You Did Not Want for Joy
Nico Muhly
O viridescent stem
of that most sacred tree
sprung up amidst the eddying breeze
of an ancient holy quest:
Hail!
When it was your time
when your boughs blossomed
then it was Hail, Hail you!
- since the heat of the sun
like the fragrance of balsam
exuded from you
For it was the beauty of your blossoming
which gave every desiccated spice its fragrance
And every one of them could be seen
in full freshness
And then the heavens dropped dew
upon the grass
and the whole earth was glad
because her womb yielded up its fruit
and because the birds of the air made their nest in her
Then was humanity fed
and great was the joy of that feasting.
And then, sweet Virgin
you did not want for joy
All this did Eve disdain
Still sing praise to God most high!