O behold the angel flying

1 O behold the Angel flying,
From the shining courts above;
Gabriel with a message smiling,
In the softest strains of love.

2 See him bending toward the city,
Where the Virgin Mary dwelt;
See the tender love and pity,
Holy Angels for us felt.

3 Hear the Angel speaking to her,
Hail thou blessed virgin hail;
I m come with happy tidings,
See the promise cannot fail.

4 Happy virgin the most chosen
You must bear the son of God;
Christ must leave his native heaven,
And must make the promise good.

5 Yet we find the frighted virgin,
Cast it in her mind to know,
The manner of the salutation,
And what God would haver her do.

6 Hear the Angel further speaking
Fear not Mary, thou hast found
Favour in the sight of heaven,
Good will echoes, hear the sound.

7 O methinks the air around her,
Smelt as sweet as Sharon's rose,
While the heavens did surround her,
And the glorious scene disclose.

8 See the virgin's sweet submission,
Here behold thy hand-maid Lord,
Let me have any condition,
Which shall best fulfil thy word.

9 Here I am tho' most unworthy,
Feel committed to thy hand,
Yet can I become a mother,
Since I never knew a man.

10 Then the Angel, blessed Seraph,
Told what God would further do;
He will send his holy spirit,
And will overshadow you.

11 This will make the blessed infant,
Holy from the birth or womb,
He shall save the house of Jacob,
Save this people from their doom.

12 Thus salvation like a river,
Rises even to a flood,
Sinner, drink in it forever,
With your Saviour and your God.

Source: Hymns on Various Subjects #18