Page:Dreams and Images.djvu/213

 Gathered against all harms, Innocence by innocence addrest, Virgin love by virgin love carest, The sinless mother and the sinless Son For Heaven and earth to gaze upon! Her living image on her knee, O the depths of her maternity! Her God, her Infant at her breast, O Love beyond all utterance exprest, The Eternal Word in virgin flesh made manifest!

V

Ye sons of Adam rejoice With exultant voice! Shake off your chains! Arise! The ancient dragon has no power O'er Jesse's virgin flower, And stricken 'neath a maiden's sandal lies. Nor may his venomed breath so much As her garment's outer margin touch; And sin's torrential flood, That whelmed all Adam's flesh and blood, Its loathsome stream turns back Before her footsteps' radiant track.

VI

Rejoice, children of men! Behold again Your flesh rejuvenate In her immaculate! Rejoice with exceeding joy, For in her free from sin's alloy Your renovated race