Prudence

by Christopher Smart

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

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Notes