hands of the robber. By them ye rule, by their means ye subsist, by their
aid ye conquer. Yet, how disdainfully ye look upon them! How strange, how
very strange!

180 Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this,
the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree better your own
condition and that of your dependents.

181 O rulers of the earth! Be reconciled among yourselves, that ye may
need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and
dominions. Beware lest ye disregard the counsel of the All-Knowing, the
Faithful.

182 Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of
discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of
them that comprehend. Should any one among you take up arms against
another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice.
Thus did We exhort you in the Tablet sent down aforetime,(22) and We
admonish you once again to follow that which hath been revealed by Him Who
is the Almighty, the All-Wise. Should anyone seek refuge with you, extend
unto him your protection and betray him not. Thus doth the Pen of the Most
High counsel you, as bidden by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the
All-Informed.

183 Beware lest ye act as did the King of Islam(23) when We came unto him
at his bidding. His ministers pronounced judgement against Us with such
injustice that all creation lamented and the hearts of those who are nigh
unto God were consumed. The winds of self and passion move them as they
will, and We found them all bereft of constancy. They are, indeed, of
those that are far astray.

184 Rein in Thy pen, O Pen of the Ancient of Days, and leave them to
themselves, for they are immersed in their idle fancies. Make Thou mention
of the Queen, that she may turn with a pure heart unto the scene of
transcendent glory, may withhold not her eyes from gazing toward her Lord,
the Supreme Ordainer, and may become acquainted with that which hath been
revealed in the Books and Tablets by the Creator of all mankind, He
through Whom the sun hath been darkened and the moon eclipsed, and through
Whom the Call hath been raised betwixt earth and heaven.

185 Turn thou unto God and say: O my Sovereign Lord! I am but a vassal of
Thine, and Thou art, in truth, the King of kings. I have lifted my
suppliant hands unto the heaven of Thy grace and Thy bounties. Send down,
then, upon me from the clouds of Thy generosity that which