Dante says... Mary

Oh Virgin Mother, daughter of your son,

   most humble, most exalted of all creatures

   chosen of God in His eternal plan,

you are the one who ennobled human nature

   to the extent that He did not disdain,

   Who was its Maker, to make Himself man.

Within your womb rekindled was the love

   that gave the warmth that did allow this flower

   to come to bloom within this timeless peace.

For all up here you are the noonday torch

   of charity, and down on earth, for men,

   the living spring of their eternal hope.