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all who approach it. We may, indeed, say with truth that the Blessed 
Virgin Mary is like the most, precions Spikenard, for she never exalted 
herself on account of all the great graces and favors which she received, or 
the praises which were given to her, hut always remained beautiful in her 
lowliness and her littleness; and by this humility, like the Spikenard, she 
shed such siveet perfume around her that it ascended to the throne of the 
Divine Majesty; and God was so pleased with it, says St. Francis de Sales, 
that He descended from Heaven , to come down here upon earth below, and 
to be incarnate within her sacred womb. 
“For such high tidings as to thee were brought, 
Chosen of Heaven! that hour; but thou, oh, thou, 
E’en as a flower with gracious rains o’er-fraught, 
Thy Virgin head beneath its crown did’st bow, 
And take to thy meek breast th’ All Holy Word; 
And own thyself the Handmaid of the Lord!” 
— Mrs. Hemans. 
<§)tr<^W berry. 
A plant and its fruit of the genus Fragaria. It is 
highly esteemed for the edible fragrant fruit, of which 
there are many varieties. The American strawberry is 
F. Virginiana; the European, F. vesca . 
“Then preach’d the humble Strawberry. Behold 
The lowliest and least adorn’d of flowers 
Lies at thy feet; yet lift my leafy fold, 
And fruit is there unfound in gaudier bowers. 
So plain be thou and meek, 
And when vain man shall seek, 
Unveil the blooming fruit of solitary hours.” 
— Evans. 
