Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry/A Prayer to the Virgin

A PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN

Gentle Mary, noble maiden, give us help!
Shrine of our Lord's body, casket of the mysteries!

Queen of queens, pure holy maiden,
Pray for us that our wretched transgression be
forgiven for Thy sake.

Merciful one, forgiving one, with the grace of the
Holy Spirit,
Pray with us the true-judging King of the goodly
ambrosial clan.

Branch of Jesse's tree in the beauteous hazel-wood,
Pray for me until I obtain forgiveness of my foul
sins.

Mary, splendid diadem, Thou that hast saved our
race,
Glorious noble torch, orchard of Kings!

Brilliant one, transplendent one, with the deed of
pure chastity,
Fair golden illumined ark, holy daughter from
Heaven!

Mother of righteousness, Thou that excellest all
else,
Pray with me Thy first-born to save me on the
day of Doom.

Noble rare star, tree under blossom,
Powerful choice lamp, sun that warmeth every one.

Ladder of the great track by which every saint
ascends,
Mayst Thou be our safeguard towards the glorious
Kingdom.

Fair fragrant seat chosen by the King,
The noble guest who was in Thy womb three times
three months.

Glorious royal porch through which He was incarnated,
The splendid chosen sun, Jesus, Son of the living
God.

For the sake of the fair babe that was conceived in
Thy womb,
For the sake of the holy child that is High-King in
every place,

For the sake of His cross that is higher than any
cross,
For the sake of His burial when He was buried in
a stone-tomb,

For the sake of His resurrection when He arose
before every one,
For the sake of the holy household from every
place to Doom,

Be Thou our safeguard in the Kingdom of the good
Lord,
That we may meet with dear Jesus—that is our
prayer—hail!