PoemsofSt.JohnoftheCross

IntroductionbyP.J.Kavanagh.Afinelyproduced,bilingualeditionofthesecelebratedpoems.Rejoice,mylove,withmeAndinyourbeautyseeusbothreflected:Bymountain-slopeandleaWherepurestrillsrunfree,We'llpassintotheforestundetected.-from"SongsBetweentheSoulandtheBridegroom"St.JohnoftheCross,asixteenth-centurySpanishCarmelitemonk,haslongbeenregardedasoneofthegreatestofChristianmystics.Hisintenselyferventandprofoundpoemsareareflectionofhisownuniquemysticalexperiences,whichrequirednothinglessthantotalsurrendertotheloveofGod.Theyarepresentedhereinabeautifullyproduced,fine-paperedition,bothintheoriginalSpanishversionsandonfacingpagesinRoyCampbell'scelebratedEnglishtranslation.CampbellwasanintenseadmirerofallthingsSpanishand,asLaurieLeeputit,"oneofourlastpre-technocratic,big-actionpoets."