O MATER DULCIS

O MATER DULCIS[1]

In Nazareth, I’d peep some day,

to learn your rare unwonted way

to watch you, with your boy at play,

Dulce ridentem[2].

At even I’d love to linger too,

hearing old mysteries made new,

to learn true pondering from you

Dulce loquentem.[3]

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?[4]

Sister Grace RSU

America.  6 December 1924

---

[1] Oh, sweet Mother

[2] Sweetly laughing

[3] Sweetly speaking

[4] Sweetly mourning