerous those
who, at eventide, were possessed of utmost wealth and affluence, and who,
when morning came, had fallen into utter abasement and destitution! No
land is there whose soil hath not been tinged with their blood, nor reach
of heaven unto which their sighs have not ascended. Throughout the years
the darts of affliction have unceasingly rained down from the clouds of
God's decree, yet despite all these calamities and tribulations, the flame
of divine love hath so blazed in their hearts that even should their
bodies be torn asunder they would not forsake their love of Him Who is the
Best-Beloved of the worlds, but would welcome with heart and soul whatever
might befall them in the path of God.

221 O King! The breezes of the grace of the All-Merciful have transformed
these servants and attracted them unto His Holy Court. "The witness of a
true lover is upon his sleeve." Nevertheless, some of the outwardly
learned have troubled the luminous heart of the King of the Age concerning
these souls who revolve round the Tabernacle of the All-Merciful and who
seek to attain the Sanctuary of true knowledge. Would that the
world-adorning wish of His Majesty might decree that this Servant be
brought face to face with the divines of the age, and produce proofs and
testimonies in the presence of His Majesty the Shah! This Servant is
ready, and taketh hope in God, that such a gathering may be convened in
order that the truth of the matter may be made clear and manifest before
His Majesty the Shah. It is then for thee to command, and I