1.
The dry mind thirsted for the fountain of life everlasting.
My imprisoned soul seeks that the chains of the flesh be broken immediately,
It swells, it walks about, it struggles an exile in order to enjoy the pleasure of the homeland.
2.
While (she) the submissive soul bewails her oppression and toil,
She contemplates the glory that was lost when it is lost,
The memory of the good that is lost increases the present misfortune.
3.
For who might express, how much joy there is in the peace on high,
Where buildings rise up of living pearls,
How much the high roofs glitter with gold, how much the dining rooms gleam?
4.
These buildings are fashioned together with only precious gems,
The street of the city has been covered with gold a clear as glass;
There is no mud, there is no manure, no pestilence is tread under foot.
5.
Terrible winter, hot summer, never rages there;
The purple flower of the roses spends (enjoying) the spring everlasting;
The lillies are brilliant, the crocus reddens, the balsam drips (sweats).
6.
The meadows are green, the crops feel new life, the rivers flow with honey;
The fluid of the colors breathes forth fragrance and spice;
The fruits of the flowers of the woodland hang without danger of falling.
7.
The moon does not change by turns, nor the sun, nor the course of the stars;
The lamb of this blessed city is everlasting;
Night and time are absent, eternity brings a continuous day.
8.
For even the saints and those who shine forth as a brilliant sun,
Having been crowned after their triumph celebrate together
And having been laid on the ground they count now to be safe from the blows of the enemy.
9.
Those who have been cleansed from all disgrace do not know wars of flesh;
The flesh having become spiritual and the mind know the one;
Those enjoying in peace do not bear many temptations.
10.
(The saints), having been liberated from the temporary things, they seek again the source;
And contemplate the present kind of truth;
From this living fountain they draw vital sweetness.
11.
Therefore, they (again, still the saints) always seize/inhabit/possess the same state of being:
Serene, living, enjoying they are open to no accidents;
Diseases are always absent from the healthy ones, (just as) old age is always absent from the youthful ones.
12.
Hence they hold on to existence forever [They have eternal being (perenne esse], for passing has passed;
Thence they are verdant, vigorous, flourishing; corruption sinks;
The vigor of immortality swallows up the law of death.
13.
They who know the one who knows all (God), what can they not know?
For they even penetrate the secret knowledge of the breast of each other;
They want the one (and that is all they want), one thing they know, oneness is of their minds.
14.
Although the merit to each person is different according to his work,
Love makes this its own, whatever it loves in another person;
That which is characteristic of one (a few) becomes (a possession) in common of all.
15.
Where the body is, there do the eagles justly come together;
Where even the holy souls are refreshed alongside the angels;
The citizens of both heaven and earth (the angels and the saints) live by one loaf (the same nourishment).
16.
Always eager and content, they desire whatever they have.
He does not scorns ‘enough’ (contentment), and he is not tortured by hunger (for food);
The longing devotees in awe are always eating (consuming), and those who are eating are always lovingly in awe.
17.
A lovely voice always produces new harmonies,
And the instruments having been brought out, they caress the ears in jubilation;
They (the saints) give praises worthy of the king through whom they are victors.
18.
Happy is the soul, which knows the present king of heaven
And sees under his throne the high device of the turning world,
The sun, the moon, the sphere of the stars in two courses.
19.
Christ, crown of the warriors, lead me into this
City after untying the military belt;
Make (me) a sharer of the gift of the blessed citizens.
20.
Give (supply) strength to the person laboring in everlasting struggle,
So that/in order that you owe peace (to me), after having girded up for battle (the soldiers who have been discharged after the battle), to those who have given service,
And (so that) I have deserved to possess you through a reward without end.
Amen.