_Ave Maria!_ maiden mild!
Listen to a maiden's prayer!
Thou canst hear though from the wild, 715
Thou canst save amid despair.
Safe may we sleep beneath thy care,
Though banished, outcast, and reviled--
Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;
Mother, hear a suppliant child! 720
_Ave Maria!_
_Ave Maria!_ undefiled!
The flinty couch we now must share
Shall seem with down of eider piled,
If thy protection hover there. 725
The murky cavern's heavy air
Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;
Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;
Mother, list a suppliant child!
_Ave Maria!_ 730
_Ave Maria!_ stainless styled!
Foul demons of the earth and air,
From this their wonted haunt exiled,
Shall flee before thy presence fair.
We bow us to our lot of care, 735
Beneath thy guidance reconciled;
Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer,
And for a father hear a child!
_Ave Maria!_