stumble and their finery be folded up, their blades blunted and their feet
made to falter.

269 I know not how long they shall spur on the charger of self and passion
and rove in the wilderness of error and negligence! Shall either the pomp
of the mighty or the wretchedness of the abased endure? Shall he who
reposeth upon the loftiest seat of honour, who hath attained the pinnacle
of might and glory, abide forever? Nay, by My Lord, the All-Merciful! All
on earth shall pass away, and there remaineth alone the face of My Lord,
the All-Glorious, the Most-Bountiful.(59)

270 What armour hath not been pierced by the arrow of destruction, and
what regal brow not divested by the hand of Fate? What fortress hath
withstood the approach of the Messenger of Death? What throne hath not
been shattered to pieces, what palace not reduced to rubble? Could the
people but taste that choice Wine of the mercy of their Lord, the
Almighty, the All-Knowing, which lieth in store for them in the world
beyond, they would assuredly cease their censure, and seek only to win the
good pleasure of this Youth. For now, however, they have hidden Me behind
a veil of darkness, whose fabric they have woven with the hands of idle
fancy and vain imagination. Erelong shall the snow-white hand of God rend
an opening through the darkness of this night and unlock a mighty portal
unto His City. On that Day shall the people enter therein by troops,
uttering what the blamers aforetime exclaimed,(60) that there shall be
made manifest in the end that which appeared in the beginning.

271 Is it their wish to tarry here when already they have one foot in the
stirrup? Look they to return, once they are gone? Nay, by Him Who is the
Lord of Lords! save on the Day of Judgement, the Day whereon the people
shall arise from their graves and be asked of their legacy. Well is it
with him who shall not be weighted down with his burdens on that Day, the
Day whereon the mountains shall pass away and all shall gather to be
questioned in the presence of God, the Most Exalted. Stern, indeed, is He
in punishing!

272 We beseech God to purge the hearts of certain divines from rancour and
enmity, that they may look upon matters with an eye unbeclouded by
contempt. May He raise them up unto so lofty a station that neither the
attractions of the world, nor the allurements of authority, may deflect
them from gazing upon the Supreme Horizon, and that neither worldly
benefits nor carnal