O MATER DULCIS

O MATER DULCIS 

In Nazareth, I'd peep some day,

to learn your rare unwonted way

to watch you, with your boy at play,

Dulce ridentem.

At even I'd love to linger too,

hearing old mysteries made new,

to learn true pondering from you

Dulce loquentem.

And dare I ask that it might be

my grace to feel awake in me

that love, which held thee by the tree,

Dulce dolentem?

Sister Grace RSU

America. 6 December 1924

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O Mater Dulcis - O sweet Mother

Dulce ridentem - Sweetly laughing

Dulce loquentem - Sweetly speaking

Dulce dolentem - Sweetly mourning