Happy National Poetry Month: From Christopher Smart's Jubilate Agno - For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry (the best poem ever written about a cat)

By Jack Brummet 


Kit Smart is one of my favorite poets.  This is excerpt, written in the mid-18th century, is from Jubilate Agno, which has to be the best cat poem of all time.

Jubilate Agno (excerpt)

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 elegant quickness.
For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.
For he rolls upon prank to work it in.
For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.
For this he performs in ten degrees.
For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.
For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.
For fifthly he washes himself.
For sixthly he rolls upon wash.
For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.
For eighthly he rubs himself against a post.
For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.
For tenthly he goes in quest of food.
For having consider'd God and himself he will consider his neighbour.
For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.
For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.
For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.
For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins.
For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.
For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.
For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.
For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.
For he will not do destruction, if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.
For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he's a good Cat.
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
For the Lord commanded Moses concerning the cats at the departure of the Children of Israel from Egypt.
For every family had one cat at least in the bag.
For the English Cats are the best in Europe.
For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.
For the dexterity of his defence is an instance of the love of God to him exceedingly.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For he is tenacious of his point.
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.
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.
For he is of the Lord's poor and so indeed is he called by benevolence perpetually--Poor Jeoffry! poor Jeoffry! the rat has bit thy throat.
For I bless the name of the Lord Jesus that Jeoffry is better.
For the divine spirit comes about his body to sustain it in complete cat.
For his tongue is exceeding pure so that it has in purity what it wants in music.
For he is docile and can learn certain things.
For he can set up with gravity which is patience upon approbation.
For he can fetch and carry, which is patience in employment.
For he can jump over a stick which is patience upon proof positive.
For he can spraggle upon waggle at the word of command.
For he can jump from an eminence into his master's bosom.
For he can catch the cork and toss it again.
For he is hated by the hypocrite and miser.
For the former is afraid of detection.
For the latter refuses the charge.
For he camels his back to bear the first notion of business.
For he is good to think on, if a man would express himself neatly.
For he made a great figure in Egypt for his signal services.
For he killed the Ichneumon-rat very pernicious by land.
For his ears are so acute that they sting again.
For from this proceeds the passing quickness of his attention.
For by stroking of him I have found out electricity.
For I perceived God's light about him both wax and fire.
For the Electrical fire is the spiritual substance, which God sends from heaven to sustain the bodies both of man and beast.
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For, tho 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.

- Christopher Smart

 ---o0o---

Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment D

by Jack Brummet, Poetry Editor 

Kit Smart's Jubilate Agno is one of my very favorite poems of all time.  He wrote it in an insane asylum.  A "Commission of Lunacy" was taken out against Christopher Smart, and he was admitted in St. Luke's Hospital on May 6, 1757 as a "Curable Patient" by his wife Anna's stepfather John Newbery.  

There is evidence that an incident took place in St. James’s Park in which he "routed all the company" (Jubilate Agno B89), an incident which may have caused his lockup.  During this time, Christopher was left alone, except for his cat Jeoffrey and the occasional visitor or onlooker. 

With nothing to do, he devoted himself to God and to writing this fantastic poem. He was released from the asylum on January 30, 1763, but his poem was not to be published until 1939.  

This is our last installment. To read the poem in order click on:

Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment A
Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B1
Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B2
Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B3
Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B4
Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment C
Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment D

Fragment D

Let Dew, house of Dew rejoice with Xanthenes a precious stone of an amber colour.

Let Round, house of Round rejoice with Myrmecites a gern having an Emmet in it.

Let New, house of New rejoice with Nasamonites a gem of a sanguine colour with black veins.

Let Hook, house of Hook rejoice with Sarda a Cornelian -- blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus by hook.

Let Crook, house of Crook rejoice with Ophites black spotted marble -- Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus by crook. The Lord enable me to shift.

Let Lime, house of Lime rejoice with Sandareses a kind of gem in Pliny's list.

Let Linnet, house of Linnet rejoice with Tanos, which is a mean sort of Emerald.

Let Hind, house of Hind rejoice with Paederos Opal -- God be gracious to Mrs Hind, that lived at Canbury.

Let Tyrrel, house of Tyrrel rejoice with Sardius Lapis an Onyx of a black colour. God speed Hawke's Fleet.

Let Moss, house of Moss rejoice with the Pearl-Oyster behold how God has consider'd for him that lacketh.

Let Ross, house of Ross rejoice with the Great Flabber Dabber Flat Clapping Fish with hands. Vide Anson's Voyage and Psalm 98th ix.

Let Fisher, house of Fisher rejoice with Sandastros kind of burning stone with gold drops in the body of it. God be gracious to Fisher of Cambridge and to all of his name and kindred.

Let Fuller, house of Fuller rejoice with Perileucos a precious stone with a white thread descending from its face to the bottom.

Let Thorpe, house of Thorpe rejoice with Xystios an ordinary stone of the Jasper-kind.

Let Alban, house of Alban rejoice with Scorpites a precious stone in some degree of the creatures.

Let Wand, house of Wand rejoice with Synochitis a gem supposed by Pliny to have certain magical effects.

Let Freeman, house of Freeman rejoice with Carcinias a precious stone the colour of a sea-crab. The Lord raise the landed interest.

Let Quince, house of Quince rejoice with Onychipuncta a gem of the jasper kind.

Let Manly, house of Manly rejoice with the Booby a tropical bird.

Let Fage, house of Fage rejoice with the Fiddlefish -- Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus in the fish's mouth.

Let Benning, house of Benning rejoice with the Sea-Egg. Lord have mercy on the soul of Benning's wife.

Let Singleton, house of Singleton rejoice with the Hog-Plumb. Lord have mercy on the soul of Lord Vane.

Let Thickness, house of Thickness rejoice with The Papah a fruit found at Chequetan.

Let Heartly, house of Heartly rejoice with the Drummer-Fish. God be gracious to Heartly of Christ, to Marsh, Hingeston and Bill.

Let Sizer, house of Sizer rejoice with Trichros a precious stone black at bottom, white atop and blood-red in the middle.

Let Chetwind, house of Chetwind rejoice with Hammocrysos, a gem with gold sands on it.

Let Branch, house of Branch rejoice with Hæmatites -- Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus THE BRANCH.

Let Dongworth, house of Dongworth rejoice with Rhymay the Bread-fruit. God be gracious to the immortal soul of Richard Dongworth.

Let Randall, house of Randall rejoice with Guavoes. God give Randall success.

Let Osborne, house of Osborne rejoice with Lithizontes a sort of carbuncle. God be gracious to the Duke of Leeds and his family.

Let Oldcastle, house of Oldcastle rejoice with Leucopthalmos. God put it in heart of king to repair and beautify Dover Castle.

Let Beeson, house of Beeson rejoice with Pyropus, carbuncle opal. God be gracious to Masters of Yoke's Place.

Let Salmon, house of Salmon rejoice with Sapinos a kind of Amethyst.

Let Crutenden, house of Crutenden rejoice with Veneris Gemma a kind of amethyst.

Let Bridges, house of Bridges rejoice with Jasponyx, which is the Jasper-Onyx.

Let Lane, house of Lane rejoice with Myrmecias a precious stone with little knots in it.

Let Cope, house of Cope rejoice with Centipedes. God give me strength to cope with all my adversaries.

Let Sutton, house of Sutton rejoice with Cholos a gem of the Emerald kind.

Let Pelham, house of Pelham rejoice with Callimus in Taphiusio one stone in the body of another. God bless the Duke of Newcastle.

Let Holies, house of Holies rejoice with Pyriasis a black stone that burns by friction. The Lord kindle amongst Englishmen a sense of their name.

Let Lister, house of Lister rejoice with Craterites a very hard stone. The Lord hear my prayer even as I attend unto his commandments.

Let Ash, house of Ash rejoice with Callaica a green gem. God be gracious to Miss Leroche my fellow traveler from Calais.

Let Baily, house of Baily rejoice with Catopyrites of Cappadocia. God be gracious to the immortal soul of Lewes Baily author of the Practice of Piety.

Let Glover, house of Glover rejoice with Capnites a kind of Jasper -- blessed be the memory of Glover the martyr.

Let Egerton, house of Egerton rejoice with Sphragis green but not pellucid.

Let Reading, house of Reading rejoice with Synodontites found in the fish Synodontes. 27th July N.S. 1762 Lord Jesus have mercy on my soul.

Let Bolton, house of Bolton rejoice with Polygrammos, a kind of Jasper with white streaks.

