On a dark night

On a dark night
When Love burned bright
Consuming all my care,
While my house slept,
Unseen, I crept
Along the secret stair.


O blessed chance!
No human glance
My secret steps detected.
While my house slept,
I silent crept
In shadow well protected.


That blessed night
Concealed from sight,
Unseeing I did go,
No light to guide
But that inside
My eager heart aglow,


A guide as bright
As noonday light,
Which brought me where he dwelt,
Where none but he
Could wait for me
And make his presence felt.


Sweeter that night
Than morning light,
For Love did loving meet,
I knew him well,
And we could dwell
In ecstasy complete.


I gave him there
My thought, my care,
So did my spirit flower.
Love lay at rest
Upon my breast
That cedar-scented hour.


When morning air
Ruffled his hair
From off the ramparts blowing,
I felt his hand,
A quiet command
Tranquillity bestowing.


Then face to face
With Love's own grace,
My fears no more parading,
I left them there
With all my care
Among the lilies fading.


St. John of the Cross, trans. Kathleen Jones