[Autour des autels de Marie Nous ses enfants, empressons-nous; A cette Mère si chérie, Adressons les voeux les plus doux. Qu'une vive et sainte allégresse Nous anime dans ce saint jour; Il n'existe point de tristesse Pour un coeur plein de son amour. Ornons des fleurs ce sanctuaire, Parons son autel révéré, Redoublons d'efforts pour lui plaire. Que ce mois lui soi, consacré; Que le parfume de ces couronnes Forme un encens délicieux, Qui s'élevant jusqu'à son trône, Lui porte et nos coeurs et nos voeux. Que le nom sacré de Marie Soit pour nous un nom de salut; Que toujours notre âme attendrie, D'amour lui paie un doux tribut. Unissons-nous aux choeurs des anges, Pour mieux célébrer sa beauté. Et puissent nos chants de louanges Retentir dans l'éternité. O Vierge sainte! ô notre Mère! Veillez sur nous du haut des cieux; Et de ce séjour de misère, Quand nous vous présentons nos voeux, O douce, ô divine Marie! Prêtez l'oreille à nos soupirs;-- Et faites qu'après cette vie, Nous goûtions d'immortels plaisirs. --"Cantiques à l'usage des Confréries." Paris, 1839, p. 175.] In the course of the present work I have already suggested the propriety of trying the real import, {353} the true intent, and meaning and force of an address to a Saint, by substituting the holiest name ever uttered on earth, for the name of the Saint to whom such address is offered; and if the same words, without any change, form a prayer fit to be offered by us sinners to the Saviour of the world, then to ask ourselves, Can this be right? I would earnestly recommend the application of the same test here; and in many other of the prayers now offered (for many such there are now offered) by Roman Catholics to the Virgin. Suppose, instead of offering these songs of praise and prayer, and self-devotion to Mary in the month of May, we were to offer them, on the day of his nativity, to our blessed Lord, would they not form an act of faith in Him as our Saviour and our God? "Around the altar of Jesus, Let us, his children, press; To that Saviour so endeared Let us address the sweetest prayers. {354} Let a lively and holy mirth Animate us in this holy day: There exists no sadness For a heart full of his love. Let the holy name of Jesus Be for us a name of salvation! Let our softened soul Ever pay to HIM a sweet tribute of love. O holy Jesus! O our Saviour! Watch over us from the height of heaven; And when from this sojourning of misery, We present our prayers to Thee; O sweet, O divine Redeemer, Lend an ear to our sighs; and after this life, Make Thou us to taste of immortal pleasures." * * * * * SECTION III.--BONAVENTURA.