the
presence of the One Whom Thou didst promise in Thy Book and in Thy
Tablets.

Thou seest me then, O my God, with my face turned towards Thee, cleaving
steadfastly to the cord of Thy gracious providence and generosity, and
clinging to the hem of Thy tender mercies and bountiful favors. Destroy
not, I implore Thee, my hopes of attaining unto that which Thou didst
ordain for Thy servants who have turned towards the precincts of Thy court
and the sanctuary of Thy presence, and have observed the fast for love of
Thee. I confess, O my God, that whatever proceedeth from me is wholly
unworthy of Thy sovereignty and falleth short of Thy majesty. And yet I
beseech Thee by Thy Name through which Thou hast revealed Thy Self, in the
glory of Thy most excellent titles, unto all created things, in this
Revelation whereby Thou hast, through Thy most resplendent Name,
manifested Thy beauty, to give me to drink of the wine of Thy mercy and of
the pure beverage of Thy favor, which have streamed forth from the right
hand of Thy will, that I may so fix my gaze upon Thee and be so detached
from all else but Thee, that the world and all that hath been created
therein may appear before me as a fleeting day which Thou hast not deigned
to create.

I moreover entreat Thee, O my God, to rain down, from the heaven of Thy
will and the clouds of Thy mercy, that which will cleanse us from the
noisome savors of our transgressions, O Thou Who hast called Thyself the
God of Mercy! Thou art, verily, the Most Powerful, the All-Glorious, the
Beneficent.

Cast not away, O my Lord, him that hath turned towards Thee, nor suffer
him who hath drawn nigh unto Thee to be removed far from Thy court. Dash
not the hopes of the suppliant who hath longingly stretched out his hands
to seek Thy grace and favors, and deprive not Thy sincere servants of the
wonders of Thy tender mercies and loving-kindness. Forgiving and Most
Bountiful art Thou, O my Lord! Power hast Thou to do what Thou pleasest.
All else but Thee are impotent before the revelations of Thy might, are as
lost in the face of the evidences of Thy wealth, are as nothing when
compared with the manifestations of Thy transcendent sovereignty, and are
destitute of all strength when face to face with the signs and tokens of
Thy power. What refuge is there beside Thee, O my Lord, to which I can
flee, and where is there a haven to which I can hasten? Nay, the power of
Thy might beareth me witness! No protector