IN their restrained splendor, ancient Persian miniatures still suggest an ingredient of present-day Iran, a harsh and occasionally beautiful land where each oasis, even a blade of grass, can seem a small miracle, and where the diminutive art form continues to flourish. With economy of line and careful balance of color, the best of the miniatures capture an unexpected spaciousness and a certain timeless rhythm.

As the setting for his portrait of the Shah of Iran, TIME Cover Artist Bernard Safran copied a delicately elegant miniature by an unknown artist of the Safavid Dynasty period (1501-1734). Like most miniatures, this one was a book-size illustration for a Persian poet's verses. The lover is seen with his beloved in a pavilion in a flowering garden, where women attendants come with sweets and wine. A line of text runs around the edge: "My heart accepts the thorns of your garden . . ."

The goals of a TIME cover story are, in a way, like those of a miniature --spaciousness within economy, careful balance and meticulous detail. For a year TIME'S editors have been watching the Shah's progress with a cover story in mind, and Beirut Correspondents William McHale and Dennis Fodor have ranged widely over the Iranian countryside. After one trip to the remote rug-making town of Tabriz, McHale had to return to Teheran in "an ancient Russian sedan with weak brakes and uncertain gears. For 15 hours we groaned up hills, whistled down mountain slopes in neutral, while the driver merrily sang Persian war songs and I repeated what I hoped was a perfect act of contrition."

As Iran's election crisis suddenly hit, McHale covered angry rallies, turned up at the Shah's press conference -- a regal affair where reporters wear cutaways and striped trousers -- and "clumped down in the rear row, hoping my blue suit wouldn't seem too shabby." He and Fodor met their deadline with a massive report to Foreign News Writer Richard Armstrong, who, having drawn on background material put together by Researcher Nancy McD. Chase, turned out the story of a hardworking king in trouble. What McHale and Fodor needed then was rest--perhaps in a miniature-like garden. But there were thorns. On the plane ride back to Beirut, McHale reported, "I got no sleep, partly because one girl passenger decided she didn't want to wrinkle her dress, and so removed same in full view of all hands."

FREDERICK S. GILBERT, TIME'S general manager since 1948, is leaving us this week on a new assignment for TIME Inc.: General Manager of the company's Broadcasting Division, which includes among its many activities the supervision of radio and TV stations in Denver, Minneapolis, Grand Rapids and Indianapolis.

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