She looks with human eyes Into the eyes of Paradise; Upon her virgin breast the Babe Divine Gazes again into her eyne; O vanity of words to tell The wonder of that spell, The ravishment of bliss Upwelling from the deep abyss Of Love incarnate gazing in the eyes Of his terrestrial paradise! See Heaven within her arms, Gathered against all harms, Innocence by innocence addrest, Virgin love by virgin love carest, The sinless mother and the sinless Son For Heaven and earth to gaze upon! Her living image on her knee, O the depths of her maternity! Her God, her Infant at her breast, O Love beyond all utterance exprest, The Eternal Word in virgin flesh made manifest! V Ye sons of Adam rejoice With exultant voice! Shake off your chains! Arise! The ancient dragon has no power O’er Jesse’s virgin flower, And stricken ’neath a maiden’s sandal lies. Nor may his venomed breath so much As her garment’s outer margin touch; And sin’s torrential flood, That whelmed all Adam’s flesh and blood, Its loathsome stream turns back Before her footsteps’ radiant track. VI Rejoice, children of men! Behold again Your flesh rejuvenate In her immaculate! Rejoice with exceeding joy, For in her free from sin’s alloy Your renovated race In plentitude of grace Dare look again unshamed upon its Maker’s Face! Chosen to bear the Eternal Word, In her your more than dignity restored; In her the more than golden worth Of Eden’s prime when Heaven was linked with earth; Unstained by Adam’s guilty forfeiture, In her your long corrupted flesh made pure; For of her, flesh of flesh and bone of bone, Eternal Love builds up His stainless throne! VII Rejoice and be glad this day! In jubilation lay Your tribute at her feet, Spotless and most meet, The mystic rose of Jesse’s root, To bear the heavenly fruit; Wisdom’s seat and Heaven’s gate, Our surest advocate, Mother of God immaculate! Be glad, O Adam’s clay, Be glad this happy day. And with accordant voice acclaim Our spotless Lady’s stainless fame; Be ye exceeding glad and sing The mother of our King. And though unworthy be my strain, She is too tender not to deign To lend a gracious ear To this her children’s humble prayer: _Mother of Mercy, hear! Mother whose face is likest His, Who our Redeemer is, Grant us one day to share Thy happiness in gazing on His Face, Who found thee without spot and full of grace!_ THE RAISING OF THE FLAG BY CONDÉ BENOIST PALLEN