"Hail, Mary!" thus he cried
With reverent fear;
She, with sweet, wondering eyes
Marvelled to hear.
Be still, ye clouds of heaven!
Be silent, earth!
And hear an angel tell
Of Jesus' birth.
While she, whom Gabriel hails
As full of grace,
Listens with humble faith
In her sweet face.
Be still, Pride, War and Pomp,
Vain Hopes, vain Fear,
For now an angel speaks
And Mary hears.
"Hail, Mary!" lo, it rings
Through ages on;
"Hail, Mary!" it shall sound
Till time is done.
"Hail, Mary!" infant lips
Lisp it to-day;
"Hail, Mary!" with faint smile,
The dying say.
"Hail, Mary!" many a heart
Broken with grief
In that angelic prayer
Has found relief.
And many a half lost soul
When turned at bay,
With those triumphant words
Has won the day.
"Hail, Mary, Queen of Heaven!"
Let us repeat,
And place our snow-drop wreath
Here at her feet.
Adelaide Proctor.