O Mother of our God, thus stedfastly
May we not fix our loving gaze on thee,
And contemplate our Model? since in thee
The portrait is of true Virginity,
With all the splendour of its Purity.
The loftiest Model of Perfection, see,
Sweet Virgin Mary, would be found in thee.
Not only spotless thy Virginity,
Thy Soul was spotless in simplicity,
Thy Spirit grounded in humility.
Grave in thy words wert thou: thy deeds would be
Marked with a forethought and intensity
The outcome of the Rule Divine in thee.
The Scriptures were thy study: they would be
The only contemplation dear to thee.
Sealed was thy Soul; alone to God would be
Its entrance ever open. Inwardly
His wonders didst thou ponder. Secretly
His words lay in thy heart, and wrought in thee
The full perfection that is found in thee.
Gracious thine outward bearing: ardently
Thou soughtest others' welfare, and wouldst be
The first to aid each one's necessity.
So wide and perfect was thy Charity,
That limit it had none, in verity.
Short was thy rest; and e'en in slumber, see,
Absorbed thy Soul keeps watch; repose for thee
Is still a time for prayer and piety.
Alone thou never wert, since God in thee
Was ever Present, entertaining thee.
Archangels for companions: Prophets, see,
With Holy Scripture e'er surrounding thee.
How couldst thou, Mary, ever lonely be
In whom was wrought Earth's loftiest Mystery,
Who wert its Channel and its Sanctuary?
- text taken from Mary: The Perfect Woman, by Emily Mary Shapcote