Ave Maria Gratia Plena

Was this His coming! I had hoped to see

      A scene of wondrous glory, as was told

      Of some great God who in a rain of gold

Broke open bars and fell on Danae:

Or a dread vision as when Semele

      Sickening for love and unappeased desire

      Prayed to see God's clear body, and the fire

Caught her brown limbs and slew her utterly:

With such glad dreams I sought this holy place,

      And now with wondering eyes and heart I stand

      Before this supreme mystery of Love:

Some kneeling girl with passionless pale face,

      An angel with a lily in his hand,

      And over both the white wings of a Dove.

Florence.