Poems (Osgood)/Hymn to the Virgin

by Frances Sargent Osgood

HYMN TO THE VIRGIN.

 Mother of the spirit-child!
  Of the guileless and the meek
 Mournful are thine eyes, but mild
   With a beauty from above;
   Pale, but eloquent with love,
  Thy youthful brow and cheek!
Thou, oh! thou hast known a parent's wasting grief
A suppliant parent kneels, imploring thy relief!

 By the pure and solemn joy
  Filling all thy maiden breast,
 When the precious heaven-born boy,
   Glowing with celestial charms,
   Lay within those virgin arms
  A bright and wondrous guest!
Hear, in mercy, hear the faltering voice of grief!
A suppliant mother kneels, imploring thy relief!

 By thine anguish in that hour,
  Hour of wo and dread, when Death
 Dared to stay the awful power,
   High, majestic, yet benign;
   Dared to seal the truths divine
  Which dwelt upon his breath!
By thy hope, thy trust, thy rapture, and thy grief,
Oh! sainted Marie! send this breaking heart relief!