Father of Peace, and GOD of Consolation!

The Angel of the Counsel dost Thou send

To herald peace, to manifest Salvation,

Thy Light to pour, Thy knowledge to extend;

Whence, with the morning’s earliest rays,

Lover of men! Thy Name we praise.

’Midst Caesar’s subjects Thou, at his decreeing,

Obey’dst and was enrolled: our mortal race,

To sin and Satan slave, from bondage freeing,

Our poverty in all points didst embrace:

And by that Union didst combine

The earthly with the All-Divine.

Lo! Mary, as the world’s long day was waning,¹⁶¹⁶1st ed.: Behold! the Virgin, prophecy sustaining,

Incarnate Deity conceived and bore;

Virgin in birth, and after birth¹⁷¹⁷1st ed.: Virgin still, remaining

And man to GOD is reconciled once more:

Wherefore in faith her name we bless,

And Mother of our GOD confess.