47. The Assumption

Sini^, sing, ye Anir(4 Bands,
All beautiful and brii^ht;
For higher still and higher,
Through fields of starry light,
Mary, your Queen, ascends.
Like the sweet moon at night.

A fairer flower than she
On earth hath never been;
And, save the Throne of God,
Your heavens have never seen
A wonder half so bright
As your ascending Queen!

O happy angels. look,
How beautiful she is!
See! Jesus bears her up,
Her hand is locked in His;
Oh who can tell the height
Of that fair Mother's bliss?

And shall I lose thee then,
Lose my sweet right to thee?
Ah! no — the angels' Queen
Man's Mother still will be,
And thou, u])on thy throne,
Wilt keep thy love for me.

On then, dear Pageant, on!
Sweet music breathes around;
And love like dew distils
On hearts in rapture bound;
The Queen of heaven goes up
To be proclaimed and crowned!

On — throiiffh the countless itars
Proceeds the bright array;
And Love Divine comes forth
To light her on her way,
Through the short gloom of night,
Into celestial day.

The Eternal Father calls
His Daughter to be blest;
The Son His Maiden-Mother
Woos unto His Breast;
The Holy Ghost His Spouse
Beckons into her rest.

Swifter and swifter grows
That marvellous flight of love,
As though her heart were drawu
More vehemently above;
While jubilant angels ])art
A pathway for the Dove!

Hark! hark! through highest heaven
What sounds of mystic mirth!
Mary by God proclaimed
Queen of Immaculate Birth,
And diademed with stars,
The lowliest of the earth!

See! see! the Eternal Hands
Put on her radiant crown,
And the sweet Majesty
Of Mercy sitteth down,
For ever and for ever,
On her predestined throne.