Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/587

 CHRISTOPHER SMART

Tell them, I AM, Jehovah said

To 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.

The world, the clustering spheres, He made; The glorious light, the soothing shade,

Dale, champaign, grove, and hill; The multitudinous abyss, Where Secrecy remains in bliss,

And Wisdom hides her skill.

The pillars of the Lord are seven,

Which stand from earth to topmost heaven ;

His Wisdom drew the plan ; His Word accomplish'd the design, From brightest gem to deepest mine;

From Christ enthroned, to Man.

For Adoration all the ranks Of Angels yield eternal thanks,

And David in the midst; With God's good poor, which, last and least In man's esteem, Thou to Thy feast,

O blessed Bridegroom, bidd'st!

For Adoration, David's Psalms Lift up the heart to deeds of alms;

And he, who kneels and chants, Prevails his passions to control, Finds meat and medicine to the soul,

Which for translation pants.

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