AMPHORA 
 
VII 
 
In Partu 
 
 
 THOU whose Son hath mastered the dread King, 
 The curse of Eve, the serpent of desire ! 
Aid Thou thy servant in her travailing ! 
Ease Thou the dolour dire ! 
 
O Thou whose life brought Light into the Light, 
Be with us now to comfort and console 
That this Thy servant, through Thy maiden might, 
Achieve the goodly goal ! 
 
Or, if Thy pleasure be to take from earth 
Thy servant to Thy holy house above, 
That Thou mayst hold her, safe in happier birth, 
In Thine especial love :— 
 
Or, if Thy pleasure be to take the child 
To join Thy choir of innocents in Heaven, 
We do assure Thee, Virgin undefiled, 
The gift is freely given. 
 
O
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