O Ancient Beauty!
Turn aside from the unbelievers and that which they possess, and waft
over all created things the sweet savours of the remembrance of Thy Beloved,
the Exalted, the Great. This remembrance
quickeneth the world of being and reneweth the temples of all created
things. Say: He, verily, hath established Himself upon the
Throne of might and glory. Whosoever
desireth to gaze upon His countenance, lo, behold Him standing before
thee! Blessed be the Lord Who hath
revealed Himself in this shining and luminous Beauty. Whosoever desireth to hearken unto His
melodies, lo, hear them rising from His resplendent and wondrous lips! And unto whosoever desireth to be illumined
by the splendours of His light, say:
Seek the court of His presence, for God hath verily granted you leave to
approach it, as a token of His grace unto all mankind.
(Baha'u'llah, ‘Suriy-i-Haykal,
‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)
