A Traveler's Narrative
page 12
and to defer the obtaining of an audience to the time of
return."
Agreeably to this view a letter was issued addressed to the
Báb in his Majesty's own writing, and, according to the traditional
account of the tenor of this letter, the epitome thereof is
this:
(After the titles). "Since the royal train is on the verge of
departure from Tihrán, to meet in a befitting manner is
impossible. Do you go to Mákú and there abide and rest for
a while, engaged in praying for our victorious state; and we
have arranged that under all circumstances they shall show
you attention and respect. When we return from travel we will
summon you specially."
After this they sent Him off with several mounted guards
(amongst them Muhammad Big, the courier) to Tabríz and
Mákú.
Besides this the followers of the Báb recount certain messages
conveyed [from Him] by the instrumentality of
Muhammad Big (amongst which was a promise to heal the
foot of the late king, but on condition of an interview, and the
suppression of the tyranny of the majority), and the Prime
Minister's prevention of the conveyance of these letters to the
Royal Presence. For he himself laid claim to be a spiritual
guide and was prepared to perform the functions of religious
directorship. But others deny these accounts.
At all events in the course of the journey He wrote a letter to
the Prime Minister saying, "You summoned Me from Isfahán
to meet the doctors and for the attainment of a decisive
settlement. What has happened now that this excellent intention
has been changed for Mákú and Tabríz?"
Although He remained forty days in the city of Tabríz the
learned doctors did not condescend to approach Him and did
not deem it right to meet Him. Then they sent Him off to the
Castle of Mákú, and for nine months lodged Him in the
inaccessible castle which is situated on the summit of that lofty
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