The linden tree carol    

1) There stood in heav'n a linden tree;
But, tho' 'twas honey laden,
All Angels cried, 'No bloom shall be
Like that of one fair Maiden.'

2) Sped Gabriel on wingèd feet,
And pass'd through bolted portals
In Nazareth, a Maid to greet,
Blest o'er all other mortals.

3) 'Hail Mary!' quod that Angel mild,
'Of woman-kind the fairest:
The Virgin ay shalt thou be styled,
A babe although thou bearest.'

4) 'How shall I bear a child, that ne'er
With wedded man was mated?
Pray tell me now this infant yhow
Shall He be generated?'

5) 'O Virgin sheen, it shall be seen,
As I announce afore thee:
The Holy Ghost, of virtue most,
Shall cast his shadow o'er thee.'

6) 'So be it!' God's hand-maiden cried,
'According to thy telling.'
Whereon the Angel smartly hied
Up home-ward to his dwelling.

7) This tiding fill'd his mates with glee:
'Twas pass'd from one to other,
That 'twas Marie, and none but she,
And God would call her Mother.