Song of the Soul - the feast of St John of the Cross

                                                                                       O, Blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in You.
                                                                                                 Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
                                                                                            Rule me, O King of Gentleness, King of Peace

There have been several translations of the works of St John of the Cross but, arguably the best and most poetically sensitive were those undertaken by the great Catholic poet, Roy Campbell.

Campbell's work is well worth reading in its own right but here is his rendering of St John's "Song of the Soul that is glad to know God by faith":

'Song of the soul that is glad to know God by faith'

How well I know that fountain’s rushing flow

Although by night

Its deathless spring is hidden. Even so

Full well I guess from whence its source flow

Though it be night.

Its origin (since it has none) none knows:

But that all origin from it arose

Although by night.

I know there is no other thing so fair

And earth and heaven drink refreshment there

Although by night.

Full well I know the depth no man can sound

And that no ford to cross it can be found

Though it be night

Its clarity unclouded still shall be:

Out of it comes the light by which we see

Though it be night.

Flush with its banks the stream so proudly swells;

I know it waters nations, heavens, and hells

Though it be night.

The current that is nourished by this source

I know to be omnipotent in force

Although by night.

Richard Collins - Linen on the Hedgerow