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Blessed angel, who spoke the words of a father's ancient bargain, of that bond's peace and health, of a prayer to lead the soul to see, contemplate the vastness of God's vow. My spirit bends before, my mind praises the messenger's Prince--He chose you for this kind office--and even now I take joy in the noble message deeply impressed on that virgin heart. But how I wish I could see her face, gestures, hear her humble answer, timid chaste hesitations, know Heaven's Queen's strong pity and faith as she longs for and accepts with integrity the honor she hears and writes on her heart. |
An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition |
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Notes: From V CIV:264. See also B S1:131:150; MSs V2 (Ve2), RA; Valgrisi 132. Translation: Bainton 207. Reference: Matt. 1:20-3; Luke 1:28-37. I have included this in the series to the Virgin Mary as the twelfth: while VC addresses the Angel of the Annunciation, Gabriel, her poem is about the Virgin Mary with whom, again, VC identifies. Key |
