To The Virgin He Sends

A Morning Hymn for the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Words: Mittit ad Virginem, Attributed to Peter Abelard, with notes and music
Translation by John Mason Neale
Compare translation by Rev. R. F. Littledale, He Sends To The Virgin No Lowlier Angel

Music: Tune 1: Sequence from the Salisbury Gradual.
Tune 2: Another letting of the same melody From the Salisbury Gradual; Harmonised by the Rev. S. S. Greatheed.

Source: Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #90  (Combined Edition #90), pp. 186-188.

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David ;
and the Virgin's name was Mary."
S. Luke 1: 26-27.

1. ^a To the Virgin He sends
    No inferior Angel ;
But Gabriel He summons,
    His Might, His Archangel ;
        ^b He, Lover of Men.

2. ^c And mighty must needs be
    The Messenger sent,
^d By whom shall the order
    Of nature be bent,
        When a Virgin shall bear.

3. The King's Natal glory
    Shall Nature o'er sway ;
^e Let Him reign, let Him conquer,
    ^f By purging away
        The dross of corruption.

4. ^g Let Him cast every haughty one
    Down from his seat,
^h In His might on the mighty ones
    Setting his feet,—
       ⁱ The Victor in battle.

5. ^k Let Him east out the Monarch
    Whom this world obeys ;
^l To the Throne of the Father
    His Bride let Him raise,
        To be sharer with Him.

6. ^m Go forth on thy message,
    These gifts to unfold ;
ⁿ From the letter of Scripture
    ^o The veil shall be rolled,
        By the might of thy word.

7. Draw nigh, —speak the tidings,—
    ^p Say Hail ! to her now ;
And say, Highly favoured,
    And say, Fear not thou,
        And, The Lord is with thee.

8. Receive then, O Virgin,
    The gift God ordains,
^q While yet the firm purpose
    Unaltered remains
        Of thy chastest resolve.

9. The word she receiveth,
    ^r That lowliest one,
^s Believeth, conceiveth,
    ^t And beareth The Son ;
        ^u And His Name shall be called

10. Wonderful, Counsellor,
    Lord God of Hosts ;
The Father Eternal,
    ^v The Monarch Who boasts
        A Kingdom of peace.

Notes from The Words of the Hymnal Noted Complete With Scriptural References (London: J. A. Novello and J. Masters, no date, circa 1855), pp. 107-108.

a. S. Luke i. 26. Return

b. Wis. xl. 26. Return

c. Psalm ciii. 20. Return

d. Isaiah lxvi. 7, 8. Return

e. 1 Cor. xv. 25. Rev. vi. 2. Return

f. Isaiah i. 25. Return

g. 1 Sam. ii. 8. S. Luke i. 52. Isaiah xxvi. 5. Return

h. Josh. x. 24. Return

i. Psalm xxiv. 8. Return

k. S. John xii. 31. Return

l. Psalm xlv. 6. Return

m. Jer. i. 7. Return

n. 2 Cor. iii. 8. Return

o. 2 Cor. iii. 14, 16. Return

p. S. Luke i. 28, 30. Return

q. S. Luke 1. 34. Return

r. S. Luke. i. 48. Psalm cxxxviii. 6. Return

s. S. Luke i. 45. Return

t. S. Matt. i. 23. Return

u. Isaiah ix. 6. Return

v. Cant. iii. 11. Return

Note.

According to a note in Thomas Helmore, Accompanying Harmonies to the Hymnal Noted. Part I (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., and Masters and Son, 1852), Part II (London: Novello and Co., Joseph Masters and J. T. Hayes, 1858), p. iv-v, this hymn "A sequence, by Peter Abelard."

Sheet Music From Arthur Henry Brown, ed., The Altar Hymnal. London: Griffith, Farrar, Okeden & Welsh, 1885, #78. pp. 255-259.

Sheet Music from Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #95, pp. 186-188.

Sheet Music from Thomas Helmore, Accompanying Harmonies to the Hymnal Noted. Part I (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., and Masters and Son, 1852), Part II (London: Novello and Co., Joseph Masters and J. T. Hayes, 1858), #95, pp. 311-319.

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