MEDIÆVAL HYMNS.
159
Adam ate the fruit and died:
But the curse that did betide
All his sons is turned aside
By the Virgin Mary.
For the Word becometh Flesh
By the Virgin Mary.
Noe shut the Ark of old,
When the Flood came, as is told:
Us its doors to-day enfold[1]
By the Virgin Mary.
For the Word becometh Flesh
By the Virgin Mary.
Every creature of the plain
Owned the guileful serpent's reign:
He this happy day is slain
By the Virgin Mary.
For the Word becometh Flesh
By the Virgin Mary.
'Twas the Star the Sun that bore,[2]
Which Salvation should restore;
But pollution ne'er the more
Touched the Virgin Mary.
For the Word becometh Flesh
By the Virgin Mary.