Let Paulet, house of Paulet rejoice with Chalcites, a precious stone of the colour of Brass.

Let Stapleton, house of Stapleton rejoice with Scythis a precious stone -- the Lord rebuild the old houses of England.

Let Newdigate, house of Newdigate rejoice with Sandaserion a stone in India like Green Oil.

Let Knightly, house of Knightly rejoice with Zoronysios a gem supposed by the ancients to have magical effects. Star -- word -- herb -- gem.

Let Fellows, house of Fellows rejoice with Syrites a gem found in a Wolf's bladder.

Let Ascham, house of Ascham rejoice with Thyitis a precious stone remarkably hard. God be gracious to Bennet.

Let Mowbray, house of Mowbray rejoice with The Black and Blue Creeper a beautiful small bird of Brazil.

Let Aldrich, house of Aldrich rejoice with the Trincalo or Tricolor, a leaf without a flower or the flower of a leaf.

Let Culmer, house of Culmer rejoice with Phloginos a gem of a fire-colour.

Let Catesby, house of Catesby rejoice with Cerites a precious stone like wax.

Let Atterbury, house of Atterbury rejoice with Eurotias a black stone with the appearance of mould on it.

Let Hoare, house of Hoare rejoice with Crysopis a precious stone of a gold-colour. God be gracious to John Rust.

Let Fane, house of Fane rejoice with Chalcedonius Lapis a sort of onyx called a Chalcedony.

Let Lorman, house of Lorman rejoice with Cheramites, a sort of precious stone.

Let Flexney, house of Flexney rejoice with Triopthalmos -- God be gracious to Churchill, Loyd and especially to Sheels.

Let Gavel, house of Gavel rejoice with Phlogites a precious stone of a various flame-colour.

Let Hederick, house of Hederick rejoice with Pyritis a precious stone which held in the hand will burn it; this is fixed fire.

Let Pleasant, house of Pleasant rejoice with The Carrier Fish -- God be gracious to Dame Fysh.

Let Tayler, house of Tayler rejoice with the Flying Mole -- God keep him from the poor man's garden. God be gracious to William Tayler Sen and Junr.

Let Grieve, house of Grieve rejoice with Orites a precious stone perfectly round. Blessed be the name of the Man of Melancholy, for Jacob Grieve.

Let Bowes, house of Bowes rejoice with the Dog Fly. Lord have mercy upon me and support me in all my plagues and temptations.

Let Alberton, house of Alberton rejoice with Paneros a precious stone good against barrenness.

Let Morgan, house of Morgan rejoice with Prasius Lapis of a Leek-green colour.

Let Powell, house of Powell rejoice with Synochitis a precious stone abused by the ancient sorcerers.

Let Howell, house of Howell rejoice with Ostracias a gem like an oyster.

Let Close, house of Close rejoice with Chalcophonos a gem sounding like brass. O all ye gems of the mine bless ye the Lord, praise him and magnify him for ever.

Let Johnson, house of Johnson rejoice with Omphalocarpa a kind of bur. God be gracious to Samuel Johnson.

Let Hopgood, house of Hopgood rejoice with Nepenthes an herb which infused in wine drives away sadness -- very likely.

Let Hopwood, house of Hopwood rejoice with Aspalathus the Rose of Jerusalem.

Let Benson, house of Benson rejoice with Sea-Ragwort or Powder'd Bean. Lord have mercy on the soul of Dr Benson Bsp. of Gloucester.

Let Marvel, house of Marvel rejoice with Brya a little shrub like birch.

Let Hull, house of Hull rejoice with Subis a bird called the Spight which breaks the Eagle's eggs.

Let Mason, house of Mason rejoice with Suberies the Capitol Cork Tree. Lord be merciful to William Mason.

Let Fountain, house of Fountain rejoice with Syriacus Rephanus a sweet kind of Radish.

Let Scroop, house of Scroop rejoice with Fig-Wine -- Palmi primarium vinum. Not so -- Palmi-primum is the word.

Let Hollingstead, house of Hollingstead rejoice with Sissitietaeris herb of good fellowship. Praise the name of the Lord September 1762.

Let Moyle, house of Moyle rejoice with Phlox a flame-colour'd flower without smell, tentanda via est. Via, veritas, vita sunt Christus.

Let Mount, house of Mount rejoice with Anthera a flowering herb. The Lord lift me up.

Let Dowers, house of Dowers rejoice with The American Nonpareil a beautiful small-bird.

Let Cudworth, house of Cudworth rejoice with the Indian Jaca Tree, which bears large clusters of fruit like apples.

Let Cuthbert, house of Cuthbert rejoice with Phyllandrian a good herb growing in marshes -- Lord have mercy on the soul of Cornelius Harrison.

Let Chillingworth, house of Chillingworth rejoice with Polygonoides an herb with leaves like laurel long and thick good against serpents.

Let Conworth, house of Conworth rejoice with Nenuphar a kind of Water Lily.

Let Ransom, house of Ransom rejoice with Isidos Plocamos a sea shrub of the Coral kind, or rather like Coral.

Let Ponder, house of Ponder rejoice with Polion an herb, whose leaves are white in the morning, purple at noon, and blue in the evening.

Let Woodward, house of Woodward rejoice with Nerium the Rose-Laurel -- God make the professorship of fossils in Cambridge a useful thing.

Let Spincks, house of Spinks rejoice with Struthiomela a little sort of Quinces -- The Lord Jesus pray for me.

Let Peacock, house of Peacock rejoice with Engalacton an herb good to breed milk.

Let Nason, house of Nason rejoice with Errhinum a medicine to clear the nose.

Let Bold, house of Bold rejoice with the Hop-Hornbeam. God send me a neighbour this September.

Let Spriggings, house of Spriggings rejoice with Eon the Tree of which Argo was built.

Let Bear, house of Bear rejoice with Gelotophyllis an herb which drank in wine and myrrh causes excess of laughter.

Let Sloper, house of Sloper rejoice with Gelotophye another laughing plant.

Let Tollfree, house of Tollfree rejoice with Fern of Trees -- Lord stave off evil this day.

Let Clare, house of Clare rejoice with Galeotes a kind of Lizard at enmity with serpents. Lord receive the soul of Dr Wilcox Master of Clare Hall.

Let Wilmot, house of Wilmot rejoice with Epipetros an herb coming up spontaneous (of the seed of the earth) but never flowers.

Let Anstey, house of Anstey rejoice with Eumeces a kind of balm. Lord have mercy on Christopher Anstey and his kinswoman.

Let Ruston, house of Ruston rejoice with Fulviana Herba, ab inventore good to provoke urine. Lord have mercy upon Roger Pratt and his family.

Let Atwood, house of Atwood rejoice with Rhodora with leaves like a nettle and flower like a rose. God bless all benefactors of Pembroke Hall.

Let Shield, house of Shield rejoice with Reseda herb dissolving swelling, and imposthumes.

Let Atkins, house of Atkins rejoice with Salicastrum Wild Wine upon willows and osiers.

Let Pearson, house of Pearson rejoice with the American Aloe. I pray for the soul of Frances Burton.

Let Hough, house of Hough rejoice with Pegasus The Flying Horse there be millions of them in the air. God bless the memories of Bsp. Hough and of Peter.

Let Evelyn, house of Evelyn rejoice with Phu a Plinian shrub sweet-scented. I pray God for trees enough in the posterities.

Let Wing, house of Wing rejoice with Phlomos a sort of Rush. I give the glory to God, thro Christ, for taking the Havannah. Septr 30th 1762.

Let Chace, house of Chace rejoice with Papyrus. God be gracious to Sr Richard and family.

Let Pulteney, house of Pulteney rejoice with Tragion a shrub like Juniper.

Let Abdy, house of Abdy rejoice with Ecbolia a medicine to fetch a dead child out of the womb. God give me to bless for Gulstone and Halford.

Let Hoadley, house of Hoadley rejoice with Dryos Hyphear which is the Oak-Missletoe.

Let Free, house of Free rejoice with Thya a kind of Wild Cypress.

Let Pink, house of Pink rejoice with Trigonum herb used in garlands -- the Lord succeed my pink borders.

Let Somner, house of Somner rejoice with the Blue Daisie -- God be gracious to my neighbour and his family this day, 7th Octr 1762.

Let Race, house of Race rejoice with Osiritis Dogshead. God be praised for the eighth of October 1762.

Let Trowell, house of Trowell rejoice with Teuchites kind of sweet rush.

