ROMA MATER SEMPAETERNA

The blue skies bend and are about her furled, A maiden mantle; and with lilies bright The sun daywhiles doth crown her, and at night With stars her garment’s border is empearled. Not a king’s favorite, perfumed and curled, Is half so fair; no queen of martial might So potent as the Mother of the Light, The Mary of the Cities of the World! Eternal Mother, at whose breasts of white The infant Church was suckled and made strong With the sweet milk of heavenly Truth and Love, O thou that art all nations set above, Strengthen us still because the way is long, Mary of Cities, Mother of the Light!