Most Reticent of Women, how may be
Expressed the grace of thy Humility?
Thy perfect Self-annihilation? See,
How in the Gospel narrative may be
Scarce found a clue to this identity.
The Public Life of Jesus following, we
Through changing scenes are led, but naught of thee
Transpires to draw the childlike soul to thee:
But silence, more than words doth tell of thee
In witness to thy word's fidelity.
The Secret of that Birth Divine, to thee
Alone confided; with what modesty
And self-renunciation do we see
Thy Grace revealed in that sweet Mystery;
How 'All for Jesus' would thy motto be.
The Word-made-Flesh it was, assuredly,
Who clothed thee with a Grace becoming thee;
For not till later years when John should be
To write inspired, would all the glory be
Of that Conception fully taught by thee.
Long years of intimate fidelity
Had taught the Loved Disciple that which he
Declared in Words majestic - like to thee -
Who, from the Word Himself, immediately,
Had learned the Secrets of this Mystery.
'From the Beginning was the Word; and He
The Word with God was found: in verity,
The Word was God; and lo, the Same is He
The World's Creator, and alone is He
The Life, who came Man's very life to be.
'Come is the Life; the Light of Light is He
That shone in darkness - ah, obscurity
That glory understood not' Would not he,
John, the Beloved Disciple, learn from thee
The fulness of that Word's Sublimity?
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote