Hail, true Body, born of Mary,
by a wondrous virgin-birth.
Thou who on the Cross wast offered
to redeem the sons of earth;

thou whose side became a fountain
pouring forth thy precious blood,
give us now, and at our dying,
thine own self to be our food.

O sweetest Jesu,
O gracious Jesu,
O Jesu, blessed Mary's Son.


14th cent.
tr. H. N. Oxenham (1829-88)