The women around the crib now draw back the curtains that have, until this moment, kept it concealed from view, and, showing to the shepherds the divine Infant reclining in the manger, sing these words: “Adest hic parvulus cum matre sua de quo dudum vaticinando Isaïas dixerat propheta: Ecce virgo concipiet et pariet filium: euntes dicite quod natus est”—“Here is the little Child and his Mother of whom of old Isaias prophesied: Behold, [pg 505] a Virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son; go forth and announce that he is born.” The shepherds salute the Virgin and Child, and sing the following charming little carol in honor of the Virgin Mother:
Salve Virgo singularis;
Virgo manens, Deum paris,
Ante sæcla generatum
Corde patris;
Adoremus nunc creatum
Carne matris.
Nos, Maria, tua prece
A peccati purga fece;
Nostri cursum incolatus