rime in all the domains of Thine invention and creation. Who is
there, O my Lord, that, when Thou revealest the first glimmerings of the
signs of Thy transcendent sovereignty and might, hath the power to claim
for himself any existence whatever? Existence itself is as nothing when
brought face to face with the mighty and manifold wonders of Thine
incomparable Self.

Far, immeasurably far, art Thou exalted above all things, O Thou Who art
the King of Kings! I entreat Thee by Thy Self and by Them Who are the
Manifestations of Thy Cause and the Day-Springs of Thine authority to
write down for us that which Thou hast written down for Thy chosen ones.
Withhold not from us that which Thou didst ordain for Thy loved ones, who,
as soon as Thy call reached them, hastened unto Thee, and when the
splendors of the light of Thy countenance were shed upon them, instantly
prostrated themselves in adoration before Thy face.

We are Thy servants, O my Lord, and in the grasp of Thy power. If Thou
chastisest us with the chastisement inflicted upon the former and the
latter generations, Thy verdict would be assuredly just and Thine act
praiseworthy. Powerful art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. None other God
is there beside Thee, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Help in Peril,
the Self-Subsisting.

LXXXI: "UNTO THEE BE PRAISE, O THOU WHO INCLINEST THINE..."

Unto Thee be praise, O Thou Who inclinest Thine ear to the sighing of them
that have rid themselves of all attachment to any one but Thee, and Who
hearest the voice of the lamentation of those who are wholly devoted to
Thy Self! Thou beholdest all that hath befallen them at the hands of such
of Thy creatures as have transgressed and rebelled against Thee. Thy might
beareth me witness, O Thou Who art the King of the realms of justice and
the Ruler of the cities of mercy! The tribulations they have been made to
suffer are such as no pen, in the entire creation, can reckon. Should any
one attempt to make mention of them, he would find himself powerless to
describe them.

As these tribulations, however, were sustained in Thy path and for love of
Thee, they who were afflicted by them render thanks, under all conditions,
unto Thee, and say: "O Thou Who art the Delight of our hearts and the
Object of our adoration! Were the clouds of Thy decree to rain down upon
us the darts of affliction, we would, in our love for Thee, refuse to be
impatient. We would yield Thee praise and t