Quotes from Christopher Smart

For I bless God in the libraries of the learned and for all the booksellers in the world.

Glorious the song, when God's the theme.

For in my nature I quested for beauty, but God, God hath sent me to sea for pearls.

There is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest, for there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.

Sweet the young muse with love intense, Which smiles o'er sleeping innocence.

For I bless God in the libraries of the learned and for all the booksellers in the world.

Let James rejoice with the Skuttle-Fish who foils his foe by the effusion of his ink.

And now the matchless deed's achiev'd,Determin'd, dar'd, and done.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffrey,For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.

For he counteracts the Devil, who is Death, by brisking about the life.

Where ask is have, where seek is find,Where knock is open wide.

For every word has its marrow in the English tongue for order and for delight.

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

For adoration all the ranksOf angels yield eternal thanks,And David in the midst.

Tell them I Am, Jehovah saidTo Moses; while earth heard in dread,And smitten to the heart,At once above, beneath, around,All nature, without voice or sound,Replied, O Lord, Thou art.

For in my nature I quested for beauty, but God, God hath sent me to sea for pearls.

For EARTH which is an intelligence hath a voice and a propensity to speak in all her parts.

For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest. For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.

For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.

Awake before the sun is risen, I call for my pen and papers and desk.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry. For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him. For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way. For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with his elegant quickness... For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins. For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against adversary. For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin & glaring eyes.

For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements. For, though he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer. For his motions upon the face of the earth are more than any other quadruped. For he can tread to all the measures upon the music. For he can swim for life. For he can creep.

For I prophecy that men will learn the use of their knees. For every thing that can be done in that posture (upon the knees) is better so done than otherwise. For I prophecy that they will understand the blessing and virtue of the rain. For rain is exceedingly good for the human body.