Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1791)/Learning

by Christopher Smart

HYMN XVI.

LEARNING.

Come, come with emulative strife,
To learn the way, the truth, and life,
 Which Jesus is in one;
In all sound doctrine he proceeds,
5 From Alpha to Omega leads,
 E'en Spirit, Sire, and Son.

Sure of th'exceeding great reward,
Midst all your learning learn the Lord —
 This was thy doctrine, Paul;
10 And this thy lecture shou'd persuade,
Tho' thou hadst more of human aid,
 Than thy blest brethren all.

Humanity's a charming thing,
And every science of the ring,
15 Good is the classic lore;
For these are helps along the road,
That leads to Zion's blest abode,
 And heav'nly muse's store.

But greater still in each respect,
20 He that communicates direct
 The tutor of the soul;
Who without pain, degrees or parts,
While he illuminates our hearts,
 Can teach at once the whole.

 

Notes