Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918/A Hymn to the Virgin

by Anonymous

c. 1300

Of on^[1] that is so fayr and bright
          Velut maris stella,
Brighter than the day is light
                    Parens et puella:
Ic crie to the, thou see to me,
Levedy,^[2] preye thi Sone for me,
                    Tam pia
That ic mote come to thee
                    Maria.

Al this world was for-lore
                    Eva peccatrice,
Tyl our Lord was y-bore
                    De te genetrice.
With ave it went away
Thuster^[3] nyth and cometh the day
                    Salutis;
The welle springeth ut of the
                    Virtutis.

Levedy, flour of alle thing,
                    Rosa sine spina,
Thu bere Jhesu, hevene king,
                    Gratia divina:
Of alle thu berst the pris,^[4]
Levedy, quene of paradys
                    Electa
Mayde milde, Moder es
                    Effecta.

 

1. on] one.
2. levedy] lady.
3. thuster] dark.
4. pris] prize.