Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ANNUNCIATION, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER Poet's Biography First Line: How pure, and frail, and white Last Line: Here at her feet. Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary Subject(s): Annunciation, The; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Women - Bible; Virgin Mary | ||||||||
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...MADONNA by KATHARINE LEE BATES BALLADE TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA by HILAIRE BELLOC OUR LORD AND OUR LADY by HILAIRE BELLOC PLASTIC BEATITUDE by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A SONG OF MARY by LUCILLE CLIFTON ISLAND MARY by LUCILLE CLIFTON MARY'S DREAM by LUCILLE CLIFTON A DOUBTING HEART by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER |
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