The Story of Zaccheus

Through Jericho as Jesus came
A man (Zaccheus was his name)
Chief of the Publicans for gold
And pow’r, sought Jesus to behold;
But could not for the press his eyes
Indulge by reason of his size.
He therefore hasty ran before,
And climb’d upon a sycamore,
That he his passing Lord might see,
Who when he came beside the tree,
Look’d up, and saw him o’er his head,
“Zaccheus, haste, come down, he said;
“For in thy house this very day
“Thy Lord has purposed to stay.”
He therefore coming down in haste,
With joy his holy Guest embrac’d:
Which when observ’d by all the rest,
They murmur’d, that he went a guest
With one so much immers’d in sin.
Mean time Zaccheus stood within,
And said unto the Lord, “Behold,
“The half of my ill-gotten gold
“I give the poor; and if by theft,
“Or falshood, any I've bereft,
“Four-fold the same I will replace.”
Then answer’d Jesus, This day grace
Is come upon this house; for he
Is also Abraham’s progeny.
Praise-worthy in a high degree
Is godly curiosity;
To search the Lord, above, around,
If haply he may yet be found.
Short-sighted reason, dwarf desire,
Are faith and zeal when lifted high’r.
Then on the Tree of Life sublime
With hands and knees devoutly climb;
Catch mercy’s moments as they fly,
Behold! the Lord is passing by.

                  —Christopher Smart  (1722-1771)