sides, he adds: Such, in short, was Mary, whose life alone is a source of instruction to every one. Where, then, we disapprove not of the Author, let us approve of the Work; that her example may be copied by all who wish to attain to her reward, &c.[1]
The following is from the Fourth Sermon of St. Bernard upon the Mission of the Angel to the blessed Virgin Mary.
Turn not thine eyes away from this Star (Mary), if thou wouldst not be overthrown by storms. If there arise any winds of temptation, then look up to the Star, invoke Mary, &c. By following her, thou canst not lose thy way; by imploring her, thou canst not despair; by thinking of her, thou canst not wander; when she upholds thee, thou canst not fall; when she protects thee, thou canst not fear; when she guides thee, thou canst not weary; when she is favourable, thou wilt attain thy end, and so wilt thou experience in thyself how justly it was said, “ And the Virgin's name was Mary”
DECADE I.
Hail, Fount of mercy, Mother blest,
Form’d by th’ adorable behest
Of God, the Three in One,
To bear the Boundless, Uncreate
Word of the Father, Incarnate,—
The Mother of the Son!
Our Father.
Rejoice, ye Heav’ns, with wonder awed;
Sing, O thou Earth; ye Seas, applaud;
With God let all resound;
Creative Pow’r, all unrestrain’d,
A Creature’s birth hath not disdain’d,
And Earth hath gladness found!
Hail Mary.
Oh, happy and illustrious,
To God well pleasing, dear to us,
Birth of th’ Immaculate!
Which caused the barren ones to bear,
And us, all stained with sin, to share
Life’s marvellous estate.
Hail Mary.
Oh, excellent, and free from flaw,
She who, reversing flesh’s law.
Knows nought of shame or taint;
Break forth with joy, ye sullen skies;
A Virgin Mother satisfies
The Patriarch’s gasping plaint
Hail Mary.
Full happily the hour did shine
When first this Morning Star divine
Death’s murky shadow scared;
When, now fulfill’d His spotless Birth,
- ↑ St. Ambros de Virg. lib. ii.
