St John of the Cross 'Living Flame of Love'

1. "Oh Love's living flame,

Tenderly you wound

My soul's deepest center!

Since you no longer evade me

Will you please at last consummate:

Rend the veil of this sweet encounter!

 

2. "Oh cautery so tender!

Oh pampered wound!

Oh soft hand! Oh touch so delicately strange,

Tasting of eternal life

And canceling all debts!

Killing, death into life you change!

 

3. "Oh lamps of fiery lure,

In whose shining transparence

The deep cavern of the senses,

Blind and obscure,

Warmth and light, with strange flares,

Gives with the lover's caresses!

 

4. "How tame and loving

Your memory rises in my breast,

Where secretly only you live,

And in your fragrant breathing,

Full of goodness and grace,

How delicately in love you make me feel!"