O Worthy Place

'The Coronation of the Virgin', 1508, by Luca Signorelli (c.1445-50-1523), San Diego Museum of Art

No eye hath seen what joys the Saints obtain, 
No ear hath heard what comforts are possessed; 
No heart can think in what delight they reign, 
Nor pen express their happy port of rest, 
Where pleasure flows, and grief is never seen. 
Where good abounds, and ill is banish’d clean. 

Those sacred Saints remain in perfect peace. 
Which Christ confessed, and walked in His ways, 
They shine in bliss, which now shall never cease. 
And to His Name do sing eternal praise: 
Before His throne in white they ever stand, 
And carry palms of triumph in their hand. 

Above them all the Virgin hath a place. 
Which caused the world with comfort to abound; 
The beams do shine in her unspotted face, 
And with the stars her head is richly crowned: 
In glory she all creatures passeth far, 
The moon her shoes, the sun her garments are. 

Lo! here the look which Angels do admire! 
Lo! here the spring from whom all goodness flows 
Lo! here that sight which men and Saints desire! 
LoI here that stalk on which our comfort grows! 
Lo! this is she whom heaven and earth embrace. 
Whom God did choose, and filled full of grace, 

Next above her, and on a higher throne. 
Our Saviour in His Manhood sitteth here; 
From Whom proceeds all perfect joy alone. 
And in Whose Face all glory doth appear: 
The Saints’ delight conceived cannot be 
When they a Man the Lord of Angels see. 

O worthy place, where such a Lord is chief! 
O glorious Lord, Who princely servants keeps! 
O happy Saints, which never taste of grief! 
O blessed state, where malice ever sleeps! 
No one is here of base or mean degree, 
But all are known the sons of God to be.

St Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, 1557-1595