March came—I cried: Rejoice! for it shall beA feast that loyalty keeps eternally.
Two feasts within this spring have joined as one,Like mingled lights when dawn and day have run.
Like rain that grants its garden's sweetest dew,Reviving plains where barren visions grew.
Give me the lofty hills or give the plain—My love's full price, if thou wouldst buy again.
I am a miser if thou wouldst procureWhat neither gold nor kingdoms can secure.
Art thou the herald of hope's resurrection?Thou camest, O beloved, as rain's affection.
My lord, I gave thee all my gifts before—Is there beyond that still a gift in store?
Take it, beloved—a flash of our shared soul,To quicken death when healing plays no role.
Take it, companion—a sip of our love's wine,To slake the thirsty when the clouds decline.
Two hearts God joined in passion's sacred flame,Symbol of love that shone with radiant name.
Proclaiming faith's authentic, ancient root,My heart and thine in purity's pursuit.
I still recall the day when evening came,And purity appeared in perfect frame.
Among companions flowed discourse refined,Of verse—the choicest topic for the mind.
The poem stirred his heart to palpitate,And I breathed fragrance from his love's estate.
I glimpsed God's light upon his noble brow,And saw true love shine radiant even now.
It seemed the All-Knowing drew me towardThe one who chose me, bowed in sweet accord.
To be for me a fountain overflowing,That we might fill the world with perfume glowing.
Who would suppose my dream of deep emotionHad grown a monument of grand devotion?
From every meaning in his love I drewA verse that passion's chronicler knew.
And today I appear a star that gleams,To spread its radiance through mortal dreams.
My hand reached God's—a bond of union tied,Between us two, by destiny supplied.
No fault therein save wandering thought's brief flight,That sometimes leads him, pensive, from the light.
Yet I gave all my hope that he might soarAbove the summits men have climbed before.
I swore my kingdom's wealth, my world's estate,To spend on feast-day bounty rich and great.
I swear by God whose heart my own made whole—A love that eases every struggling soul.
It casts my passion's radiance on earth—Who understands? Who knows my spirit's worth?
If thou wouldst, crush this passion and depart,Or if thou wouldst, eternal keep my heart.
But I loved in him the age of guidance bright,And bowed my soul before his sacred light.
Book Details 
