ves appreciators of merit. There is no need
of representation [on my part]. O God! may the star of your prosperity
ever shine!

MIR AMMAN'S PREFACE.

"_The Name of God, Most Merciful and Gracious_."

The pure God! what an [excellent] Artificer he is! He who, out of a
handful of dust, hath created such a variety of faces and figures
of earth. Notwithstanding the two colours [of men], one white and
one black, yet the same nose and ears, the same hands and feet,
He has given to all. But such variety of features has He formed,
that the form and shape of one [individual] does not agree with the
personal appearance of another. Among millions of created beings,
you may recognise whomsoever you wish. The sky is a bubble in the
ocean of his [eternal] unity; and the earth is as a drop of water
in it; but this is wonderful, that the sea beats its thousands of
billows against it, and yet cannot do it any injury. The tongue of
man is impotent to sound the praise and eulogy of Him who has such
power and might! If it utter any thing, what can it say? It is best
to be silent on a subject concerning which nothing can be said.

VERSE.

"From earth to heaven, He whose work this is,
If I wish to write his praise, then what power have I;
When the prophet himself has said, 'I do not comprehend Him.'
After this, if any one pretends to it, he is a great fool.
Day and night the sun and moon wander through their course, and behold
his works--
Yea, the form of every individual being is a sight of surprise:
He, whose second or equal is not, and never will be;
No such a unique Being, Godhead is every way fit.
But so much I know, that He is the Creator and Nourisher.
In every way his favour and beneficence are upon me."

And blessings on his friend, for whose sake He created the earth and
heavens, and on whom He bestowed the dignity of prophet.

VERSE.

"The pure body of _Mustafa_ is an emanation of Divine light,
For which reason, it is well known that his body threw no shadow. [8]
Where is my capacity, that I should sufficiently speak his praise;
Only with men of eloquence this is an established rule." [9]

And blessings and salvation be on his posterity, who are the twelve
_Imams_. [10]

VERSE.

"The praise of God and the eulogy of the prophet having here ended;
Now I begin that which is requisite to be done.
O God! for the sake of the poster