Without support and with support,
Living without light, in darkness,
I am wholly being consumed.

My soul is disentangled
From every created thing
And lifted above itself
In a life of delight
Supported only in God.
So can it not be said
That I most value this:
My soul now sees itself
Without support and with support.

And though I suffer darknesses
In this mortal life,
That is not so hard a thing;
For though I have no light
I have the life of heaven.
For the blinder love is
The more it gives such life,
Holding the soul surrendered,
Living without light, in darkness.

After I have known it
Love works so in me
That whether things go well or badly
Love turns all to one sweetness
Transforming the soul in itself.
And so in its delighting flame
Which I feel within me,
Swiftly, with nothing spared,
I am wholly being consumed.

To the Unending. But for him that makes
No sacrifice, he hath nor part nor lot
Even in the present world. How should he share
Another . . . ?