Classic Poem

On a dark night,
burning with love's desire,
oh happy adventure!
I went out, unnoticed,
my house being already calm.

In the darkness and safe,
by the secret stair, in disguise,
oh happy adventure!
in the darkness and concealed,
my house being already calm.

On that happy night,
in secret, since no one could see me,
nor I see anything,
with no other light or guide
than that which burned in my heart.

That light guided me,
more surely than the noonday sun,
to where He was waiting
Whom I knew so well,
in a place where no one was.

Oh night that led me!
Oh night more loving than the dawn!
Oh night that brought together
the Lover and the loved,
the loved one transformed into the Lover!

On my flowering breast,
that kept itself entirely for Him alone,
He fell into deep slumber,
and I caressed Him,
cooled by the breeze from the cedars.

The air from the battlement,
as I loosened His hair,
wounded my neck
with its calm hand,
and suspended all my senses.

I remained and I lost myself,
my face I rested against my Lover;
all ceased, and I was left,
leaving my cares
forgotten among the lilies.