HAIL MARIA, PEARL OF GRACE

Hail Mary, Pearl of Grace,\nPure flower of Adam’s race,\nAnd vessel rare of God’s election;\nUnstained as virgin snow,\nSerene as sunset glow –\nWe sinners crave thy sure protection.\n2. Thou Queen of high estate,\nConceived immaculate\nTo form Incarnate Love’s pure dwelling;\nThe Spirit found His rest\nWithin thy sinless breast,\nAnd thence flow joys beyond all telling.\n3. A fairer, purer Eve,\nDidst thou her fall retrieve,\nFor man’s debt giving God in payment:\nThy spotless feet are pressed\nUpon the Serpent’s crest –\nGod’s stars thy crown, his sun thy raiment.\n4. Through his clear blood who died,\nBy sinners crucified,\nArt thou preserved, and we forgiven,\n86\nHelp us to conquer sin,\nThat we may enter in,\nThrough thee, the golden gate, to heaven.