A SPIRITUAL CANTICLE 
OF THE SOUL

 AND

THE BRIDEGROOM CHRIST

 BY

 ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS

TRANSLATED BY

DAVID LEWIS

WITH CORRECTIONS AND AN INTRODUCTION

BY

BENEDICT ZIMMERMAN, O.C.D.

Prior of St. Luke’s, Wincanton

NIHIL OBSTAT

HENRICUS S. BOWDEN

Censor Deputatus.

IMPRIMATUR

EDMD. CANONICUS SURMONT

Vicarius Generalis.

Westmonasterii

Die 28 Junii 1909.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

A SPIRITUAL CANTICLE OF THE SOUL AND  THE BRIDEGROOM CHRIST

PROLOGUE

SONG OF THE SOUL AND THE BRIDEGROOM

ARGUMENT

EXPLANATION OF THE STANZAS

STANZA I

STANZA II

STANZA III

STANZA IV

STANZA V

STANZA VI

STANZA VII

STANZA VIII

STANZA IX

STANZA X

STANZA XI

STANZA XII

STANZA XIII

STANZA XIV, XV

STANZA XV

STANZA XVI

STANZA XVII

STANZA XVIII

STANZA XIX

STANZA XX, XXI

STANZA XXII

STANZA XXIII

STANZA XXIV

STANZA XXV

STANZA XXVI

STANZA XXVII

STANZA XXVIII

STANZA XXIX

STANZA XXX

STANZA XXXI

STANZA XXXII

STANZA XXXIII

STANZA XXXIV

STANZA XXXV

STANZA XXXVI

STANZA XXXVII

STANZA XXXVIII

STANZA XXXIX

STANZA XL