Feline Foto Friday: Rejoice in the Cat

From Benjamin Britten's cantata Rejoice in the Lamb, a setting of a text by Christopher Smart, who (according to Walter Hussey) was "an eighteenth century poet, deeply religious, but of a strange and unbalanced mind." Britten used only a tiny excerpt (below); the complete and utterly delightful text here.

For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
For he knows that God is his Saviour.
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God.

Comments

[sfmike]

One of my all-time favorite pieces of music, actually, and glad to finally have the full, crazy poem by Christopher Smart. Thanks

[Mme. Grisi Pasta]

Your kitty may be amazing, but remember:

"For the Mouse is a creature
Of great personal valour.
For this is a true case--
Cat takes female mouse,
Male mouse will not depart,
but stands threat'ning and daring.
If you will let her go,
I will engage you,
As prodigious a creature as you are.

For the Mouse is a creature
Of great personal valour.
For the Mouse is of
An hospitable disposition."

[M. C-]

Oh, his mousing days are long over. He's a kind-hearted, older gentleman, not a ruthless killer. I'm sure if a mouse crossed his path, he's just try to befriend him.

[Ms. L]

Thanks for posting that. It reminded me of my cat-friend, Katrina.

[Lynn S]

The cat in the picture looks exactly like one of my cats. My little friend is only about 2 years old and not little at all for a cat.

There's a line in the poem which wasn't set in the Britten piece:

" For he purrs when God tells him he's a Good Cat"