Oscar Wilde

Ave Maria Gratia Plena

Was this His coming! I had hoped to see
     A scene of wondrous glory, as was told
     Of some great God who in a rain of gold
Broke open bars and fell on Danae:
Or a dread vision as when Semele
     Sickening for love and unappeased desire
     Prayed to see God's clear body, and the fire
Caught her brown limbs and slew her utterly:
With such glad dreams I sought this holy place,
     And now with wondering eyes and heart I stand
     Before this supreme mystery of Love:
Some kneeling girl with passionless pale face,
     An angel with a lily in his hand,
     And over both the white wings of a Dove.