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 Womb all holy, wherein lowly assumed a form of clay— Bosom blesséd, where caresséd Heaven's King almighty lay.

Womb grace-teeming, whence redeeming Love embraced a fallen race,— Breast untainted, where the Sainted Spirit made His resting place.

Here infanéd God once deignéd Human nature to indue,— Here incloséd the Espouséd Did assume a figure new;

Nature rises, laws despises, Rapt in overwhelming grace: Things preceding all unheeding In the present Virgin's case.

Breast adoréd, whence out-pouréd Food for our Incarnate Lord, At whose bidding fruit for feeding Every age doth earth afford.

Hail! thou fairest, Mother dearest, Love's beginning, crown, and end, Pray of Jesus, to release us, And His healing balm to send,