6. Summarily, then, we have an explanation of the first stanza. Now we will expound on it verse by verse and explain whatever pertains to our subject. We will follow the method mentioned in the prologue: first cite each stanza and then the individual verses.6 The nature of the dark night through which a soul journeys to divine union. One Dark Night 1. We can offer three reasons for calling this journey toward union with God a night. The first has to do with the point of departure because