For I Will Consider My Cat

I recently rediscovered this eighteenth century poem by Christopher Smart in a (rather odd) collection of patriotic poems I found in a charity shop.

It is the very picture of feline behaviour.

I especially like the line 'wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness', which I think of every time our puss gets comfy on the sofa - inevitably in the exact spot you were about to sit it.

For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry (Jubilate Agno by Christopher Smart)

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 ...'

This is just a snippet, you can read the whole Jeoffry section here.

There's also a version set to music by Benjamin Britten here. 

[http://thisbutterflymind.blogspot.com/]