Sequence 46. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

March 25TH.
THE bridesman thus salutes a maid on earth,
And tells the order of a wondrous birth :
" Lo ! " saith he, " thou, blessed one !

" Shalt conceive and bear a son,
" Nor shalt know thy virgin zone
" Hath been broken ! "
Forewarned by the grace of God
Now, but doubtful of the mode,
She, since naught she understood,
Asks a token.

Fear thou not, O blessed Mary !
Show thy faith, for faith can carry
Thee through this effectually.

Care and doubt, O Mary ! still thou,
Since a mother by God's will thou, 1 5
With no man allied, shalt be.

In a virgin's womb, her Son,
Thus the Word incarnate lay ;
But the nature of the one
Took the other's not away.

O thing most strange and blest !
Love most wonderful indeed !

The Godhead, close compressed,
Lieth in a manger-bed !

O Child exceeding wise !
O Word that whines and cries !

O majestic lowliness !
Both help us and direct.

And, as the Word, protect,
Like us in our fleshly dress !

Mary, who thus God conceivest.
And the sinner's hopes revivest !

After God to hope thou givest
Strength and confidence well-tried.

Jesu, mighty and endearing !
Jesu ! at our head appearing,
Grant we may Thy lot be sharing
By Thy side.

Through Thy mother glorified ! Amen.