August 15

Feast of the Assumption

Who is she that ascends so high,

Next the Heavenly King,

Round about whom Angels fly

And her praises sing?

Who is she that, adorned with light,

Makes the sun her robe,

At whose feet the queen of night

Lays her changing globe?

To that crown direct their eyes,

Which her head attires;

There thou mayest her name descry

Writ in starry fires.

This is she in whose pure womb

Heaven’s Prince remained;

Therefore in no earthly tomb

Can she be contained.

Heaven she was, which held that fire,

Whence the world took light,

And to Heaven doth now aspire

Flames with flames t’ unite.

She that did so clearly shine

When our day begun,

See how bright her beams decline

Now she sits with the Sun.

-Sir John Beaumont (1583 – 1627)