How pure, and frail, and white, The snowdrops shine! Gather a garland bright For Mary's shrine. For, born of winter snows, These fragile flowers Are gifts to our fair Queen From Spring's first hours. For on this blessed day She knelt at prayer; When, lo! before her shone An Angel fair. "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 Fears, 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 snowdrop wreath Here at her feet. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HER EYES by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON SELLING HER ENGAGEMENT RING by KAREN SWENSON SIGISMONDA AND GUISCARDO by GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO EPISTLE TO AUGUSTA by GEORGE GORDON BYRON LAMENT OF THE FRONTIER GUARD by LI PO THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE BIRTH SONG OF CHRIST by EDMUND HAMILTON SEARS |