John of the Cross

“In the happy night, In secret, when none saw me, <br /> Nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart.”

“Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn, <br /> Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!”

“<p>Upon my flowery breast <br /> Kept wholly for Himself alone <br /> There He stayed sleeping <br /> And I caressed Him <br /> And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.</p><p>The breeze blew from the turret as I parted His locks. <br /> With His gentle hand He wounded my neck <br /> And caused all my senses to be suspended.</p>”

“I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved. <br /> All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.”

“In search of my Love <br /> I will go over mountains and strands; <br /> I will gather no flowers, <br /> I will fear no wild beasts; <br /> And pass by the mighty and the frontiers. ~ 3”

“A thousand graces diffusing <br /> He passed through the groves in haste, <br /> And merely regarding them <br /> As He passed <br /> Clothed them with His beauty. ~ 5”

“O crystal well! <br /> Oh that on Thy silvered surface <br /> Thou wouldest mirror forth at once <br /> Those eyes desired <br /> Which are outlined in my heart! ~ 12”

“My Beloved is the mountains, <br /> The solitary wooded valleys, <br /> The strange islands, <br /> The roaring torrents, <br /> The whisper of the amorous gales; <br /> The tranquil night <br /> At the approaches of the dawn, <br /> The silent music, <br /> The murmuring solitude, <br /> The supper which revives, and enkindles love. ~ 14 & 15”

“O killing north wind, cease! <br /> Come, south wind, that awakenest love! <br /> Blow through my garden, <br /> And let its odours flow, <br /> And the Beloved shall feed among the flowers. ~ 17”

“The bride has entered <br /> The pleasant and desirable garden, <br /> And there reposes to her heart’s content; <br /> Her neck reclining <br /> On the sweet arms of the Beloved. ~ 22”

“Reveal Thy presence, <br /> And let the vision and Thy beauty kill me, <br /> Behold the malady <br /> Of love is incurable <br /> Except in Thy presence and before Thy face. ~ 11”

“En una noche oscura, <br /> con ansias, en amores inflamada, <br /> ¡oh dichosa ventura!, <br /> salí sin ser notada, <br /> estando ya mi casa sosegada;”