Sequence 97. Of the Blessed Virgin

MARY, hail ! the world's hope truly !
Hail, so gentle ! hail, so holy !

Hail, full filled with every grace !
Virgin, hail ! o'er all elected !

Who art by that bush depicted,
On which fire could leave no trace !

Hail, thou fair one !
Rose of Sharon !

Rod of Jesse ! hail to thee,
Whose fruit ever
Doth deliver
Man from bonds of misery !

Hail to thee, who didst produce,
Contrary to nature's use,
From within thy womb a Son !

Hail to thee who hast no peers !
Who for earth so long in tears
Hast once more true gladness won !

Hail, thou lamp to virgins given !
Through which shone the light of heaven
Unto those in darkness laid !

Virgin, hail ! who first to bear Him,
And, when born, with milk to rear Him,
By the King of Heaven wast bade !

Hail, thou bright gem that lightest up the sky !
Hail, the blest Spirit's holiest sanctuary !

How unlike human ways,
How worthy all our praise,
Is that virginity.

With the sweet Spirit's aid
A fruitful parent made,
Brilliant exceedingly !

O how lovely, O how holy,
O how kind, how charming truly,
Is that Virgin held to be
Through whom bondage here is ended.

Heaven's bright portal wide extended.
And renewed man's liberty !

O chastity's pure lily ! speak,
And from thy Son in worship seek,
Who is the Saviour of the meek,
OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. xyj
That He of all our misdeeds ne'er
May in the tearful judgment there
Cause us the punishment to bear ;
But at thy devout petition
Cleanse us from sin's foul condition,
And convey us to light's dwelling :
With " Amen " all lips be swelling !