A Traveler's Narrative
page 22
make a general onslaught; the powers of the religious and the
civil law linked hands and strove to eradicate and destroy this
people.
Now this people had not yet acquired such knowledge as
was right and needful of the fundamental principles and
hidden doctrines of the Báb's's teachings, and did not recognize
their duties. Their conceptions and ideas were after the former
fashion, and their conduct and behavior in correspondence
with ancient usage. The way of approach to the Báb was,
moreover, closed, and the flame of trouble visibly blazing on
every side. At the decree of the most celebrated of the doctors,
the government, and indeed the common people, had, with
irresistible power, inaugurated rapine and plunder on all
sides, and were engaged in punishing and torturing, killing
and despoiling, in order that they might quench this fire and
wither these [poor] souls. In towns where these were but a
limited number all of them with bound hands became food for
the sword, while in cities where they were numerous they
arose in self-defense agreeably to their former beliefs, since it
was impossible for them to make inquiry as to their duty, and
all doors were closed.
In Mazindarán amongst other places the people of the city
of Barfurúsh at the command of the chief of the lawyers the
Sa'ídu'l-`Ulamá made a general attack on Mullá Husayn of
Bushrúyih and his followers, and slew six or seven persons.
They were busy compassing the destruction of the rest also
when Mullá Husayn ordered the adhán to be sounded and
stretched forth his hand to the sword, whereupon all sought
flight, and the nobles and lords coming before him with the
utmost penitence and deference agreed that he should be
permitted to depart. They further sent with them as a guard
Khusraw of Qádí-Kalá with horsemen and footmen, so that,
according to the terms of the agreement, they might go forth
safe and protected from the territory of Mazindarán. When
they, being ignorant of the fords and paths, had emerged from
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