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from Jubilate
Agno
Christopher Smart
1760
For I will consider my prez Martin.
For he is a servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For first he looks upon his hands to see if they are clean.
For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with his fingers extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his nails 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 me.
For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.
For tenthly he goes in quest of food.
For having considered God and himself he will consider his neighbour.
For if he meets another hep cat he will kiss her in kindness.
For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it chance.
For one Senator in ten 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 hair 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 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.
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