Let Tilson, house of Tilson rejoice with Teramnos a kind of weed. Lord have mercy on the soul of Tilson, Fellow of Pembroke Hall.

Let Loom, house of Loom rejoice with Colocasia, an Egyptian Bean of whose leaves they made cups and pots.

Let Knock, house of Knock rejoice with Condurdon which bears red flowers in July and worn about the neck is good for scrophulous cases.

Let Case, house of Case rejoice with Coctanum a Syrian Fig. The Lord cure my cough.

Let Tomlyn, house of Tomlyn rejoice with Tetralyx a kind of herb.

Let Bason, house of Bason rejoice with Thelypteris which is Sea-Fern.

Let Joslyn, house of Joslyn rejoice with Cotonea a Venetian herb.

Let Mace, house of Mace rejoice with Adipsos a kind of Green Palm with the smell of a quince.

Let Potts, house of Potts rejoice with Ulex an herb like rosemary with a quality of attracting gold.

Let Bedingfield, house of Bedingfield rejoice with Zygia, which is a kind of maple.

Let Tough, house of Tough rejoice with Accipitrina. N.B. The hawk beat the raven St Luke's day 1762.

Let Balsam, house of Balsam rejoice with Chenomycon an herb the sight of which terrifies a goose. Lord have mercy on William Hunter his family.

Let Graves, house of Graves rejoice with Cinnaris the Stag's antidote -- the persecuted Christian is as the hunted stag.

Let Tombs, house of Tombs rejoice with Acesis Water Sage -- God be gracious to Christopher Charles Tombs.

Let Addy, house of Addy rejoice with Crysippea a kind of herb so called from the discoverer.

Let Jump, house of Jump rejoice with Zoster a Sea-Shrub. Blessed be the name of Christ for the Anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt 1762.

Let Bracegirdle, house of Bracegirdle rejoice with Xiris a kind of herb with sharp leaves.

Let Girdlestone, house of Girdlestone rejoice with Crysocarpum a kind of Ivy.

Let Homer, house of Homer rejoice with Cinnabar which makes a red colour.

Let Lenox, house of Lenox rejoice with Achnas the Wild Pear Tree. God be gracious to the Duke of Richmond.

Let Altham, house of Altham rejoice with the Everlasting Apple-Tree.

Let Travell, house of Travell rejoice with Ciborium The Egyptian Bean.

Let Tyers, house of Tyers rejoice with Ægilops a kind of bulbous root. God give good will to Jonathan Tyers and his family this day. All Saints. N.S. 1762.

Let Clever, house of Clever rejoice with Calathiana a sort of Autumnal flower.

Let Bones, house of Bones rejoice with The Red-Crested Black and Blue Bird of Surinam.

Let Pownall, house of Pownall rejoice with the Murrion a creature of the Beaver kind.

Let Fig, house of Fig rejoice with Fleawort. The Lord magnify the idea of Smart singing hymns on this day in the eyes of the whole University of Cambridge. Novr 5th 1762. N.S.

Let Codrington, house of Codrington rejoice with Thelyphonon an herb whose root kills scorpions.

Let Butler, house of Butler rejoice with Theombrotios a Persian herb. God be gracious to the immortal Soul of the Duke of Ormond.

Let Bodley, house of Bodley rejoice with Tetragnathius a creature of the Spider kind.

Let Acton, house of Acton rejoice with Theangelis an herb used by the Ancients for magical purposes.

Let Peckwater, house of Peckwater rejoice with Tettigonia a small kind of Grashopper.

Let Sheldon, house of Sheldon rejoice with Teucrion an herb like Germander.

Let Breckock, house of Brecknock rejoice with Thalassegle an herb. God be merciful to Timothy Brecknock.

Let Plank, house of Plank rejoice with the Sea Purslain -- God be gracious to Thomas Rosoman and family.

Let Goosetree, house of Goosetree rejoice with Hippophaes a kind of teazle used in the dressing of cloth. God exalt the Soul of Captain Goosetree.

Let Baimbridge, house of Baimbridge rejoice with Hippophæstum of the same kind. Horses shou'd be dock'd in winter. -- Bambridge praise the name of the Lord.

Let Metcalf, house of Metcalf rejoice with Holcus Wall-Barley -- God give grace to my adversaries to ask council of Abel.

Let Graner, house of Graner rejoice with Hircules Bastard Nard. The Lord English Granier and his family.

Let Cape, house of Cape rejoice with Orgament an herb.

Let Oram, house of Oram rejoice with Halus an herb like unto Orgament.

Let Sykes, house of Skyes rejoice with Hadrobolum a kind of sweet gum.

Let Plumer, house of Plumer rejoice with Hastula Regia an herb resembling a spear.

Let Digby, house of Digby rejoice with Glycryhiza Sweetroot. God be gracious to Sr Digby Legard his Son and family.

Let Otway, house of Otway rejoice with Hippice an herb which being held in an horse's mouth keeps him from hunger.

Let Cecil, house of Cecil rejoice with Gnaphalium an herb bleached by nature white and soft for the purpose of flax. God bless Lord Salisbury.

Let Rogers, house of Rogers rejoice with Hypelates a kind of Laurel -- God be gracious to Rogers and Spilsbury with their families.

Let Cambden, house of Cambden rejoice with Glischromargos a kind of white marl.

Let Conduit, house of Conduit rejoice with Greecula a kind of Rose. God be gracious to the immortal soul of Sr Isaac Newton.

Let Hands, house of Hands rejoice with Hadrosphserum kind of Spikenard with broad leaves.

Let Snipe, house of Snipe rejoice with Hæmotimon a kind of red glass. Blessed be the name of Jesus for the 29th of Novr.

Let Aylesworth, house of Aylesworth rejoice with Glinon which is a kind of Maple.

Let Aisley, house of Aisley rejoice with Halicastrum which is a kind of bread corn.

Let Ready, house of Ready rejoice with Junco The Reed Sparrow. Blessed be the name of Christ Jesus Voice and Instrument.

Let Bland, house of Bland rejoice with Lacta a kind of Cassia. God be gracious to Bland of Durham and the Widow George.

Let Abington, house of Abington rejoice with Lea a kind of Colewort praise him upon the sound of the trumpet.

Let Adcock, house of Adcock rejoice with Lada a shrub, which has gummy leaves.

Let Snow, house of Snow rejoice with Hysginum a plant dying Scarlet.

Let Wardell, house of Wardell rejoice with Leiostreum a smooth oyster. God give grace to the black trumpeter and have mercy on the soul of Scipio.

Let Herring, house of Herring rejoice with Iberica a kind of herb. Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus for Miss Herring.

Let Dolben, house of Dolben rejoice with Irio Winter Cresses, Rock Gentle or Rock Gallant.

Let Oakley, house of Oakley rejoice with the Skink a little amphibious creature found upon Nile.

Let Owen, house of Owen rejoice with the Shag-green a beast from which the skin so called is taken.

Let Twist, house of Twist rejoice with Neottophora a little creature that carries its young upon its back.

Let Constant, house of Constant rejoice with the Musk-Goat -- I bless God for two visions of Anne Hope's being in charity with me.

Let Amos, house of Amos rejoice with The Avosetta a bird found at Rome.

Let Humphreys, house of Humphreys rejoice with The Beardmanica a curious bird.

Let Busby, house of Busby rejoice with The Ganser a bird. God prosper Westminster-School.

Let Alured, house of Alured rejoice with the Book-Spider -- I refer the people of both Universitys to the Bible for their morality.

Let Lidgate, house of Lidgate rejoice with The Flammant a curious large bird on the coast of Cuba. God make us amends for the restoration of the Havannah.

Let Cunningham, house of Cunningham rejoice with The Bohemian Jay. I pray for Peace between the K. of Prussia and Empress Queen.

Let Thornhill, house of Thornhill rejoice with The Albicore a Sea Bird. God be gracious to Hogarth his wife. Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus at Adgecomb.

Let Dawn, house of Dawn rejoice with The Frigate Bird which is found upon the coasts of India.

Let Horton, house of Horton rejoice with Birdlime -- Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus against the destruction of Small Birds.

Let Arne, house of Arne rejoice with The Jay of Bengal. God be gracious to Arne his wife to Michael and Charles Burney.

Let Westbrooke, house of Westbrooke rejoice with the Quail of Bengal. God be gracious to the people of Maidstone.

Let Allcock, house of Allcock rejoice with The King of the Wavows a strange fowl. I pray for the whose University of Cambridge especially Jesus College this blessed day.

