Christopher Smart

“ To serve the Lord with all my heart;
15 To shun the wily lures of sin,
And claim the prize, or e're I start. [2]
Notes
The story of Hannah and the birth of her son Samuel (1 Sam. 1) , was favorite of Smart's (see "Jubilato Agno", B458 etc.) . ↑ 9—10. See 1 Sam. 2:11.↑ 16. And claim the prize, or e're I start. — "e're" printed as "ere" in ed. 1772 and 1786, and "before" in ed, 1772a. Cf. Phil. 3:14: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus". ”