1. When the voice of Ursula’s blood

and of her innocent brood

resounded ‘fore God’s throne,

the ancient prophecy came forth by Mamre’s root—

a true disclosing of the Trinity—

and spoke:

2. “This blood is touching us—

now let us all rejoice!”

3. And next came forth

the congregation of the Lamb—

by the ram caught in the thorns—and spoke:

4. “Praise in Jerusalem

because of this blood’s scarlet gleam!”

5. Then came the sacrificial calf

the ancient Law revealed—

a sacrifice of praise—

the Law, girded with many colors, hid God’s face

from Moses and revealed his back.

6. This means the priests

who by their tongues

reveal God even though they cannot see him perfectly.

7. They spoke: “O noblest brood, this Virgin’s name

on earth was ‘Ursula’—the little bear—

but now on high she’s called ‘Columba’—dove—

because she gathered round her innocent brood.”

8. O Church, your praise

is with this brood!

9. Great brood—the burning bush

that Moses saw, its sign;

and God had planted it within the primal root

in Man he’d made from mud,

to live without man’s commingling—

with clearest voice they cried

in purest gold and topaz,

and sapphire set in gold.

10. Now let all the heavens rejoice,

and all the peoples be adorned with them!

Amen.