A Selection of English Marian Verse for Devotions

[Bithynian]

Several years ago, I began reciting two or three stanzas of Marian hymns, poetry and other verse after the Salve Regina at the end of the rosary. I felt that an element of variety prevented mechanical recitation and made meditation more edifying.

Initially I recited other, lesser known Latin verse, including Tota Pulchra Es (You are all beautiful [Mary]). I also incorporated Greek verse such as the ancient Akathist and the much newer (20th century) Agni Parthene (O Virgin Pure).

I then began collecting Marian verse originally composed in English. I noticed three things:

1. The range of compositions is quite numerous, in spite of the Reformation and the adverse environment it created for Marian devotion in English-speaking countries;
2. Even Protestants, such as John Milton (Puritan and author of Paradise Lost), composed Marian verse. They even imitated the Italianate style of the Counter-Reformation.
3. English-language Marian verse is generally unknown and unused amongst most modern day English-speaking Catholics and Anglicans. I think this is largely associated with the decline in the popularity of poetry reading in the latter half of the 20th century.

It’s very unfortunate because there is a great quantity of theologically rich and complex verse that can be enriching for devotional use. In connection to this, I thought it might be helpful for others if I made available some selections of the verse. To keep it manageable, I’ll post a selection every other day or so rather than create a deluge of content in one day.

Edit: I would also be greatly appreciative of others from different language backgrounds sharing Marian hymns, poetry and verse that aren’t widely known in English!

 

[Bithynian]

Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo! faithful Virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though he there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He’ll wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death’s force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son, and Brother;
Whom thou conceivest, conceived; yea, thou art now
Thy Maker’s maker, and thy Father’s mother,
Thou hast light in dark, and shutt’st in little room
Immensity, cloister’d in thy dear womb.

John Donne (d. 1631)
‘Annunciation’

 

[Bithynian]

In the wrecks of Walsingham
Whom should I choose
But the Queen of Walsingham
To be my guide and muse!

Then, the Prince of Walsingham,
Grant me to my frame
Bitter plaints to rue thy wrong,
Bitter woe for thy name.

Bitter was it, O to see
The silly sheep
Murdered by the ravenous wolves
While the shepherd did sleep.

Bitter was it, O to view
The sacred wine,
Whilst the gardeners play all close,
Rooted up by the swine.

Bitter, bitter, O to behold
The grass to grow
Where the walls of Walsingham
So stately did show.

Such were the worth of Walsingham
While she did stand,
Such are the wrecks as now do show
Of that Holy Land.

Level, level, with the ground
The towers do lie,
Which, with their golden glittering tops,
Pierced out to the sky.

Where were gates are no gates now,
The ways unknown
Where the press of friars did pass
While her flame was blown.

Owls do screech where the sweetest hymns
Lately were sung,
Toads and serpents hold their dens
Where the palmers did throng.

Weep, wee, O Walsingham,
Whose days are nights,
Blessings turned to blasphemies,
Holy deeds to despites.

Sin is where Our Lady sat,
Heaven is turned to hell,
Satan sits where Our Lord did sway
— Walsingham, O farewell!

Attributed to Saint Philip Howard, 13th Earl of Arundel (d. 1595)
‘The Wrecks of Walsingham’

Yesterday, the 4th of May, was the Feast of the Matyrs and England and Wales. In the thread by @IanM there is a painting by the English artist Daphne Pollen. The 5th person (figure 31 in the numerical key) from the right is Saint Philip.

Walsingham, prior to its destruction during the Reformation in 1538, was well known as a site of unique artistic activity, with a particular culture of Marian ballads celebrating the appearance of Our Lady of Walsingham to Lady Richeldis de Faverches.

This poem, along with other Walsingham ballads, was in wide circulation after the shrine’s destruction as part of lamentation literature. It is unknown if ‘The Wrecks of Walsingham’ was truly authored by Saint Philip though he has been its common attribution. It is believed that he wrote it when accompanying Queen Elizabeth (his distant cousin) on a royal procession through Norfolk in 1578.