O aptly named, Illustrious One! <br />Thou art that flower fair <br />That filled this vast and changeful world <br />With mystic perfume rare— <br />Shedding on all the balmy breath <br />Of countless virtues high, <br />Rising like fragrant odours rich, <br />To God’s far, beauteous sky. <br /> <br />Mystical Rose! O aptly named! <br />For, as ’mid brightest flowers <br />The lovely Rose unquestioned reigns <br />The Queen of Nature’s bowers, <br />So ’mid the daughters fair of Eve <br />Art thou the peerless One! <br />The chosen handmaid of the Lord! <br />The Mother of His Son! <br /> <br />Yes, He endowed thee with all gifts <br />Which could thy beauty grace; <br />And ne’er did sin, e’en for one hour, <br />Thy spotless soul deface, <br />For from the first thou had’st the power <br />God’s fav’ring love to win; <br />It was His will that thou should’st be <br />Conceived devoid of sin. <br /> <br />Oh, Mother dear, obtain for us <br />That we from evil flee; <br />Throughout this, fleeting life’s career <br />Mayst thou our model be! <br />Seek we to imitate the gifts <br />That thy pure soul adorn— <br />Sweet flower of beauty and of grace! <br />Fair Rose without a thorn!<br /><br />Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mystical-rose-pray-for-us/
