Prudence

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Hymn IV. Prudence  (1771) 
by Christopher Smart
From the Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1771).
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HYMN IV.

PRUDENCE.


O best oeconomist of life,
      Tho' all the passions were at strife;
Yet thou, fair Prudence, could'st assuage
      The storm, and moderate its rage.

5With Dove and Serpent at thy call,
      As caution'd by the Lord of all,
Thou art in Christ full well aware,
      Of open force or secret snare.

To check thy thoughts divinely meek,
      10To weigh thy words before you speak,
To make the day's demand secure,
      To be the treas'rer of the poor:

All these, Prudentia, these are thine,
      And God thro' Christ shall make them mine;
15To do my best till life shall end,
      Then on futurity depend.


1771

Notes

PD-icon.svg This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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