rt brightened by the remembrance of Thy
countenance and My soul is as a rosegarden from the perfume of Thy
nature."

In short, after He had remained for three months in the Castle of
_Ch_ihriq, the eminent doctors of Tabriz and scholars of A_dh_irbayjan
wrote to Tihran and demanded a severe punishment in regard to the Bab for
the intimidation and frightening of the people. When the Prime Minister
Haji Mirza Aqasi beheld the ferment and clamor of the learned doctors in
all districts of Persia, he perforce became their accomplice and ordered
Him to be brought from _Ch_ihriq to Tabriz. In the course of His transit
by Urumiyyih the governor of the district Qasim Mirza treated Him with
extraordinary deference, and a strange flocking together of high and low
was apparent. These conducted themselves with the utmost respectfulness.

When the Bab reached Tabriz they brought Him after some days before the
government tribunal. Of the learned doctors the Nizamu'l-'Ulama, Mulla
Muhammad-i-Mamaqani, Mirza Ahmad the Imam-Jum'ih, Mirza 'Ali-As_gh_ar the
_Sh_ay_kh_u'l-Islam, and several other divines were present. They asked
concerning the claims of the Bab. He advanced the claim of Mihdi-hood;
whereon a mighty tumult arose. Eminent doctors in overwhelming might
compassed Him on all sides, and such was the onset of orthodoxy that it
had been no great wonder if a mere youth had not withstood the mountain of
Elburz. They demanded proof. Without hesitation He recited texts, saying,
"This is the permanent and most mighty proof." They criticized His
grammar. He adduced arguments from the Qur'an, setting forth therefrom
instances of similar infractions of the rules of grammar. So the assembly
broke up and the Bab returned to His own dwelling.

The heaven-cradled Crown-Prince was at that time governor of
A_dh_irbayjan. He pronounced no sentence with regard to the Bab, nor did
he desire to interfere with Him. The doctors, however, considered it
advisable at least to inflict a severe chastisement, and beating was
decided on. But none of the corps of farra_sh_es would agree to become the
instruments of the infliction of this punishment. So Mirza 'Ali-As_gh_ar
the _Sh_ay_kh_u'l-Islam, who was one of the noble Siyyids, brought Him to
his own house and applied the rods with his own hand. After this they sent
the Bab back to _Ch_ihriq and subjected Him to a strict confinement.

Now when the news of this beating, chastisement, imprisonment, and rigo