TO
Gerhardt Hauptmann
WITH THE PROFOUND ADMIRATION
OF THE AUTHOR

PRELUDE

“UP FROM EARTH’S CENTRE THROUGH THE SEVENTH GATE

I ROSE, AND ON THE THRONE OF SATURN SATE;

AND MANY A KNOT UNRAVELLED BY THE ROAD,

BUT NOT THE MASTER KNOT OF HUMAN FATE.”[1]

GREAT OMAR, THIS VAGUE TALE RETOLD CONTAINS

PART ANSWER TO THE RIDDLE. ALLAH DEIGNS

A LITTLE WISDOM THROUGH THE MOST UNWISE:

THE SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE IN CHAINS.