drous face of thine.

Write thou a full account of thy condition by every post, for I am most
anxious for news of thee. Let me know if thou shouldst desire anyone from
here to come to thee, that I may send the person along--even Munirih--so
that thou wilt not be homesick.

That thou shouldst spend a few days of peace and rest, is my dearest wish.

We here, God be thanked, are all enjoying the best of health. I have been
better lately, and sleeping well at night. Rest assured.

9: O my dear sister! ...

(13) O my dear sister!

Praise be to God, within the sheltering grace of the Blessed Beauty, here
in the lands of the West a breeze hath blown from over the rose-gardens of
His bestowals, and the hearts of many people have been drawn as by a
magnet to the Abha Realm.

Whatever hath come to pass is from the confirmations of the Beloved; for
otherwise, what merit had we, or what capacity? We are as a helpless babe,
but fed at the breast of heavenly grace. We are no more than weak plants,
but we flourish in the spring rain of His bestowals.

Wherefore, as a thank-offering for these bounties, on a certain day don
thy garb to visit the Shrine, the ka'bih of our heart's desire, turn
thyself toward Him on my behalf, lay down thy head on that sacred
Threshold, and say:

O divine Providence! O Thou forgiving Lord!

Sinner though I be, I have no refuge save Thyself. All praise be Thine,
that in my wanderings over mountains and plains, my toils and troubles on
the seas, Thou hast answered still my cries for help, and confirmed me,
and favoured me, and honoured me with service at Thy Threshold.

To a feeble ant, Thou hast given Solomon's might. Thou hast made of a gnat
a lion in the thicket of Thy Mercy. Thou hast bestowed on a drop the
swelling waves of the sea, Thou hast carried up a mote to the pinnacles of
grace. Whatever was achieved, was made possible through Thee. Otherwise,
what strength did the fragile dust possess, what power did this feeble
being have?

O divine Providence! Do not seize us in our sins, but give us refuge. Do
not look upon our evil ways, but grant forgiveness. Consider not our just
deserts, but open wide Thy door of grace.

Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful! Thou art the Seer, the Knower!

10: O my well-beloved sister, O Most Exalted ...

(14) O my well-beloved sister, O Most Exalted Leaf!

Thou didst leave for Akka to remain but two days or so and then return,
but now tho