nest what Thou
pleasest.

LXXXIII: "PRAISED BE THOU, O LORD MY GOD! THOU SEEST MY..."

Praised be Thou, O Lord my God! Thou seest my poverty and my misery, my
troubles and my needs, my utter helplessness and my extreme lowliness, my
lamentations and my bitter wailing, the anguish of my soul and the
afflictions which beset me. The power of Thy might beareth me witness!
Such is the depth of mine abasement that Thy servants who have strayed far
from Thy path deride me. Thou knowest that I am recognized as the bearer
of Thy name among Thy creatures. Thou knowest that my station is but an
image of Thy station, that my virtues recount Thy virtues, that within
mine inmost being naught can be found except the revelations of Thy signs,
and that my very essence is but a reflection of the evidences of Thy
unity.

All these things Thou hast noised abroad among Thy creatures, in such wise
that none can recognize me, except as one who beareth Thy name. I swear by
Thy glory! My lamentations are not for the things which have befallen me
in Thy path, but are due to my recognition that by reason of mine
abasement the hearts of them that love Thee have been sore shaken, and the
souls of Thine adversaries have been so filled with joy that they rejoice
over those who have detached themselves from all except Thee and have
hastened towards the river of Thy remembrance and praise. So great is
their waywardness that when meeting Thy loved ones, they shake their heads
in derision of Thy Cause and say: "Where is your Lord Whom ye mention in
the daytime and in the night season? Where is He to be found Whom ye call
your Sovereign, to Whom ye summon all men to turn?" Their pride and
haughtiness waxed greater and greater until they denied the power of Thy
might and rejected Thy sovereignty and dominion.

Thy glory beareth me witness! I delight in mine own afflictions and in the
afflictions which they who love me suffer in Thy path. Neither I nor they,
however, are able to bear such affronts and reproaches as are uttered by
Thine enemies against Thy Self, the Unrestrained. How long shalt Thou
remain seated, O my God, on the throne of Thy forbearance and patience?
Speak Thou Thy word of wrath, O Thou Whom no eyes can see! Well-beloved is
Thy mercy unto the sincere among Thy servants, and well-beseeming Thy
chastisement of the infidels among Thine enemies. Send down upon them,
therefore, O my Lord, that which will unmistakably reveal unto t