Let Audley, house of Audley rejoice with The Green Crown Bird. The Lord help on with the hymns.

Let Bloom, house of Bloom rejoice with Hecatompus a fish with an hundred feet.

Let Beacon, house of Beacon rejoice with Amadavad a fine bird in the East Indies.

Let Blomer, house of Blomer rejoice with Halimus a Shrub to hedge with. Lord have mercy upon poor labourers this bitter frost Deer 29 N.S. 1762.

Let Merrick, house of Merrick rejoice with Lageus a kind of Grape. God all-sufficient bless and forward the Psalmist in the Lord Jesus.

Let Appleby, house of Appleby rejoice with Laburnum a shrub whose blossom is disliked by bees.

Let Waite, house of Waite rejoice with the Shittah-Tree -- blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus for the musicians and dancers this holiday-time.

Let Stedman, house of Stedman rejoice with Jacobasa St James's Wort. God be merciful to the house of Stuart.

Let Poet, house of Poet rejoice with Hedrychum a kind of ointment of a sweet smelling savour. God speed the New Year thro' Christ 1763.

Let Jesse, house of Jesse rejoice with the Lawrey a kind of bird. God forward my version of the psalms thro' Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let Clemison, house of Clemison rejoice with Helix a kind of Ivy. God be praised for the vision of the Redcap and packet.

Let Crockatt, house of Crockatt rejoice with Emboline an Asiatic Shrub with small leaves an antidote. I pray for the soul of Crockatt the bookseller the first to put me upon a version of the Psalms.

Let Oakley, house of Oakley rejoice with Haliphasus a tree with such bitter fruit that nothing but swine will touch it.

Let Preacher, house of Preacher rejoice with Helvella a small sort of cabbage. God be merciful to the immortal soul of Stephen Preacher.

Let Heron, house of Heron rejoice with the Tunal-Tree on which the Cochineal feeds.

Let Kitcat, house of Kitcat rejoice with Copec the Pitch-Stone. Janry 8th 1763 Hallelujah.

Let Gisbourne, house of Gisbourne rejoice with Isocinnamon an herb of a sweet smelling savour.

Let Poor, house of Poor rejoice with Jasione a kind of Withwind -- Lord have mercy on the poor this hard weather. Jan: 10th 1763.

Let Eccles, house of Eccles rejoice with Heptapleuros a kind of Plantain. I pray for a musician or musicians to set the new psalms.

Let Moseley, house of Moseley rejoice with Spruce -- I bless God for Old Foundation Day at Pemb. Hall.

Let Pass, house of Pass rejoice with Salt -- The Lord pass the last year's accounts in my conscience thro' the merits of Jesus Christ. New Year by Old Stile 1763.

Let Forward, house of Forward rejoice with Immussulus a kind of bird -- the Lord forward my translation of the psalms this year.

Let Quarme, house of Quarme rejoice with Thyosiris yellow Succory -- I pray God bless all my Subscribers.

Let Larkin, house of Larkin rejoice with Long-wort or Torch-herb -- God give me good riddance of my present grievances.

Let Halford, house of Halford rejoice with Siren a musical bird. God considered thou me for the baseness of those I have served very highly.

Let Ayerst, house of Ayerst rejoice with the Wild Beet -- God be gracious to Smith, Cousins, Austin, Cam and Kingsley and Kinleside.

Let Decker, house of Decker rejoice with Sirpe a Cyrenian plant yielding an odoriferous juice.

Let Cust, house of Cust rejoice with Margaris a date like unto a pearl.

Let Usher, house of Usher rejoice with Condurdon an herb with a red flower worn about the neck for the scurvy.

Let Slingsby, house of Slingsby rejoice with Midas a little worm breeding in beans.

Let Farmer, house of Farmer rejoice with Merois an herb growing at Meroe leaf like lettuce and good for dropsy.

Let Affleck, house of Affleck rejoice with The Box-thorn. Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus Emanuel.

Let Arnold, house of Arnold rejoice with Leucographis a simple good against spitting of blood.

Let Morris, house of Morris rejoice with Lepidium a Simple of the Cress kind.

Let Crane, house of Crane rejoice with Libanotis an herb that smells like Frankinsense.

Let Arden, house of Arden rejoice with Mew an herb with the stalk and leaves like Anise.

Let Joram, house of Joram rejoice with Meliphylla Balm Gentle God be gracious to John Sherrat.

Let Odwell, house of Odwell rejoice with Lappago Maiden Lips. Blessed be the name of Jesus in singularities and singular mercies.

Let Odney, house of Odney rejoice with Canaria a simple called Hound's-grass.

---o0o---

Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment C

by Jack Brummet, Poetry Editor 

Kit Smart's Jubilate Agno is one of my very favorite poems of all time.  He wrote it in an insane asylum.  A "Commission of Lunacy" was taken out against Christopher Smart, and he was admitted in St. Luke's Hospital on May 6, 1757 as a "Curable Patient" by his wife Anna's stepfather John Newbery.  

There is evidence that an incident took place in St. James’s Park in which he "routed all the company" (Jubilate Agno B89), an incident which may have caused his lockup.  During this time, Christopher was left alone, except for his cat Jeoffrey and the occasional visitor or onlooker. 

With nothing to do, he devoted himself to God and to writing this fantastic poem. He was released from the asylum on January 30, 1763, but his poem was not to be published until 1939.  

by Christopher Smart

Let Ramah rejoice with Cochineal.

Let Gaba rejoice with the Prickly Pear, which the Cochineal feeds on.

Let Nebo rejoice with the Myrtle-Leaved-Sumach as with the Skirret Jub. 2d.

Let Magbish rejoice with the Sage-Tree Phlomis as with the Goatsbeard Jub: 2d.

Let Hashum rejoice with Moon-Trefoil.

Let Netophah rejoice with Cow-Wheat.

Let Chephirah rejoice with Millet.

Let Beeroth rejoice with Sea-Buckthorn.

Let Kirjath-arim rejoice with Cacalianthemum.

Let Hadid rejoice with Capsicum Guiney Pepper.

Let Senaah rejoice with Bean Cape.

Let Kadmiel rejoice with Hemp-Agrimony.

Let Shobai rejoice with Arbor Molle.

Let Hatita rejoice with Millefolium Yarrow.

Let Ziha rejoice with Mitellia.

Let Hasupha rejoice with Turky Balm.

Let Hattil rejoice with Xeranthemum.

Let Bilshan rejoice with the Leek. David for ever! God bless the Welch March 1st 1761. N.S.

Let Sotai rejoice with the Mountain Ebony.

Let Sophereth rejoice with White Hellebore.

Let Darkon rejoice with the Melon-Thistle.

Let Jaalah rejoice with Moly wild garlick.

Let Ami rejoice with the Bladder Sena in season or out of season bless the name of the Lord.

Let Pochereth rejoice with Fleabane.

Let Keros rejoice with Tree Germander.

Let Padon rejoice with Tamnus Black Briony.

Let Mizpar rejoice with Stickadore.

Let Baanah rejoice with Napus the French Turnip.

Let Reelaiah rejoice with the Sea-Cabbage.

Let Parosh rejoice with Cacubalus Chickweed.

Let Hagab rejoice with Serpyllum Mother of Thyme. Hosanna to the memory of Q. Anne. March 8th N.S. 1761 -- God be gracious to old Windsmore.

Let Shalmai rejoice with Meadow Rue. --

Let Habaiah rejoice with Asteriscus Yellow Starwort.

Let Tel-harsa rejoice with Aparine Clivers.

Let Rehoboam rejoice with Folium Montanum. God give grace to the Young King.

Let Hanan rejoice with Poley of Crete.

Let Sheshbazzar rejoice with Polygonatum Solomon's seal.

Let Zeboim rejoice with Bastard Dittany.

Let The Queen of Sheba rejoice with Bulapathon Herb Patience.

Let Cyrus rejoice with Baccharis Plowman's Spikenard. God be gracious to Warburton.

Let Lebanah rejoice with the Golden Wingged Flycatcher a Mexican Small Bird of Passage.

Let Hagabah rejoice with Orchis. Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus for my seed in eternity.

Let Siaha rejoice with the Razor-Fish. God be gracious to John Bird and his wife.

Let Artaxerxes rejoice with Vanelloes. Palm Sunday 1761. The Lord Strengthen me.

Let Bishlam rejoice with the Cotton-bush.

Let Mithridath rejoice with Balsam of Tolu.

