Irish Jesuit Province

A May MadrigalAuthor(s): Elsa SchmidtSource: The Irish Monthly, Vol. 41, No. 479 (May, 1913), p. 249Published by: Irish Jesuit ProvinceStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20503387 .

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[ 249

A MAY MADRIGAL

WHY are the heav'ns with jewels white, Like daisied meads in May?

Whence hath the sky so new a light, The moon so soft a ray ?

'Tis Mary-time and God doth strow For her these primrose days:

And swift where'er her feet do go The stars like flowers blaze.

Why thrilleth all the earth to song, To deepest melody ?

Methinks the glowing Angels throng To hear such ecstasy.

Tis Mary-time and God doth will That all Creation sing,

For hers the Song that did earth fill, Thro' her God's Word did ring.*

Why smile the lips pale Grief hath kiss'd To mortal set of pain ?

M'ea, whence seem sinners as they wist

Their childhood's peace again ?

'Tis Mary-time; 'Tis Mary-time I Her blessed Moon of Joy /

From hell's gates e'en who will may climb By her to God most high /

ELSA SCHMIDT.

* " My heart hath uttered a good word."?(Ps. xliv, x.)

VOL. XLI.-No. 479 18

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