A life all hid in Jesus, lo, we see
Accomplished is from first to last in thee.
Hidden - yet glowing with a brilliancy
All time shall fill, all ages glorify,
God's bright Ideal in Humanity.
Thy soul so human hath been rapt on high,
Hath touched the sceptre of our destiny;
Which touch hath quickened and exalted thee
The while its greatness overshadowed thee,
Of all His works the sweetest Mystery.
Flesh art thou of our flesh, yet canst thou be
Than Angels purer in thy Purity,
Under the law of Adam's race; yet see,
Bearing the seal of deathless entity;
Yet for obedience, dying lovingly.
The Partner art thou of Redemption. He
Whom thou hast borne hath died for us and thee.
And thou for love of Him wilt die, and be
The perfect Sharer of the destiny
Which raised from death to life the human Tree.
Thy work in life is done. Yet verily,
What here hath been begun, unendingly
Shall be continued. God's Own Word in thee
Incarnate was; His every Word in thee
Creative is of deathless energy.
Yet in thy virginal simplicity,
Naught of the honours heaped in store for thee,
Naught of the splendours now awaiting thee,
Naught of the endless glory shared by thee
Stirs thy least secret longing, verily.
E'en at Its Source, the Lode-star drawing thee
Is Uncreated Love. What bliss for thee
Dying, to live indeed; with Him to be
United; by His Side inseparably.
Then sleep, sweet Mother, for He calleth thee.
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote