The Archangel's Second Visit

The Archangel's Second Visit

Six months, and, sent again from God,

The angel Gabriel came

To a city of fair Galilee,

And Nazareth by name,

To a virgin, spouse to Joseph

Of David's royal race;

And the virgin's name was Mary,

Whose life was truth and grace.

The angel entered softly,

Where Mary sat alone,

Saying: "Hail! the Lord is with thee,

Thou highly favored one."

But, when she saw the stranger,

Mary was troubled sore;

For such a salutation

She ne'er had heard before.,

But: "Fear not," said the angel,

"For, Mary, thou hast found

Favor with God, whose goodness

And mercy doth abound.

"And thou art greatly honored,

For God hath chosen thee

To nurse the high, anointed One

Whose name shall Jesus be.

"He shall be great, and shall be called

The high Jehovah's Son

And the Lord God shall give to Him

His father David's throne.

"And he shall reign o'er Jacob's house

For ever evermore;

His Kingdom still shall flourish

When earthly reigns are o'er.

"Behold," he said, "Elizabeth,

Thy cousin, good and kind,

I've also promised her a son,

And the promise true she'll find.

"For God is the omnipotent,

All power is in His hand,

And nothing is imposible

To His Divine command."

Then Mary meekly said: "Behold

The handmaid of the Lord;

And let the honor be to me

According to thy word."

The angel then departed--

Ascending up above--

And left the gentle virgin bowed

In humble trust and love.