"The one sole wish of my heart," she replied, "Is still to be near thee, to sit by thy side; To have thee by day in my happy sight, And to lay my cheek on thy foot at night; To lie in the shade of the cypress and sip The sugar that lies on thy ruby lip; To my wounded heart this soft balm to lay; For naught beyond this can I wish or pray. The streams of thy love will new life bestow On the dry thirsty field where its sweet waters flow." UNITED Thus spoke the Angel: "To thee, O King, From the Lord Almighty a message I bring: 'Mine eyes have seen her in humble mood; I heard her prayer when to thee she sued. At the sight of her labours, her prayers, and sighs, The waves of the sea of my pity rise. Her soul from the sword of despair I free, And here from My throne I betroth her to thee.'" [Footnote 1: A well in Paradise.] [Footnote 2: Abraham.] SELECTIONS FROM THE "BAHÁRISTÁN" ("ABODE OF SPRING") Take a walk in this Baháristán [Abode of Spring] That you may see therein Gulistán [rose-groves] With gracefulness in each Gulistán, Flowers growing and aromatic plants blooming. BAHÁRISTÁN. TO THE READER OF THE "BAHÁRISTÁN" Let every fortunate man who of these blooming trees The shade enjoys, or the fruit consumes, Act according to the laws of righteousness, Walk on the road of generosity and pray thus: May _Jámí_, who planted this garden, O Lord, Be always full of God and empty of self.[1] May he travel on no other path but His, and seek no other _Union_[2] but His; Nor utter another name but His, nor see another face but His. SONG IN PRAISE OF THE BELOVED To the Maker!--the rose-grove of the sphere Is but one leaf of the flower-garden of. His creation-- That those who sing His praises May have a plate of pearls and jewels full of oblations! May the magnitude of His glory shine, and the world of His perfection be exalted! A thousand chants of salutation and greeting from the philomels of the garden-mansion of _Union_ and benevolence, who are the musicians of the assembly of witnesses and songsters in the delightful house of _Ecstasy_[3] and benevolence. FIRST GARDEN "FOR THEE" For Thee we have hastened across land and sea, Have passed over plains, and mountains climbed, Have turned away from whatever we met Until we found the way to the sanctuary of Union with Thee. PRIDE Boast not of having no pride, because it is more invisible Than the mark of an ant's foot on a black rock in a dark night; Think it not easy to extirpate it from thy heart, For it is more easy to root up a mountain from the earth with a needle. "I CANNOT BE FAR FROM THY DOOR"