Classic Poem

Mary, Mother of our Maker,
Daughter sprung from kingly David,
Bearing for us the New Adam;
Ancient Adam's race renewing.
God's true Mother we confess thee;
Hail, as God, the Child thou bearest;
With the angel's words we greet thee,
Echoing his note of gladness.
Dwelling-place of Light, be gladsome;
Temple, where the true Sun dwelleth;
Throne of God, rejoice, that bearest
Him, the Word of the Almighty.
Heaven, exalted o'er the heavens
Than the cherubim far higher;
From the soaring seraph's pinion
Is thy wondrous mystery hidden.
Home of him that none may compass;
Hostel, where the Sun finds resting;
Dwelling of the Fire of Glory,
Where the Word finds fleshly clothing.
Seers of old in figures saw thee;
Moses' Bush which flames consumed not;
Great Isaias' Virgin bearing,
And Ezechiel's fastened Portal.
Daniel's great Stone-bearing Mountain;
Solomon's fair Hill of Incense;
Fountain sealed for him that keeps it;
Garden closed for him that plants it.
Gideon in the Fleece beheld thee;
David saw the Rain descending;
And Micheas, Bethlehem's glory
Saw, and said, " from thence he cometh."
Noah's Ark, the true, the living,
Tent of Abraham, our father;
Ark of Covenant and Mercy;
Lamp, where wondrous light is burning.
God's own Garden, fair with blossoms;
Spikenard of the Spirit's sweetness;
Valley, where the lily bloometh;
Fountain, whence the four streams issue;
Censer of the sweetest incense
Where the fourfold spices mingle,
Whence amid the saints in glory,
Like sweet smoke thy prayer ascendeth.
Lo, we pray thee, Life's own Mother,
From the stain of sin to cleanse us,
By thy prayer to God our Maker —
Unto whom the praise and glory.