The Word of God, descending from on high,
Had spoken in the world in days gone by:
For many an ancient Seer in prophecy
Uttered his voice, and gave his warning cry
Against the toils of the Arch-enemy.
Lo, as a watchman on the tower was he.
His voice was as a whirlwind, suddenly
Breaking on those who dealt unfaithfully:
Calling by night and day reproachfully
To such as hearing - heeded not the cry.
Night closed around the world, yet was He by,
The Lord of Hosts, who could alone defy
The darkness of the nations. Verily,
Rode He upon the tempest and did fly
Upon the whirlwind's course, triumphantly.
Vain was the wisdom of the Enemy.
In vain a veil o'er his deformity
In sacred rites he drew around, that he
Might plunge the nations through obscurity
Into the slough of infidelity.
Ev'n in his temples was he fain to see
A light athwart his darkness - Devilry
Turned from its dire intent. So mightily
Rang through his oracle the Lord's decree,
That Sibyls saw, and sang with jubilee.
For, mid the gloom of heathendom rose she
The one fair Guerdon of Virginity,
The one bright Record of the Purity
That needful is for Vision. Blest was she
Till end of time, to whom 'twas given to see
The grand Conception of the Deity;
The Spotless Mirror of Virginity;
Who in the heavens should cause His Light to be
The Day-dawn to the nations; and should be
Virgin and Mother both - inviolably.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote