Jubilate Agno by Christopher Smart

It translates from Latin to 'Rejoice in the Lamb.' This title indicates the poem's religious intent and its ties to the Psalms, which often urge joy. While the 'Lamb' symbolizes Christ, Smart broadens the celebration to encompass all of creation.

He spent time in asylums twice, and contemporaries like Samuel Johnson noted that his behavior was erratic. Today, many readers and scholars view his 'madness' as a mix of intense religious fervor and alcoholism. The poem is unusual yet maintains a clear logic throughout.

It offers one of the most affectionate and enduring portrayals of a pet in English poetry. The speaker observes Jeoffry with complete focus and finds praise in every little thing he does—the morning stretch, the hunt, the face-washing. It's humorous, sharp, and truly touching, making it stand out even in a lengthy, intricate poem.

Smart modeled the poem after Hebrew antiphonal poetry, where two groups or voices engage in a responsive dialogue. The 'Let' lines serve as calls or commands ('Let X praise God'), while the 'For' lines provide testimonies or reasons ('For I have observed Y'). Only the 'For' sections remain intact; most of the 'Let' lines have either been lost or are only partially preserved.

The manuscript remained unpublished until 1939, when William Force Stead edited it. Smart never intended it for publication; it was a private work, likely not meant for an audience. For almost two centuries, it went unnoticed until scholars finally acknowledged its significance.

It is filled with scripture, particularly the Psalms and the Book of Revelation. Smart's cataloguing approach reflects the lists found in Psalm 148 and 150, which invite all creatures to praise God. He also references the prophetic books, positioning himself as a modern prophet sharing God's praise from a place of captivity.

Yes, very much so — although it took some time for it to gain recognition. After its publication in 1939, it was seen as a precursor to visionary Romantic poetry and had a direct impact on poets like Allen Ginsberg, whose Howl reflects Smart's long-line, catalogue style. Benjamin Britten also composed music for the Jeoffry section in his 1943 cantata Rejoice in the Lamb.

It has no consistent metre or rhyme scheme. Each line stands alone as a distinct expression of praise, loosely inspired by the Hebrew verses in the King James Bible. The structure is open and accumulative—Smart continually adds, notices, and praises. This openness contributes to its vibrant and unusual feel.