Ecstasy of Contemplation

I ENTERED, but I knew not where,
And there I stood nought knowing,
All science transcending.

I knew not where I entered,
For, when I stood within,
Not knowing where I was,
I heard great things.
What I heard I will not tell :
I was there as one who knew not,
All science transcending.

Oi peace and devotion
The knowledge was perfect,
In solitude profound ;
The right way was clear,
But so secret was it,
That I stood babbling,
All science transcending.
I stood enraptured
In ecstasy, beside myself,
And in my every sense
No sense remained.
My spirit was endowed
With understanding, understanding nought,
All science transcending.

The higher I ascended
The less I understood.
It is the dark cloud
Illumining the night.
Therefore, he who understands,
Knows nothing ever
All science transcending.

He who really ascends so high
Annihilates himself,
And all his previous knowledge
Seems ever less and less ;
His knowledge so increases
That he knoweth nothing,
All science transcending.

This knowing that knows nothing
Is so potent in its might
That the prudent in their reasoning
Never can defeat it ;
For their wisdom never reaches
To the understanding that understandeth nothing,
All science transcending.

This sovereign wisdom
Is of an excellence so high
That no faculty nor science
Can ever unto it attain.
He who shall overcome himself
By the knowledge which knows nothing,
Will always rise all science transcending.

And if you would listen ;
This sovereign wisdom doth consist
In a sense profound
Of the essence of God :
It is an act of His compassion,
To leave us, nought understanding,
All science transcending.