concerning him, and concerning them who, like unto thee, have conquered
cities and ruled over men. The All-Merciful brought them down from their
palaces to their graves. Be warned, be of them who reflect... O banks of
the Rhine! We have seen you covered with gore, inasmuch as the swords of
retribution were drawn against you; and you shall have another turn. And
We hear the lamentations of Berlin, though she be today in conspicuous
glory.




EMPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH


O EMPEROR of Austria! He who is the Dayspring of God’s Light dwelt in the
prison of Akká, at the time when thou didst set forth to visit the Aqsá
Mosque (Jerusalem). Thou passed Him by, and inquired not about Him, by
Whom every house is exalted, and every lofty gate unlocked. We, verily,
made it (Jerusalem) a place whereunto the world should turn, that they
might remember Me, and yet thou hast rejected Him Who is the Object of
this remembrance, when He appeared with the Kingdom of God, thy Lord and
the Lord of the worlds. We have been with thee at all times, and found
thee clinging unto the Branch and heedless of the Root. Thy Lord, verily,
is a witness unto what I say. We grieved to see thee circle round Our
Name, whilst unaware of Us, though We were before thy face. Open thine
eyes, that thou mayest behold this glorious Vision, and recognize Him Whom
thou invokest in the daytime and in the night-season, and gaze on the
Light that shineth above this luminous Horizon.