Let Tabeel rejoice with the Carob-Tree.

Let Ariel rejoice with Balsam of Peru, which sweats from a tree, that flowers like the Foxglove.

Let Ebed rejoice with Balsam of Gilead. God be gracious to Stede.

Let Jarib rejoice with Balsam of Capivi. The Lord strengthen my reins.

Let Shimshai rejoice with Stelis Missletoe on Fir.

Let Joiarib rejoice with Veronica Fluellen or Speedwell.

Let Tatnai rejoice with the Barbadoes Wild Olive.

Let Ezra rejoice with the Reed. The Lord Jesus make musick of it. Good Friday 1761.

Let Josiphiah rejoice with Tower-Mustard. God be gracious to Durham School.

Let Shether-boznai rejoice with Turnera. End of Lent 1761. No. 5.

Let Jozadak rejoice with Stephanitis a vine growing naturally into chaplets.

Let Jozabad rejoice with the Lily-Daffodil. Easter Day 22nd March 1761.

Let Telem rejoice with Hart's Penny-royal.

Let Abdi rejoice with Winter-green. God be gracious to Abdy.

Let Binnui rejoice with Spotted Lungwort or Couslip of Jerusalem. God give blessing with it.

Let Aziza rejoice with the Day Lily.

Let Zabbai rejoice with Buckshorn Plaintain Coronopus.

Let Ramoth rejoice with Persicaria.

Let Athlai rejoice with Bastard Marjoram.

Let Uel rejoice with Lysimachia Loose-strife which drinks of the brook by the way.

Let Kelaiah rejoice with Hermannia.

Let Elasah rejoice with Olibanum White or Male Frankinsense from an Arabian tree, good against Catarrhs and Spitting blood from which Christ Jesus deliver me.

Let Adna rejoice with Gum Opopanax from the wounded root of a species of panace Heracleum a tall plant growing to be two or three yards high with many large wings of a yellowish green -- good for old coughs and asthmas.

Let Bedeiah rejoice with Gum Sagapenum flowing from a species of Ferula which grows in Media. Lord have mercy on my breast.

Let Ishijah rejoice with Sago gotten from the inward pith of the breadtree. The Lord Jesus strengthen my whole body.

Let Chelal rejoice with Apios Virginian Liquorice Vetch.

Let Miamin rejoice with Mezereon. God be gracious to Polly and Bess and all Canbury.

Let Zebida rejoice with Tormentil good for hæmorrhages in the mouth even so Lord Jesus.

Let Shemaria rejoice with Riciasides.

Let Jadau rejoice with Flixweed.

Let Shimeon rejoice with Squills.

Let Sheal rejoice with Scorpioides. God be gracious to Legg.

Let Ramiah rejoice with Water-Germander.

Let Jeziah rejoice with Viper's Grass.

Let Machnadebai rejoice with the Mink, a beast.

Let Meremoth rejoice with the Golden Titmouse of Surinam.

Let Mattenai rejoice with Hatchet Vetch.

Let Chelluh rejoice with Horehound.

Let Jaasau rejoice with Bird's foot.

Let Maadai rejoice with Golden Rod.

Let Sharai rejoice with Honey-flower.

Let Shashai rejoice with Smyrnium.

Let Hananiah the son of an apothecary rejoice with Bdellium.

Let Hassenaah rejoice with the White Beet. God be gracious to Hasse and all musicians.

Let Hachaliah rejoice with Muscus Arboreus.

Let Sanballat rejoice with Ground Moss found sometimes on human skulls.

Let Col-hozeh rejoice with Myrobalans, Bellerica, Chebula, Citrina, Emblica and Indica.

Let Meah rejoice with Varias, a kind of streaked panther. April 8th praise the name of the Lord.

Let Eliashib rejoice with Shepherd's Purse.

Let Azbuk rejoice with Valerianella Corn Sallet.

Let Geshem (which is Rain) rejoice with Kneeholm. Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus for Rain and his family and for the plenteous rain this day. April 9th 1761. N.S.

Let Bavai rejoice with Calceolus Ladies Slipper.

Let Henadad rejoice with Cacalianthemum.

Let Shallun rejoice with Mullein Tapsus barbatus good for the breast.

Let Ophel rejoice with Camara.

Let Meshezabeel rejoice with Stephanomelis. Old April bless the name of the Lord Jesus.

Let Zadok the son of Baana rejoice with Viburnum.

Let Vaniah rejoice with Pug in a pinner. God be gracious to house of Vane especially Anne.

Let Besodeiah rejoice with the Nettle.

Let Melatiah rejoice with Adonis Bird's eye.

Let Jadon rejoice with Borrage.

Let Palal rejoice with the female Balsamime. God be gracious to my wife.

Let Ezer rejoice with Basella Climbing Nightshade.

Let Uzai rejoice with Meadow Sweet.

Let Zalaph rejoice with Rose-bay.

Let Halohesh rejoice with Ambrosia, that bears a fruit like a club.

Let Malchiah Son of Rechab rejoice with the Rose-colour'd flow'ring Rush.

Let Sia rejoice with Argemone Prickly Poppy.

Let Lebana rejoice with Amaranthoides Globe Amaranth.

Let Rephaiah the Son of Hur rejoice with the Berry-bearing Angelica.

Let Harhaiah of the Goldsmiths rejoice with Segullum, the earth that detects the mine.

Let Harumaph rejoice with the Upright Honeysuckle.

Let Hashabniah rejoice with the Water Melon. Blessed be the manuscripts of Almighty God.

Let Phaseah rejoice with the Cassioberry Bush.

Let Nephishesim rejoice with Cannacorus Indian Reed.

Let Tamah rejoice with Cainito Star-Apple -- God be praised for this Eleventh of April o.s. in which I enter into the Fortieth Year of my age. Blessed. Blessed. Blessed!

Let Siloah rejoice with Guidonia with a Rose-Colour'd-Flower.

Let Benjamin a Rebuilder of Jerusalem rejoice with the Rock-Rose. Newton, bless!

Let Malchijah Son of Harim rejoice with Crysanthemoides.

Let Besai rejoice with Hesperis Queen's Gilly-Flow'r.

Let Perida rejoice with Podded Fumitory.

Let Tabbaoth rejoice with Goldy Locks. God be merciful to my wife.

Let Bakbuk rejoice with Soft Thistle.

Let Hodevah rejoice with Coronilla.

Let Tobiah rejoice with Crotolaria. God be praised for his infinite goodness and mercy.

Let Mehetabeel rejoice with Hsemanthus the Blood Flower. Blessed be the name of the Blood of the Lord Jesus.

Let Bazlith rejoice with the Horned Poppy.

Let Hagaba rejoice with the Turnsole. God be gracious to Cutting.

Let Shalmai rejoice with Lycopersicum Love-apple. God be gracious to Dunn.

Let Arah rejoice with Fritillaria the Chequer'd Tulip.

Let Raamiah rejoice with the Double Sweetscented Pione.

Let Hashub Son of Pahath-moab rejoice with the French Honeysuckle.

Let Ananiah rejoice with the Corn-Flag.

Let Nahamani rejoice with the May-apple. God give me fruit to this month.

Let Mispereth rejoice with the Ring Parrakeet.

Let Nehum rejoice with the Artichoke.

Let Ginnithon rejoice with the Bottle Flower.

Let Zidkijah rejoice with Mulberry Blight. God be gracious to Gum my fellow Prisoner.

Let Malluch rejoice with Methonica Superb Lily.

Let Jeremiah rejoice with Hemlock, which is good in outward application.

Let Bilgai rejoice with Tamalapatra Indian Leaf.

Let Maaziah rejoice with Chick Pease. God be gracious to Harris White 5th of May 1761.

Let Kelita rejoice with Xiphion the Bulbous Iris.

Let Pelaiah rejoice with Cloud-Berries. God be gracious to Peele and Ferry.

Let Azaniah rejoice with the Water Lily.

Let Rehob rejoice with Caucalis Bastard Parsley.

Let Sherebiah rejoice with Nigella, that bears a white flower.

Let Beninu rejoice with Heart-Pear. God be gracious to George Bening.

Let Bunni rejoice with Bulbine -- leaves like leek, purple flower.

Let Zatthu rejoice with the Wild Service.

Let Hizkijah rejoice with the Dwarf American Sun-Flower.

Let Azzur rejoice with the Globe-Thistle.

Let Hariph rejoice with Summer Savoury.

