Sequence 45. Annuncia Tion of the Blessed Virgin

March 25TH.
GABRIEL, sent from heaven to carry,
As Christ's faithful emissary,
Greetings to the Blessed Mary,
Sacred words with her rehearsed :
Good and sweet the word he taketh, S
As he in her chamber speaketh.

And of " Eva" " Ave " maketh,
Having Eve's name thus reversed.

Comfort gives he, fear dispelling,
" By the Holy Ghost's in-dwelling,
" Thee the Highest's shadow veiling,
" Thou," saith he, " shalt bear the Lord ! "
— » Be it so," by her was spoken,
" To His handmaid by this token ;
" Let my virgin seal unbroken
" Be, according to thy word ! "
As that promise thus declareth,
The incarnate Word appeareth :
But the virgin ever shareth
Still intact virginity.

Such a birth no mother showeth ;
She, whom mortal man ne'er knoweth,
Pain nor labour undergoeth,
When she bears her progeny.

Of a wonder new thou hearest :
Have but faith, 'twill then be clearest :
This shoe's latchet, if thou nearest,
Thou art powerless to untie.

Great the lesson is, none higher !
In the bush and in the fire ;
With feet shod let none draw nigher.

Lest he come unworthily.
The dry rod, without a shower,
In new manner, through new power,
Fruit produced as well as flower :
So a maid hath borne a son !

Blessed be that fruit for ever,
Fruit of joy, of sorrow never !

Had he tasted its sweet savour,
Adam ne'er had been undone.

Jesus, gentle as none other.
Holy son of holy mother,
King of heaven, is, as our brother,
To a manger-cradle brought.

May He, thus for our salvation
Born, effect our guilt's purgation,
Seeing that our occupation
Of this earth with risk is fraught. Amen.