The Works of Christopher Smart

Before this earthly Planet wound her course
Round Light's perennial fountain, before Light
Herself 'gan shine, and at th' inspiring word
Shot to existence in a blaze of day,
Before "the Morning-Stars together sang"
And hail'd Thee Artchitect of countless worlds.—
Thou art—all-glorious, all-beneficient,
All Wisdom and Omnipotence thou art.
—On the Eternity of the Supreme Being

List ye! how nature with ten thousand tongues
Begins the grand thanksgiving, Hail, all hail,
Ye tenants of the forest and the field!
My fellow subjects of th' eternal King,
I gladly join your matins, and with you
Confess his presence, and report his praise.
—On the Immensity of the Supreme Being

In every human soul some vices spring
(For fair perfection is no mortal thing)
Whoe'er's with the fewest faults endu'd,
Is but the best of what cannot be good.
—The Horatian Canons of Friendship

Now's the time for mirth and play,
Saturday's an holiday;
Praise to heaven unceasing yield,
I've found a lark's nest in the field.
—Hymns for the Amusement of Children

For there is a sound reasoning upon all flowers.
For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ."
—Jubilate Agno

For in his morning orison she loves the sun and the sun loves him.
—Jubilate Agno

For every house is incomplete without Him,
and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
—Jubilate Agno

For he is a mixture of gravity and waggery.
For he knows that God is his Saviour.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
—Jubilate Agno

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