Let Nebai rejoice with the Wild Cucumber.

Let Magpiash rejoice with the Musk.

Let Hezir rejoice with Scorpion Sena.

---o0o---

Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B4 (includes the famous "For I will consider my cat Jeoffrey..."

Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B4

by Jack Brummet, Poetry Editor 

Kit Smart's Jubilate Agno is one of my very favorite poems of all time.  He wrote it in an insane asylum.  A "Commission of Lunacy" was taken out against Christopher Smart, and he was admitted in St. Luke's Hospital on May 6, 1757 as a "Curable Patient" by his wife Anna's stepfather John Newbery.  

There is evidence that an incident took place in St. James’s Park in which he "routed all the company" (Jubilate Agno B89), an incident which may have caused his lockup.  During this time, Christopher was left alone, except for his cat Jeoffrey and the occasional visitor or onlooker. 

With nothing to do, he devoted himself to God and to writing this fantastic poem. He was released from the asylum on January 30, 1763, but his poem was not to be published until 1939.   I saw an amazing group reading of the poem in NYC in the 1980's, with readings by select famous poets.  

Here is the fifth section of the poem:

For God has given us a language of monosyllables to prevent our clipping.

For a toad enjoys a finer prospect than another creature to compensate his lack.

Tho' toad I am the object of man's hate.
Yet better am I than a reprobate.       who has the worst of prospects.
For there are stones, whose constituent particles are little toads.

For the spiritual musick is as follows.

For there is the thunder-stop, which is the voice of God direct.

For the rest of the stops are by their rhimes.

For the trumpet rhimes are sound bound, soar more and the like.

For the Shawm rhimes are lawn fawn moon boon and the like.

For the harp rhimes are sing ring string and the like.

For the cymbal rhimes are bell well toll soul and the like.

For the flute rhimes are tooth youth suit mute and the like.
---o0o---

For the dulcimer rhimes are grace place beat heat and the like.

For the Clarinet rhimes are clean seen and the like.

For the Bassoon rhimes are pass, class and the like. God be gracious to Baumgarden.

For the dulcimer are rather van fan and the like and grace place &c are of the bassoon.

For beat heat, weep peep &c are of the pipe.

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

For the dissyllables such as able table &c are the fiddle rhimes.

For all dissyllables and some trissyllables are fiddle rhimes.

For the relations of words are in pairs first.

For the relations of words are sometimes in oppositions.

For the relations of words are according to their distances from the pair.

For there be twelve cardinal virtues the gifts of the twelve sons of Jacob.

For Reuben is Great. God be gracious to Lord Falmouth.

For Simeon is Valiant. God be gracious to the Duke of Somerset.

For Levi is Pious. God be gracious to the Bishop of London.

For Judah is Good. God be gracious to Lord Granville.

For Dan is Clean -- neat, dextrous, apt, active, compact. God be gracious to Draper.

For Naphtali is sublime -- God be gracious to Chesterfield.

For Gad is Contemplative -- God be gracious to Lord Northampton.

For Ashur is Happy -- God be gracious to George Bowes.

For Issachar is strong -- God be gracious to the Duke of Dorsett.

For Zabulon is Constant -- God be gracious to Lord Bath.

For Joseph is Pleasant -- God be gracious to Lord Bolingbroke.

For Benjamin is Wise -- God be gracious to Honeywood.

For all Foundation is from God depending.

For the two Universities are the Eyes of England.

For Cambridge is the right and the brightest.

For Pembroke Hall was founded more in the Lord than any College in Cambridge.

For mustard is the proper food of birds and men are bound to cultivate it for their use.

For they that study the works of God are peculiarly assisted by his Spirit.

For all the creatures mentiond by Pliny are somewhere or other extant to the glory of God.

For Rye is food rather for fowls than men.

For Rye-bread is not taken with thankfulness.

For the lack of Rye may be supplied by Spelt.

For languages work into one another by their bearings.

For the power of some animal is predominant in every language.

For the power and spirit of a CAT is in the Greek.

For the sound of a cat is in the most useful preposition ?at' e???? .

For the pleasantry of a cat at pranks is in the language ten thousand times over.

For JACK UPON PRANCK is in the performance of pe?? together or seperate.

For Clapperclaw is in the grappling of the words upon one another in all the modes of versification.

For the sleekness of a Cat is in his a??a??f? .

For the Greek is thrown from heaven and falls upon its feet.

For the Greek when distracted from the line is sooner restored to rank and rallied into some form than any other.

For the purring of a Cat is his t???e? .

For his cry is in ??a? , which I am sorry for.

For the Mouse (Mus) prevails in the Latin.

For Edi-mus, bibi-mus, vivi-mus -- ore-mus.

For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour.

For -- this is a true case -- Cat takes female mouse from the company of male -- male mouse will not depart, but stands threatning and daring.

For this is as much as to challenge, if you will let her go, I will engage you, as prodigious a creature as you are.

For the Mouse is of an hospitable disposition.

For bravery and hospitality were said and done by the Romans rather than others.

For two creatures the Bull and the Dog prevail in the English.

For all the words ending in ble are in the creature. Invisi-ble, Incomprehensi-ble, ineffa-ble, A-ble.

For the Greek and Latin are not dead languages, but taken up and accepted for the sake of him that spake them.

For can is (canis) is cause and effect a dog.

For the English is concise and strong. Dog and Bull again.

For Newton's notion of colours is a????? unphilosophical.

For the colours are spiritual.

For WHITE is the first and the best.

For there are many intermediate colours, before you come to SILVER.

For the next colour is a lively GREY.

For the next colour is BLUE.

For the next is GREEN of which there are ten thousand distinct sorts.

For the next is YELLOW which is more excellent than red, tho Newton makes red the prime. God be gracious to John Delap.

For RED is the next working round the Orange.

For Red is of sundry sorts till it deepens to BLACK.

For black blooms and it is PURPLE.

For purple works off to BROWN which is of ten thousand acceptable shades.

For the next is PALE. God be gracious to William Whitehead.

For pale works about to White again.

NOW that colour is spiritual appears inasmuch as the blessing of God upon all things descends in colour.

For the blessing of health upon the human face is in colour.

For the blessing of God upon purity is in the Virgin's blushes.

For the blessing of God in colour is on him that keeps his virgin.

For I saw a blush in Staindrop Church, which was of God's own colouring.

For it was the benevolence of a virgin shewn to me before the whole congregation.

For the blessing of God upon the grass is in shades of Green visible to a nice observer as they light upon the surface of the earth.

For the blessing of God unto perfection in all bloom and fruit is by colouring.

For from hence something in the spirit may be taken off by painters.

For Painting is a species of idolatry, tho' not so gross as statuary.

For it is not good to look with earning upon any dead work.

For by so doing something is lost in the spirit and given from life to death.

For BULL in the first place is the word of Almighty God.

For he is a creature of infinite magnitude in the height.

For there is the model of every beast of the field in the height.

For they are blessed intelligences and all angels of the living God.

For there are many words under Bull.

For Bul the Month is under it.

For Sea is under Bull.

For Brook is under Bull. God be gracious to Lord Bolingbroke.

For Rock is under Bull.

For Bullfinch is under Bull. God be gracious to the Duke of Cleveland.

For God, which always keeps his work in view has paited a Bullfinch in the heart of a stone. God be gracious to Gosling and Canterbury.

For the Bluecap is under Bull.

For the Humming Bird is under Bull.

For Beetle is under Bull.

For Toad is under bull.

For Frog is under Bull, which he has a delight to look at.

For the Pheasant-eyed Pink is under Bull. Blessed Jesus R4NK EL.

For Bugloss is under Bull.

For Bugle is under Bull.

For Oxeye is under Bull.

For Fire is under Bull.

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 is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.

For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.

For he rolls upon prank to work it in.

For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.

For this he performs in ten degrees.

For first he looks upon his fore-paws to see if they are clean.

For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.

For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the fore paws extended.

For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.

For fifthly he washes himself.

For Sixthly he rolls upon wash.

For Seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.

For Eighthly he rubs himself against a post.

For Ninthly he looks up for his instructions.

For Tenthly he goes in quest of food.

For having consider'd God and himself he will consider his neighbour.

For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.

For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it chance.

For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.

For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins.

For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.

For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.

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

For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.

For he is of the tribe of Tiger.

For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.

For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.

For he will not do destruction, if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.

For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he's a good Cat.

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

For every house is incompleat without him and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.

For the Lord commanded Moses concerning the cats at the departure of the Children of Israel from Egypt.

