though sore-tried in Thy path with such trials as have caused the inmates
of the kingdom of Thy Cause to groan, were not deterred from turning
towards the horizon of Thy Revelation.

Set, then, the seal of Thine unerring protection on their hearts, O my
Lord, lest perchance the remembrance of aught else except Thee enter
therein. Make them able, moreover, to proclaim Thy name amidst Thy
creatures, and supply them with the best of what Thou hast destined for
such of Thy chosen ones as enjoy near access to Thee.

Potent art Thou to do Thy pleasure. Thou truly art the All-Glorious, to
whom all cry for help.

CXXX: "LAUDED BE THY NAME, O LORD MY GOD! THOU SEEST..."

Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! Thou seest how Thy servants have
everywhere been compassed with tribulations, how their adversaries have
all risen up against them and grievously wronged them. Thy glory beareth
me witness! Were all the wicked doers of the earth to band themselves
against us, and to cast us into a fire such as no man hath kindled, they
would be powerless to distract our gaze from the horizon of Thy name, the
Most Exalted, the Most High, and would fail to turn aside our hearts from
the seat of Thine effulgent glory.

I swear by Thy might! The arrows that transfix us in Thy path are the
ornaments of our temples, and the spears which pierce us in our love for
Thee are as silk unto our bodies. By the glory of Thy might! Nothing
whatsoever can beseem Thy servants except what the pen of Thine
irrevocable decree hath traced in this priceless and exalted Tablet.

All praise be to Thy Self at all times and under all conditions. Thou art,
verily, the God of knowledge and wisdom.

CXXXI: "PRAISE BE UNTO THEE, O MY GOD! THOU SEEST HOW..."

Praise be unto Thee, O my God! Thou seest how He Who is Thy Light hath
been shut up in the fortress-town of Akka, and been sore oppressed by
reason of what the hands of the wicked doers have wrought, whose corrupt
desires have kept them back from turning towards Thee, O Thou Who art the
King of all names!

I swear by Thy glory! Tribulations, however woeful, can never hinder me
from remembering Thee or from celebrating Thy praise. Every vexation borne
for love of Thee is a token of Thy mercy unto Thy creatures, and every
ordeal suffered in Thy path is but a gift from Thee bestowed on Thy chosen
ones. I testify that my countenance, which shineth above the Day-Spring of
eternity, hath been irr