and heaven, and
for this there befell Me what hath caused the tears of every man of
understanding to flow. The learning current amongst men I studied not;
their schools I entered not. Ask of the city wherein I dwelt, that thou
mayest be well assured that I am not of them who speak falsely. This is
but a leaf which the winds of the will of thy Lord, the Almighty, the
All-Praised, have stirred. Can it be still when the tempestuous winds are
blowing? Nay, by Him Who is the Lord of all Names and Attributes! They
move it as they list. The evanescent is as nothing before Him Who is the
Ever-Abiding. His all-compelling summons hath reached Me, and caused Me to
speak His praise amidst all people. I was indeed as one dead when His
behest was uttered. The hand of the will of thy Lord, the Compassionate,
the Merciful, transformed Me. Can anyone speak forth of his own accord
that for which all men, both high and low, will protest against him? Nay,
by Him Who taught the Pen the eternal mysteries, save him whom the grace
of the Almighty, the All-Powerful, hath strengthened.

"Look upon this Wronged One, O King, with the eyes of justice; judge thou,
then, with truth concerning what hath befallen Him. Of a verity, God hath
made thee His shadow amongst men, and the sign of His power unto all that
dwell on earth. Judge thou between Us and them that have wronged Us
without proof and without an enlightening Book. They that surround thee
love thee for their own sakes, whereas this Youth loveth thee for thine
own sake, and hath had no desire except to draw thee nigh unto the seat of
grace, and to turn thee toward the right-hand of justice. Thy Lord beareth
witness unto that which I declare.

"O King! Wert thou to incline thine ears unto the shrill voice of the Pen
of Glory and the cooing of the Dove of Eternity, which on the branches of
the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, uttereth praises to God,
the Maker of all Names and the Creator of earth and heaven, thou wouldst
attain unto a station from which thou wouldst behold in the world of being
naught save the effulgence of the Adored One, and wouldst regard thy
sovereignty as the most contemptible of thy possessions, abandoning it to
whosoever might desire it, and setting thy face toward the Horizon aglow
with the light of His countenance. Neither wouldst thou ever be willing to
bear the burden of dominion save for the purpose of helping thy Lord, the
Exalted, the Most High. Then w