For every family had one cat at least in the bag.

For the English Cats are the best in Europe.

For he is the cleanest in the use of his fore-paws of any quadrupede.

For the dexterity of his defence is an instance of the love of God to him exceedingly.

For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.

For he is tenacious of his point.

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.

For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.

For he is of the Lord's poor and so indeed is he called by benevolence perpetually -- Poor Jeoffry! poor Jeoffry! the rat has bit thy throat.

For I bless the name of the Lord Jesus that Jeoffry is better.

For the divine spirit comes about his body to sustain it in compleat cat.

For his tongue is exceeding pure so that it has in purity what it wants in musick.

For he is docile and can learn certain things.

For he can set up with gravity which is patience upon approbation.

For he can fetch and carry, which is patience in employment.

For he can jump over a stick which is patience upon proof positive.

For he can spraggle upon waggle at the word of command.

For he can jump from an eminence into his master's bosom.

For he can catch the cork and toss it again.

For he is hated by the hypocrite and miser.

For the former is affraid of detection.

For the latter refuses the charge.

For he camels his back to bear the first notion of business.

For he is good to think on, if a man would express himself neatly.

For he made a great figure in Egypt for his signal services.

For he killed the Icneumon-rat very pernicious by land.

For his ears are so acute that they sting again.

For from this proceeds the passing quickness of his attention.

For by stroaking of him I have found out electricity.

For I perceived God's light about him both wax and fire.

For the Electrical fire is the spiritual substance, which God sends from heaven to sustain the bodies both of man and beast.

For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.

For, tho he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.

For his motions upon the face of the earth are more than any other quadrupede.

For he can tread to all the measures upon the musick.

For he can swim for life.

For he can creep.
---o0o---

Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno," Fragment B3

by Jack Brummet, Poetry Editor 

Kit Smart's Jubilate Agno is one of my very favorite poems of all time.  He wrote it in an insane asylum.  A "Commission of Lunacy" was taken out against Christopher Smart, and he was admitted in St. Luke's Hospital on May 6, 1757 as a "Curable Patient" by his wife Anna's stepfather John Newbery.  

There is evidence that an incident took place in St. James’s Park in which he "routed all the company" (Jubilate Agno B89), an incident which may have caused his lockup.  During this time, Christopher was left alone, except for his cat Jeoffrey and the occasional visitor or onlooker. 

With nothing to do, he devoted himself to God and to writing this fantastic poem. He was released from the asylum on January 30, 1763, but his poem was not to be published until 1939.   I saw an amazing group reading of the poem in NYC in the 1980's, with readings by select famous poets.  

  

This is our fourth installment--next up Fragments B4, C, and D. 

__________________________

For a Man is to be looked upon in that which he excels as on a prospect.

For there be twelve cardinal virtues -- three to the East -- Greatness, Valour, Piety.

For there be three to the West -- Goodness, Purity and Sublimity.

For there be three to the North -- Meditation, Happiness, Strength.

For there be three to the South -- Constancy, Pleasantry and Wisdom.

For the Argument A PRIORI is GOD in every man's CONSCIENCE.

For the Argument A POSTERIORI is God before every man's eyes.

For the Four and Twenty Elders of the Revelation are Four and Twenty Eternities.

For their Four and Twenty Crowns are their respective Consummations.

For a CHARACTER is the votes of the Worldlings, but the seal is of Almighty GOD alone.

For there is no musick in flats and sharps which are not in God's natural key.

For where Accusation takes the place of encouragement a man of Genius is driven to act the vices of a fool.

For the Devil can set a house on fire, when the inhabitants find combustibles.

For the old account of time is the true -- Decr 28th 1759-60 -- -- --

For Faith as a grain of mustard seed is to believe, as I do, that an Eternity is such in respect to the power and magnitude of Almighty God.

For a DREAM is a good thing from GOD.

For there is a dream from the adversary which is terror.

For the phenomenon of dreaming is not of one solution, but many.

For Eternity is like a grain of mustard as a growing body and improving spirit.

For the malignancy of fire is oweing to the Devil's hiding of light, till it became visible darkness.

For the Circle may be SQUARED by swelling and flattening.

For the Life of God is in the body of man and his spirit in the Soul.

For there was no rain in Paradise because of the delicate construction of the spiritual herbs and flowers.

For the Planet Mercury is the WORD DISCERNMENT.

For the Scotchman seeks for truth at the bottom of a well, the Englishman in the Heavn of Heavens.

For the Planet Venus is the WORD PRUDENCE or providence.

For GOD nevertheless is an extravagant BEING and generous unto loss.

For there is no profit in the generation of man and the loss of millions is not worth God's tear.

For this is the twelfth day of the MILLENNIUM of the MILLENNIUM foretold by the prophets -- give the glory to God ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY --

For the Planet Mars is the word FORTITUDE.

For to worship naked in the Rain is the bravest thing for the refreshing and purifying the body.

For the Planet Jupiter is the WORD DISPENSATION.

For Tully says to be generous you must be first just, but the voice of Christ is distribute at all events.

For Kittim is the father of the Pygmies, God be gracious to Pigg his family.

For the Soul is divisible and a portion of the Spirit may be cut off from one and applied to another.

For NEW BREAD is the most wholesome especially if it be leaven'd with honey.

For a NEW SONG also is best, if it be to the glory of God; and taken with the food like the psalms.

For the Planet Saturn is the word TEMPERANCE or PATIENCE.

For Jacob's Ladder are the steps of the Earth graduated hence to Paradice and thence to the throne of God.

For a good wish is well but a faithful prayer is an eternal benefit.

For SPICA VIRGINIS is the star that appeared to the wise men in the East and directed their way before it was yet insphered.

For an IDEA is the mental vision of an object.

For Lock supposes that an human creature, at a given time may be an atheist i.e. without God, by the folly of his doctrine concerning innate ideas.

For it is not lawful to sell poyson in England any more than it is in Venice, the Lord restrain both the finder and receiver.

For the ACCENTS are the invention of the Moabites, who learning the GREEK tongue marked the words after their own vicious pronuntiation.

For the GAULS (the now-French and original Moabites) after they were subdued by Cæsar became such Grecians at Rome.

For the Gaullic manuscripts fell into the hands of the inventors of printing.

For all the inventions of man, which are good, are the communications of Almighty God.

For all the stars have satellites, which are terms under their respective words.

For tiger is a word and his satellites are Griffin, Storgis, Cat and others.

For my talent is to give an Impression upon words by punching, that when the reader casts his eye upon 'em, he takes up the image from the mould which I have made.

For JOB was the son of Issachar and patience is the child of strength.

For the Names of the DAYS, as they now stand, are foolish and abominable.

For the Days are the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh.

For the names of the months are false -- the Hebrew appellatives are of God.

For the Time of the Lord's temptation was in early youth and imminent danger.

For an equivocal generation is a generation and no generation.

For putrifying matter nevertheless will yield up its life in diverse creatures and combinations of creatures.

For a TOAD can dwell in the centre of a stone, because -- there are stones whose constituent life is of those creatures.

For a Toad hath by means of his eye the most beautiful prospects of any other animal to make him amends for his distance from his Creator in Glory.

For FAT is the fruit of benevolence, therefore it was the Lord's in the Mosaic sacrifices.

For the very particular laws of Moses are the determinations of CASES that fell under his cognizance.

For the Devil can make the shadow thicker by candlelight by reason of his pow'r over malignant fire.

For the Romans clipped their words in the Augustan thro idleness and effeminacy and paid foreign actors for speaking them out.

For when the weight and the pow'r are equivalent the prop is of none effect.

For shaving of the beard was an invention of the people of Sodom to make men look like women.

For the ends of the world are the accomplishment of great events, and the consummation of periods.

For ignorance is a sin because illumination is to be obtained by prayer.

For Preferment is not from the East, West or South, but from the North, where Satan has most power.

For the ministers of the Devil set the hewer of wood over the head of God's free Man.

For this inverting God's good order, edifice and edification, and appointing place, where the Lord has not appointed.

For the Ethiopian question is already solved in that the Blacks are the children of Cain.

For the phenomenon of the horizontal moon is the truth -- she appears bigger in the horizon because she actually is so.

For it was said of old 'can the Ethiopian change his skin?' the Lord has answered the question by his merit and death he shall. --

For the moon is magnified in the horizon by Almighty God, and so is the Sun.

For she has done her day's-work and the blessing of God upon her, and she communicates with the earth.

