of the kind called 'taj' by
dervishes (but of unusual height and make), round the base of
which was wound a small white turban. The face of him on whom I
gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those
piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority
sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and
face implied an age which the jet-black hair and beard flowing
down in indistinguishable luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to
belie. No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself
before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings
might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!

A mild dignified voice bade me be seated, and then
continued:--"Praise be to God that thou has attained! ... Thou has
come to see a prisoner and an exile.... We desire but the good of
the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a
stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and
banishment. ... That all nations should become one in faith and
all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between
the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion
should cease, and differences of race be annulled--what harm is
there in this? ... Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes,
these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace'
shall come. ... Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this
that which Christ foretold? ... Yet do we see your kings and
rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the
destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to
the happiness of mankind. ... These strifes and this bloodshed and
discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one
family.... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country;
let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind...."

Such, so far as I can recall them, were the words which, besides
many others, I heard from Beha. Let those who read them consider
well with themselves whether such doctrines merit death and bonds,
and whether the world is more likely gain or lose by their
diffusion.--Introduction to A Traveller's Narrative (Episode of the
Bab), pp. xxxix-xl.

Ascension

Thus simply and serenely did Baha'u'llah pass the evening of His life on
earth until, after an attack