Mystical Verse and Prose/Poesías y prosas místicas: A Dual-Language Book

Mystical Verse and Prose/Poesías y prosas místicas: A Dual-Language Book

The sixteenth-century friar known as St. John of the Cross is regarded as one of Spain's foremost poets, as well as one of the greatest mystical poets of any language. Drawn to the contemplative life, he joined St. Teresa of Avila in her reform of the Discalced Carmelites. St. John considered his poetry to be the most authentic expression of his theology and his mystical experience. This new edition of his works of spiritual guidance both modernizes the original text and retains its rhetorical grandeur. 

In addition to eight poems, this volume features St. John's four major prose works: Subida del Monte Carmelo ("The Ascent of Mount Carmel"), Noche oscura ("The Dark Night"), Cantico espiritual ("The Spiritual Canticle"), and Llama de amor viva ("The Living Flame of Love"). Translator Stanley Appelbaum provides an informative Introduction, in addition to helpful notes on each item.

Table of Contents for Mystical Verse and Prose/Poesías y prosas místicas

• Introduction
• Verse

1. On a dark night

2. Spiritual Canticle

3. O living flame of love

4. I live without living in myself

5. For I know well the fountain that gushes and flows

6. I entered a place where I had no knowledge

7. A shepherd lad, alone, is grieving

8. In pursuit of an amorous adventure

• Subida del Monte Carmelo / Ascent of Mount Carmel

Prologue

Book I, Chapter 1

Book I, Chapter 2

Book I, Chapter 3

Book I, Chapter 13

Book I, Chapter 14

Book I, Chapter 15

Book II, Chapter 1

Book II, Chapter 2

Book II, Chapter 3

Book II, Chapter 5

Book II, Chapter 6

Book II, Chapter 24

Book III, Chapter 1

Book III, Chapter 4

Book III, Chapter 36

• Dark Night

Explanation [of First Stanza]

Book I, Chapter 1

Book I, Chapter 9

Book II, Chapter 4

Book II, Chapter 5

Book II, Chapter 8

Book II, Chapter 15

Book II, Chapter 25

• Spiritual Canticle

Prologue

Argument

Commentary

Stanza 1

Commentary on the Following Stanza [39]

Stanza 39

Stanza 40

• Living Flame of Love

Prologue

Stanza 1