Religion

Salve, Sancta Parens!

by Anonymous (Middle English) c. 13th–16th century

Translated by Jessie L. Weston (1914) · From The Chief Middle English Poets (1914)

Religion

Hail, lovely Lady, leman bright,
Mighty Mother, and Maiden mild,
Who bare within thy body bright
At once thy Maker, and thy Child,
And yet wert Maiden undefiled —
Rose and Root of true reverence,
Wit and Wisdom unbeguiled,
Salve, Sancta Parens

Hail for the joy when Gabriel,
Chieftain chosen in chastitie,
Low on his knees before thee fell,
And spake with great solemnitie
"Hail full of grace, God is with thee,
Thou shalt conceive without offence,
For all time blessed shalt thou be —
Salve, Sancta Parens I

Hail, Empress high of Heaven and Hell!
When of that angel's tidings fair
Elisabeth didst speed to tell
Right joyful was the meeting there.
He leapt for joy, the babe she bare,
For John of Jesus was gaudens,
Thus Queen, to thee I make my prayer,
Salve, Sancta Parens!

Hail, Maiden, hope of men forlorn;
In Eastern skies there shone a Star,
To Bethlehem, when thy Babe was born,
It led three kings from lands afar.
Rich offerings for thy Child they bare
Of gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
To thee I sing, as I did ere,
Salve, Sancta Parens!

Hail, Woman crowned with Weal and Woe,
Whenas the Passion-tide drew nigh
And dole and dread thy Son must know
That Man be saved eternally;
When, on His Resurrection Day
He saw thee erst in His Presence,
In gracious wise He spake alway:
' ' Salve, Sancta Parens"

"Hail, holy Mother!" Sooth to say
Thus spake Our Lord, in fashion meet,
To Mary, and then went His Way,
Nor did henceforth Our Lady greet.
And Holy Church, she knoweth why,
As clerks declare it in sequence,
It draweth me to thee, Mary —
Salve, Sancta Parens

Hail, crowned Queen of Heaven and Hell
Hail, true Love to the Trinitie
Thou Darling dear, dight us to dwell
In Paradise, that fair citie.
Princess sans peer, of thy pitie,
Put us in peace when we pass hence,
That we may sing with joy to thee,
Salve, Sancta Parens!

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One of the religious poems that Weston draws from the Vernon MS. (Bodleian Library), edited by Horstmann and Furnivall as Minor Poems of the Vernon MS. (Early English Text Society, vols. 98 and 117).

MLA

Anonymous (Middle English). “Salve, Sancta Parens!” Translated by Jessie L. Weston. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-middle-english/112/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Middle English). “Salve, Sancta Parens!” Translated by Jessie L. Weston. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-middle-english/112/.

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