Upon an obscure night, <br />Fevered with love in love's anxiety, <br />(O hapless-happy plight!) <br />I went, none seeing me, <br />Forth from my house where all things quiet be. <br /> <br />By night, secure from sight, <br />And by the secret stair, disguisedly, <br />(O hapless-happy plight!) <br />By night, and privily, <br />Forth from my house where all things quiet be. <br /> <br />Blest night of wandering, <br />In secret, where by none might I be spied, <br />Nor I see anything; <br />Without a light or guide, <br />Save that which in my heart burnt in my side. <br /> <br />That light did lead me on, <br />More surely than the shining of noontide, <br />Where well I knew that one <br />Did for my coming bide; <br />Where he abode might none but he abide. <br /> <br />O night that didst lead thus, <br />O night more lovely than the dawn of light, <br />O night that broughtest us, <br />Lover to lover's sight, <br />Lover with loved in marriage of delight! <br /> <br />Upon my flowery breast, <br />Wholly for him, and save himself for none, <br />There did I give sweet rest <br />To my beloved one; <br />The fanning of the cedars breathed thereon. <br /> <br />When the first moving air <br />Blew from the tower, and waved his locks aside. <br />His hand, with gentle care, <br />Did wound me in the side, <br />And in my body all my senses died. <br /> <br />All things I then forgot, <br />My cheek on him who for my coming came; <br />All ceased, and I was not, <br />Leaving my cares and shame <br />Among the lilies, and forgetting them.<br /><br />Arthur Symons<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-obscure-night-of-the-soul/
