Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/588

 CHRISTOPHER SMART

For Adoration, in the dome

Of Christ, the sparrows find a home,

And on His olives perch. The swallow also dwells with thee, O man of God's humility,

Within his Saviour's church. Sweet is the dew that falls betimes, And drops upon the leafy limes,

Sweet, Hermon's fragrant air: Sweet is the lily's silver bell, And sweet the Wakeful taper's smell

That watch for early prayer. Sweet the young nurse, with love intense, Which smiles o'er sleeping innocence,

Sweet, when the lost arrive. Sweet the mubician's ardour beats, While his vague mind 's in quest of sweets,

The choicest flowers to hive. Strong is the horse upon his speed; Strong in pursuit the rapid glede,

Which makes at once his game: Strong the tall ostrich on the ground , Strong through the turbulent profound

Shoots Xiphias to hib aim. Strong is the lion like a coal His eyeball, like a bastion's mole

His chest against the foes. Strong the gier-eagle on his sail ; Strong against tide th' enormous whale

Emerges as he goes.

glede] kite. Xiphias] sword-fish.

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