Gabriel, from heaven's king Sent to the maiden sweet, Brought to her blissful tiding And fair 'gan her to greet. 'Hail be thou, full of grace aright! For so God's Son, the heaven's light, Loves man, that He | a man will be | and take Flesh of thee, maiden bright, Mankind free for to make Of sin and devil's might.'
Gently to him gave answer The gentle maiden then: 'And in what wise should I bear Child, that know not man?' The angel said: 'O dread thee nought. 'Tis through the Holy Ghost that wrought Shall be this thing | whereof tidings | I bring: Lost mankind shall be bought By thy sweet childbearing, And back from sorrow brought.'
When the maiden understood And the angel's words had heard, Mildly, of her own mild mood, The angel she answered: 'Our Lord His handmaiden, I wis, I am, that here above us is: And touching me |fulfilled be | thy saw; That I, since His will is, Be, out of nature's law A maid with mother's bliss.'
The angel went away thereon And parted from her sight And straightway she conceived a Son Through th' Holy Ghost His might. In her was Christ contained anon, True God, true man, in flesh and bone; Born of her too | When time was due; | who then Redeemed us for His own, And bought us out of pain, And died for us t'atone.
Filled full of charity, Thou matchless maiden-mother, Pray for us to him that He For thy love above other, Away our sin and guilt should take, And clean of every stain us make And heaven's bliss, | when our time is | to die, Would give us for thy sake; With grace to serve him by Till He us to him take. Amen. | Gabriel to Mary came,1 And entered at her dwelling, With his salutation glad, Her maiden fears dispelling 'All hail, thou queen of virgins bright!2 God, Lord of earth and heaven's height,3 Thy very Son Shall soon be born in pureness, The Saviour of mankind. Thou art the gate of heaven bright, The sinners' healer kind.'
'How could I a mother be That am to man a stranger? How should I my strong resolve, My solemn vows endanger?' 'Pow'r from the Holy Ghost on high4 Shall bring to pass this mystery. Then have no fear: Be of good cheer, Believing That still thy chastity In God's Almighty keeping Shall all unsullied be.'
Then to him the maid replied, With noble mien supernatural 'Lo! the humble handmaid I5 Of God the Lord eternal With thee, bright messenger of heav'n, By whom this wondrous news is giv'n, I well agree And long to see Fulfilled Thy gracious prophecy. As God my Lord doth will it, So be it unto me!"
Hail! thou Mother of the Lord, Who bring'st of gifts the rarest,6 Peace to angels and to men When Christ the Lord thou barest! Do thou, we pray, entreat thy Son For us our long'd redemption Himself to win And from our sin Release us; His succor for to give7 That, when we hence are taken We too in heav'n may live. |