133. Forgotten among the Lilies

I fainted away abandoned;

And amid the lilies forgottenThrew all my cares away.

(St. John of the Cross. The Obscure Night, Stanza viii)

THROUGH the dark night I wander on alone,

AND, as one blinded, grope my weary way,

Without a lamp to shed its guiding ray;

I wander on unseen, and seeing none,

And caring to behold but only One.

I see not, yet my heart will give me light,

And safer than the noonday sun will guide

To where the Bridegroom waiteth for the Bride;

So walking on in faith and not by sight,

I cannot fear but He will guide me right.…

Forgotten ’mid the lilies; for I feel

Their gentle blossoms wave above my head;

I breathe the magic perfume which they shed,

As though my bleeding wounds they fain would heal,

And from my heart its aching sorrow steal.

A sad, sweet lot—I needs must call it sweet;

My cares, like withered buds, I cast aside,

And reck but little what may next betide;

The days and years fly past on pinions fleet,

Amid these lilies crushed beneath His feet.

Forgotten and abandoned;—yet withal

Leaning my heart upon my only Love:

Nay, raise me not, I do not care to move;

Soon I shall hear His gentle footstep fall,

And lift my eyes, and answer to His call.

Till then among the lilies let me lie;

See, I have cast my idle cares away:

Howe’er it be, I am content to stay

Until once more the Bridegroom passes by,

And hither turns His gracious, pitying eye.

Blame not my folly, for I know full well

My words can nought but idle babbling seem,

The madness of a fond and foolish dream:

Bear with my folly, for the thoughts that swell

This burning heart, I cannot, dare not tell.

Know only this—I suffer, yet I rest;

For all my cares and fears are cast away,

And more than this I know not how to say;

Forgotten though I be, I own it best

And ’mid the lilies lie in perfect rest.