 | Ad Matrem |  |
11
III.
Mary is praying in her humble home.
No carriage wheels are ever heard before
Her house. No pomp has ever crossed her door,
Nor any splendour of the court of Rome.
No carriage wheels are ever heard before
Her house. No pomp has ever crossed her door,
Nor any splendour of the court of Rome.
Yet who is this who comes so splendidly
In robes and jewels of another world,
With shimmering wings all crisp and softly curled
In heaven's highest air? What can it be?
In robes and jewels of another world,
With shimmering wings all crisp and softly curled
In heaven's highest air? What can it be?
Hail, full of grace, he says; his voice is sweet
Just as his clothes are splendid, and his face
Is all alight with heaven. Full of grace!
Strange words! strange posture, kneeling at her feet!
Just as his clothes are splendid, and his face
Is all alight with heaven. Full of grace!
Strange words! strange posture, kneeling at her feet!
Mary has never known the noise and crush
Of crowded courts. The courtier's flattering tongue
Has never lied to her, who lived among
The humble and the poor; but in the hush
Of crowded courts. The courtier's flattering tongue
Has never lied to her, who lived among
The humble and the poor; but in the hush
12
Of her still chamber she has prayed alone
To God so much, that now she has no fear
To face a shining angel, or to hear
The gracious message sent from God's high throne.
To God so much, that now she has no fear
To face a shining angel, or to hear
The gracious message sent from God's high throne.
She says: Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
And be it done to me as thou hast said.
Strong in her faith, she bows her lowly head;
Heaven breaks forth in song with one accord.
And be it done to me as thou hast said.
Strong in her faith, she bows her lowly head;
Heaven breaks forth in song with one accord.
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