, one of which is known as Qara-Guhar, and the
other as Salasil. I swear by the Daystar of Justice that for four months
this Wronged One was tormented and chained by one or the other of them.
"My grief exceedeth all the woes to which Jacob gave vent, and all the
afflictions of Job are but a part of My sorrows!"

Likewise, ponder thou upon the martyrdom of Haji Muhammad-Rida in the City
of Love (I_sh_qabad). The tyrants of the earth have subjected that wronged
one to such trials as have caused many foreigners to weep and lament for,
as reported and ascertained, no less than thirty-two wounds were inflicted
upon his blessed body. Yet none of the faithful transgressed My
commandment, nor raised his hand in resistance. Come what might, they
refused to allow their own inclinations to supersede that which the Book
hath decreed, though a considerable number of this people have resided,
and still reside, in that city.

We entreat His Majesty the _Sh_ah,--may God, hallowed and glorified be He,
assist him--himself to ponder upon these things, and to judge with equity
and justice. Although in recent years a number of the faithful have, in
most of the cities of Persia, suffered themselves to be killed rather than
kill, yet the hatred smouldering in certain hearts hath blazed more
fiercely than before. For the victims of oppression to intercede in favor
of their enemies is, in the estimation of rulers, a princely deed. Some
must have certainly heard that this oppressed people have, in that city
(I_sh_qabad), pleaded with the Governor on behalf of their murderers, and
asked for the mitigation of their sentence. Take, then, good heed, ye who
are men of insight!

O _Sh_ay_kh_! These perspicuous verses have been sent down in one of the
Tablets by the Abha Pen: "Hearken, O servant, unto the voice of this
Wronged One, Who hath endured grievous vexations and trials in the path of
God, the Lord of all Names, until such time as He was cast into prison, in
the Land of Ta (Tihran). He summoned men unto the most sublime Paradise,
and yet they seized Him and paraded Him through cities and countries. How
many the nights during which slumber fled from the eyes of My loved ones,
because of their love for Me; and how numerous the days whereon I had to
face the assaults of the peoples against Me! At one time I found Myself on
the heights of mountains; at another in the depths of the prison of Ta
(Tihran), in chains and fetters. By the righteousness