17. NOËL, NOËL, NOËL, NOËL NOEL, Noël, Noël, Noël, This is the salutation of Gabriel! Tidings true there be come new, sent from the Trinity A clean maiden and pure virgin thoro' her humility Noël. When he first presented was before her fair visage The which of thee born would be, I am sent on message.' Noël. 'Hail, virgin celestial, the meekest that ever was; Hail, temple of deity, and mirror of all grace; Hail, virgin pure, I thee ensure within full little space Thou shalt receive and Him conceive that shall bring great solace.' Noël. Then again to the angel she answered womanly, 'Whatever my lord command me do, I will obey meekly; Ecce sum bumillima ancilla Domini, Secundum verbum tuum, she said, fiat mihi.' Noël. 18. OF A ROSE, A LOVELY ROSE F a rose, a lovely rose, 0% Of a rose is all my song. Listen, lordings, both eld and ying, In all this world ne know I none. The angel came from heaven's tower That should break the fiendes bond. The flower sprung in high Bethlem, Out of her bosom the blossom sprung. The firste branch is full of might, The second branch sprung to hell, Blessed be the time the rose sprung. Of a Rose, a Lovely Rose The third branch is good and swote, Every day it showeth in priestës hand. Pray we to her with great honour, She that bare the blessed flower, She be our help and succoúr, And shield us from the fiendës bond. |