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.