I have seen, O Sháh, in the path of God what eye hath not
seen nor ear heard. Mine acquaintances
have repudiated Me, and My pathways have been straitened. The fount of
well-being hath run dry, and the bower of ease hath withered. How numerous the tribulations which have
rained, and will soon rain, upon Me! I advance with My face set towards Him Who
is the Almighty, the All-Bounteous, whilst behind Me glideth the serpent. Mine
eyes have rained down tears until My bed is drenched.
- Baha'u'llah (Tablet to Nasiri’d-Din
Shah, Suriy-i-Haykal [Tablet of Temple]; ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)