from "Dark Night" by St. John of the Cross

On a dark night,
Fired with love's urgent longings
--oh, happy chance!--
I went forth without being observed,
My house being now at rest.

Oh, night that guided me,
Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined
Beloved with lover,
Lover transformed in the Beloved!

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.