**STANZAS OF THE SOUL **
- *On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings—oh, happy chance!—
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest. *
2.* In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised—oh, happy chance!—
In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.*
3.* In the happy night, In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart.*
4.* This light guided me More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me— A place where none appeared.*
5.* Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!*
6.* Upon my flowery breast, Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.*
7.* The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my senses to be suspended.*
8.* I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.*