The Queenship of Mary

This is the Image of our Queen

The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin. Velasquez, c1635.
Museo del Prado.

This is the image of our Queen

who reigns in bliss above;

of her who is the hope of men,

whom men and angels love.

Most holy Mary, at thy feet

I bend a suppliant knee;

in this thy own sweet month of May,

do thou remember me.

The homage offered at the feet

of Mary’s image here

to Mary’s self at once ascends

above the starry sphere.

Most holy Mary, at thy feet

I bend a suppliant knee;

in all my joy, in all my pain,

do thou remember me.

How fair so ever be the form

which here your eyes behold,

its beauty is by Mary’s self

excell’d a thousandfold.

Most holy Mary, at thy feet,

I bend a suppliant knee;

in my temptations each and all,

do thou remember me.

Sweet are the flow’rets we have culled,

this image to adorn;

but sweeter far is Mary’s self,

that rose without a thorn.

Most holy Mary, at thy feet

I bend a suppliant knee;

when on the bed of death I lie,

do thou remember me.

O Lady, by the stars that make

a glory round thy head,

and by the pure uplifted hands,

that for thy children plead;

when at the Judgement seat I stand,

and my dread Saviour see,

when waves of night around me roll

and hell is raging for my soul;

do thou remember me.

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.