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beheld in the extreme of poverty and abasement! There is no
land but hath been dyed with their blood and no air whereunto
their groanings have not arisen. And during these few years the
arrows of affliction have rained down without intermission
from the clouds of fate. Yet, notwithstanding all these visitations
and afflictions, the fire of divine love is in such fashion
kindled in their hearts that, were they all to be hewn in pieces,
they would not forswear the love of the Beloved of all the
dwellers upon earth; nay rather with their whole souls do they
yearn and hope for what may befall [them] in the way of God.
"O King! The gales of the mercy of the Merciful One have
converted these servants and drawn them to the region of the
[Divine] Unity--`The witness of the faithful lover is in his
sleeve'--but some of the doctors of Persia have troubled the
most luminous heart of the King of the Age with regard to
those who are admitted into the Sanctuary of the Merciful One
and those who make for the Kaaba of Wisdom. O would that
the world-ordering judgment of the King might decide that
this Servant should meet those doctors, and, in the presence of
His Majesty the King, adduce arguments and proofs! This
Servant is ready, and hopeth of God that such a conference
may be brought about, so that the truth of the matter may
become evident and apparent before His Majesty the King.
And afterwards the decision is in thy hand, and I am ready to
confront the throne of thy sovereignty; then give judgment for
Me or against Me. The Merciful Lord saith in the