Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/638

 sides, he  adds: Such,  in  short, was Mary,  whose  life  alone is a source  of  instruction  to every  one. Where, then,  we disapprove  not  of  the  Author, let us  approve  of  the  Work; that her  example  may  be copied  by  all  who  wish  to  attain to  her  reward,  &amp;c.

The following  is  from  the Fourth Sermon  of  St.  Bernard upon the  Mission  of  the  Angel to the  blessed  Virgin  Mary.

Turn not  thine  eyes  away from this  Star  (Mary),  if thou  wouldst  not  be  overthrown by  storms. If there arise any  winds  of  temptation, then  look  up  to  the  Star, invoke Mary,  &c. By following her, thou  canst  not lose thy  way;  by  imploring her, thou  canst  not  despair; by thinking  of  her, thou  canst not wander; when  she  upholds thee,  thou  canst  not fall; when  she  protects  thee, thou canst  not  fear;  when she guides  thee, thou  canst  not weary; when she  is  favourable, thou  wilt  attain  thy  end, and so  wilt  thou  experience  in thyself  how  justly  it  was  said, “ And the  Virgin's  name  was Mary”

Hail, Fount  of  mercy,  Mother blest,

Form’d by  th’  adorable  behest

Of God,  the  Three  in  One,

To bear  the  Boundless,  Uncreate

Word of  the  Father,  Incarnate,—

The Mother  of  the  Son!

Our Father.

Rejoice, ye  Heav’ns,  with wonder awed;

Sing, O thou  Earth; ye  Seas, applaud;

With God  let  all  resound;

Creative Pow’r,  all  unrestrain’d,

A Creature’s birth  hath  not disdain’d,

And Earth  hath  gladness found!

Hail Mary.

Oh, happy  and  illustrious,

To God  well  pleasing,  dear to us,

Birth of  th’  Immaculate!

Which caused  the  barren  ones to bear,

And us,  all  stained  with  sin, to share

Life’s marvellous  estate.

Hail Mary.

Oh, excellent,  and  free  from flaw,

She who,  reversing  flesh’s law.

Knows nought  of  shame  or taint;

Break forth  with  joy,  ye  sullen skies;

A Virgin Mother  satisfies

The Patriarch’s  gasping plaint

Hail Mary.

Full happily  the  hour  did shine

When first  this  Morning  Star divine

Death’s murky  shadow scared;

When, now  fulfill’d  His  spotless Birth,