For when she rises she has been strength'ned by the Sun, who cherishes her by night.

For man is born to trouble in the body, as the sparks fly upwards in the spirit.

For man is between the pinchers while his soul is shaping and purifying.

For the ENGLISH are the seed of Abraham and work up to him by Joab, David, and Naphtali. God be gracious to us this day. General Fast March 14th 1760.

For the Romans and the English are one people the children of the brave man who died at the altar praying for his posterity, whose death was the type of our Saviour's.

For the WELCH are the children of Mephibosheth and Ziba with a mixture of David in the Jones's.

For the Scotch are the children of Doeg with a mixture of Cush the Benjamite, whence their innate antipathy to the English.

For the IRISH are the children of Shimei and Cush with a mixture of something lower -- the Lord raise them!

For the FRENCH are Moabites even the children of Lot.

For the DUTCH are the children of Gog.

For the Poles are the children of Magog.

For the Italians are the children of Samuel and are the same as the Grecians.

For the Spaniards are the children of Abishai Joab's brother, hence is the goodwill between the two nations.

For the Portuguese are the children of Amman -- God be gracious to Lisbon and send good angels amongst them!

For the Hottentots are the children of Gog with a Black mixture.

For the Russians are the Children of Ishmael.

For the Turks are the children of Esaw, which is Edom.

For the Wallachians are the children of Huz. God be gracious to Elizabeth Hughes, as she was.

For the Germans are the children of the Philistins even the seed of Anak.

For the Prussians are the children of Goliah -- but the present, whom God bless this hour, is a Campbell of the seed of Phinees.

For the Hanoverians are Hittites of the seed of Uriah. God save the king.

For the Hessians are Philistines with a mixture of Judah.

For the Saxons are Benjamites, men of great subtlety and Marshal Saxe was direct from Benjamin.

For the Danes are of the children of Zabulon.

For the Venetians are the children of Mark and Romans.

For the Swiss are Philistins of a particular family. God be gracious to Jonathan Tyers his family and to all the people at Vaux Hall.

For the Sardinians are of the seed of David -- The Lord forward the Reformation amongst the good seed first. --

For the Mogul's people are the children of Phut.

For the Old Greeks and the Italians are one people, which are blessed in the gift of Mustek by reason of the song of Hannah and the care of Samuel with regard to divine melody.

For the Germans and the Dutch are the children of the Goths and Vandals who did a good in destruction books written by heathen Free-Thinkers against God.

For there are Americans of the children of Toi. --

For the Laplanders are the children of Gomer.

For the Phenomena of the Diving Bell are solved right in the schools.

For NEW BREAD is the most wholesome -- God be gracious to Baker.

For the English are the children of Joab, Captain of the host of Israel, who was the greatest man in the world to GIVE and to ATCHIEVE.

For TEA is a blessed plant and of excellent virtue. God give the Physicians more skill and honesty!

For nutmeg is exceeding wholesome and cherishing, neither does it hurt the liver.

For The Lightning before death is God's illumination in the spirit for preparation and for warning.

For Lavender Cotton is exceeding good for the teeth. God be gracious to Windsmore.

For the Fern is exceeding good and pleasant to rub the teeth.

For a strong preparation of Mandragora is good for the gout.

For the Bark was a communication from God and is sovereign.

For the method of curing an ague by terror is exaction.

For Exaction is the most accursed of all things, because it brought the Lord to the cross, his betrayers and murderers being such from their exaction.

For an Ague is the terror of the body, when the blessing of God is withheld for a season.

For benevolence is the best remedy in the first place and the bark in the second.

For, when the nation is at war, it is better to abstain from the punishment of criminals especially, every act of human vengeance being a check to the grace of God.

For the letter ? [Hebrew character lamed] which signifies GOD by himself is on the fibre of some leaf in every Tree.

For ? is the grain of the human heart and on the network of the skin.

For ? is in the veins of all stones both precious and common.

For ? is upon every hair both of man and beast.

For ? is in the grain of wood.

For ? is in the ore of all metals.

For ? is on the scales of all fish.

For ? is on the petals of all flowers.

For ? is upon on all shells.

For ? is in the constituent particles of air.

For ? is on the mite of the earth.

For ? is in the water yea in every drop.

For ? is in the incomprehensible ingredients of fire.

For ? is in the stars the sun and in the Moon.

For ? is upon the Sapphire Vault.

For the doubling of flowers is the improvement of the gardners talent.

For the flowers are great blessings.

For the Lord made a Nosegay in the meadow with his disciples and preached upon the lily.

For the angels of God took it out of his hand and carried it to the Height.

For a man cannot have publick spirit, who is void of private benevolence.

For there is no Height in which there are not flowers.

For flowers have great virtues for all the senses.

For the flower glorifies God and the root parries the adversary.

For the flowers have their angels even the words of God's Creation.

For the warp and woof of flowers are worked by perpetual moving spirits.

For flowers are good both for the living and the dead.

For there is a language of flowers.

For there is a sound reasoning upon all flowers.

For elegant phrases are nothing but flowers.

For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ.

For flowers are medicinal.

For flowers are musical in ocular harmony.

For the right names of flowers are yet in heaven. God make gard'ners better nomenclators.

For the Poorman's nosegay is an introduction to a Prince.

For it were better for the SERVICE, if only select psalms were read.

For the Lamentations of Jeremiah, Songs from other scriptures, and parts of Esdras might be taken to supply the quantity.

For A is the beginning of learning and the door of heaven.

For B is a creature busy and bustling.

For C is a sense quick and penetrating.

For D is depth.

For E is eternity -- such is the power of the English letters taken singly.

For F is faith.

For G is God -- whom I pray to be gracious to Liveware my fellow prisoner.

For H is not a letter, but a spirit -- Benedicatur Jesus Christus, sic spirem!

For I is identity. God be gracious to Henry Hatsell.

For K is king.

For L is love. God in every language.

For M is musick and Hebrew ? [Hebrew character mem] is the direct figure of God's harp.

For N is new.

For O is open.

For P is power.

For Q is quick.

For R is right.

For S is soul.

For T is truth. God be gracious to Jermyn Pratt and to Harriote his Sister.

For U is unity, and his right name is Uve to work it double.

For W is word.

For X [drawn as a backwards G and a G stuck together] is hope -- consisting of two check G -- God be gracious to Anne Hope.

For Y is yea. God be gracious to Eennet and his family!

For Z is zeal.

For in the education of children it is necessary to watch the words, -which they pronounce with difficulty, for such are against them in their consequences.

For A is awe, if pronounced full. Stand in awe and sin not.

For B pronounced in the animal is bey importing authority.

For C pronounced hard is ke importing to shut.

For D pronounced full is day.

For E is east particularly when formed little e with his eye.

For F in it's secondary meaning is fair.

For G in a secondary sense is good.

For H is heave.

For I is the organ of vision.

For K is keep.

For L is light, and ? [Hebrew character lamed] is the line of beauty.

For M is meet.

For N is nay.

For O is over.

For P is peace.

For Q is quarter.

For R is rain, or thus reign, or thus rein.

For S is save.

For T is take.

For V is veil.

For W is world.

For X [drawn as a backwards G and a G stuck together] beginneth not, but connects and continues.

For Y is young -- the Lord direct me in the better way of going on in the Fifth year of my jeopardy June the 17th N.S. 1760. God be gracious to Dr YOUNG.

For Z is zest. God give us all a relish of our duty.

For Action and Speaking are one according to God and the Ancients.

For the approaches of Death are by illumination.

For a man cannot have Publick Spirit, who is void of private benevolence.

For the order of Alamoth is first three, second six, third eighteen, fourth fifty four, and then the whole band.

For the order of Sheminith is first ten, second twenty, third thirty and then the whole band.

For the first entrance into Heaven is by complement.

For Flowers can see, and Pope's Carnations knew him.

For the devil works upon damps and lowth and causes agues.

For Ignorance is a sin, because illumination is to be had by prayer.

For many a genius being lost at the plough is a false thought -- the divine providence is a better manager.

For a man's idleness is the fruit of the adversary's diligence.

For diligence is the gift of God, as well as other good things.

For it is a good NOTHING in one's own eyes and in the eyes of fools.

For æra in its primitive sense is but a weed amongst corn.

For there is no knowing of times and seasons, in submitting them to God stands the Christian's Chronology.

For Jacob's brown sheep wore the Golden fleece.

For Shaving of the face was the invention of the Sodomites to make men look like women.

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