Fragment of Litany

You who stepped back from your own Son,
When he started his Father's duty,
And even though he did not call you Mother,
Your looks were tender and no less happy!
Or-- when at the end Your Son's body was stripped,
And he said to you (As God consented):
"Woman!...'', O! You chosen from thousands,
Blessed among women,
Mother, I see the Mother of the Creator,
Pray for us...
And He, who descended from His sublime height
And for a crown chose a crown of thorns,
In you he had only one guardian angel,
But he could have shielded himself with thousands;
O Most Angelic Queen of Angels,
in which God lives
Pray for us...
                                              -- Cyprian Norwid