AVE MARIA

Lady, thy soldier I would be, This day I choose thy shield, And go, thrice-armored for the fight, Forth to the world’s wide field.

There I shall meet the dark allies, The Flesh, the Fiend, the World, And fiercely shall their darts of fire Upon my heart be hurled. But I will raise my buckler strong Betwixt me and the foe, And, with the spirit’s flaming sword, Shall give them blow for blow. Lady, thy sailor I would be, This day I sign my name To sail the high seas of the earth For glory of thy fame. The tempest may besiege my bark, The pirate lie in wait: The perils of the monstrous deep May tempt o’erwhelming fate: Yet, wheresoe’er my ship may steer Upon the waters wide, Thy name shall be my compass sure, Thy star my midnight guide. Thy poet, Lady, I would be To sing thy peerless praise; Thy loyal bard, I’d bring to thee Heart-music from all lays. Soft melody, outpoured in June By God’s dear feathered throng, Would mingle with the organ’s roll To glorify my song;

And Dante’s voice and Petrarch’s strain And Milton’s matchless line Would lend to my poor minstrel note A harmony divine. Lady, I choose to be thy son; For Mother thee I choose; O, for thy sweet and holy Child, Do not my claim refuse! Alone and motherless am I: Tho’ strong, I long for rest— The thunder of the world’s applause Is not a mother’s breast. Ave Maria! Shield us all. Thy sons we choose to be. Mother of grace, we raise our hearts, Our hearts, our love to thee!