VERSES WRITTEN UNDER A PRINT by JOHN BYROM

SEE represented here, in light and shade,
The angel's visit to the blessed maid;—
To Mary, destin'd, when the time should come,
To bear the Saviour in her virgin womb;—
Explaining to her the mysterious plan
Of man's redemption—@3his becoming man.@1

When ev'ry previous wonder had been done,
The virgin then was to conceive a Son;
And to prepare her for the grand event,
From God, his Father, Gabriel was sent,
To hail the chosen organ of his birth
Of @3God with us@1,—of JESUS upon earth.

Unable to express celestial things
Imagination adds expanded wings
To human form exact, and beauteous face;
Which angels have, but with angelic grace,
Free from all grossness and defect; nor seen,
But with a pure chaste eye, divinely keen.

Such Mary's was, whose posture here design'd
The most profound humility of mind;
Modestly asking how the thing could be;
And saying, when inform'd of God's decree,
@3Behold the handmaid of the Lord! His will
Let Him, according to thy word, fulfil.@1

What fair instruction may the scene impart
To them who look beyond the painter's art!
Who, in th' angelic message from above,
See the revealing of God's gracious love
To ev'ry soul, that yields itself to all
That pleases Him. whatever may befall!

Whatever circumstance of heav'nly grace
Might be peculiar to the virgin's case,
That holy thing, that saves a soul from sin,
Of God's good Spirit @3must be born within:@1
For @3all salvation is@1, upon the whole,
@3The birth of@1 JESUS @3in the human soul.@1

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