And Joseph looks around. He seems to be
Yet in the arms of Jesus - yet to be
Touched by the ringers of God's Mother. He
No anguish feeleth; no distress can be
For him in store. He speaks consolingly:
'Fathers, from those I come, whom anxiously
In by-gone ages ye desired to see.
His touch hath healed my infirmity:
Her prayer hath gained this very grace for me
That I, in light am here, to comfort ye.
'Fathers, a little while and we shall see
Himself amongst us. Oh, in verity,
The Lord is gracious. God of Love is He
Who hath redeemed His people - fear not ye;
Who knows us each by name - the Lord is He.
Then doth a chorus rise; a jubilee
Rings in that prison drear: 'Our God is He,
The Holy One, Creator. Verily,
A way made He amid the surging sea.
His promises are sure; the Lord is He,
'Who said: "The floods shall not pass over thee;
The flow of rivers shall not cover thee;
The flames of Hell shall never injure thee;
Though thou shouldst walk therein, it shall not be
That thou shalt be consumed. I am with thee;
'"For I, the Lord thy God, will honour thee;
Thee have I loved; my Life I give for thee;
The deaf shall hear, and all the blind shall see."
We are His witnesses. O God, we be
Thy children. Loose our long captivity.'
Deep answering to deep, and wailingly,
Lo, in the nether distance plaintively
The Women's voices rise: 'Why tarrieth she,
The Star of our Deliverance? She,
Our Life, our Hope, our Advocate to be.'
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote