Dies est laetitiae

Royal Day that chasest gloom !
Day by gladness speeded !
Thou beheld'st from Mary's womb
How the King proceeded ;
Whom, True man, with praise our Choir
Hails, and love, and heart's desire,
Joy and admiration ;
Who, True God, enthroned in light,
Passeth wonder, passeth sight,
Passeth cogitation.

On the Virgin as He hung,
God, the world's Creator,
Like a rose from lily sprung, —
Stood astounded nature :
That a Maiden's arms enfold
Him That made the world of old,
Him That ever liveth :
That a Maiden's spotless breast
To the King Eternal rest,
Warmth and nurture giveth !

As the sunbeam through the glass
Passeth but not staineth,
Thus the Virgin, as she was,
Virgin still remaineth :
Blessed Mother, in whose womb
Lay the Light that exiles gloom,
God, the Lord of Ages ;
Blessed Maid ! from whom the Lord,
Her own Infant, God adored,
Hunger's pangs assuages.