Far above their usual trim;
Birds on box and laurels listen
As so near the cherubs hymn
Boreas now no longer winters
On the desolated coast
Oaks no more are riv'n in splinters
By the whirlwind and his host
Spinks and ouzles sing sublimely
"We too have a Saviour born,"
Whiter blossoms burst untimely
On the blest Mosaic thorn.
God all-bounteous, all creative,
Whom no ills from good dissuade,
Is incarnate, and a native
Of the very world he made.
I came across this poem by Christopher Smart and it made me think of some of my favourite Christmas poems by Robert Southwell and Richard Crashaw.
Smart's is such a beautiful poem, although not at all well known today. Not a contemporary of Robert Southwell or Richard Crashaw, Smart was born 150 years later, he has the religious fervour and lyrical virtuosity of both poets. I particularly love the line "spinks and ouzles sing sublimely..." It conjures up such beautiful images of birds.
It does seem a shame that the work of all three poets is no longer known or read. Today's readers are missing out on such a wealth of poetry, especially works related to the Christmas period.