For A Virgin And Child By Hans Memmelinck

(In the Academy of Bruges)
  MYSTERY: God, man's life, born into man
 Of woman. There abideth on her brow
 The ended pang of knowledge, the which now
  Is calm assured. Since first her task began
  She hath known all. What more of anguish than
 Endurance oft hath lived through, the whole space
 Through night till day, passed weak upon her face
  While the heard lapse of darkness slowly ran?
  All hath been told her touching her dear Son,
 And all shall be accomplished. Where He sits
 Even now, a babe, He holds the symbol fruit
 Perfect and chosen. Until God permits,
 His soul's elect still have the absolute
  Harsh nether darkness, and make painful moan.