Ecce Ancilla Domini [Behold the blesséd Mary]details

This is that blessed Mary, pre-elect

God’s Virgin. Gone is a great while, and she

Dwelt young in Nazareth of Galilee,

Unto God’s will she brought devout respect,

Profound simplicity of intellect,

And supreme patience. From her mother’s knee

Faithful and hopeful; wise in charity;

Strong in grave peace; in pity circumspect.

So held she through her girlhood; as it were

An angel-watered lily, that near God

Grows and is quiet. Till, one dawn at home

She woke in her white bed, and had no fear

At all,—yet wept till sunshine, and felt awed;

Because the fulness of the time was come.