Beloved Physician

The majority of the following poem was lost forever, except for a portion recalled by the author's lady friend, many years after his untimely death. I will post the recollections of Mrs. Shew-Houghton first, followed by my own additions (appearing in ALL CAPS). The Beautiful Physician (Poe's last poem) The pulse beats ten and intermits; God nerve the soul that ne’er forgets In calm or storm, by night or day, Its steady toil, its loyalty. [. . .] [. . .] The pulse beats ten and intermits; God shield the soul that ne’er forgets. [. . .] [. . .] The pulse beats ten and intermits; God guide the soul that ne’er forgets. [. . .] [. . .] so tired, so weary, The soft head bows, the sweet eyes close, The faithful heart yields to repose. Beloved Physician © EA Poe & Ben Burton (1849 & 2015) The pulse beats ten and intermits; God nerve the soul that ne’er forgets In calm or storm, by night or day, Its steady toil, its loyalty. The pulse beats ten and intermits; God BLESS the soul that ne’er forgets THE PAPERS EARNED THROUGH STEADY TOIL GREAT PASSION BURNING MIDNIGHT OIL The pulse beats ten and intermits; God SAVE the soul that ne’er forgets. AND LOITERS NOT FOR RECOMPENSE BUT HEEDS THE FIRST CALL TO ATTEND The pulse beats ten and intermits; God LIGHT the soul that ne’er forgets. THE GENTLE SMILE BEFORE THE CUT WITH CONFIDENCE, THE CALMING HUSH The pulse beats ten and intermits; God LEAD the soul that ne’er forgets WITH KNOWLEDGE EARNED, AND SKILLS APPLIED BY NIMBLE HAND, INCISIVE EYE The pulse beats ten and intermits; God shield the soul that ne’er forgets. FIRST DO NO HARM, THEN DO WHAT'S BEST WHEN ALL ROADS FAIL, THE INFORMED GUESS The pulse beats ten and intermits; God guide the soul that ne’er forgets. IN PLAGUE AND WAR, THE NUMBERS MASS IN DOUBLE TIME, REVEAL THE PATH The pulse beats ten and intermits; God SHOW the soul that ne’er forgets. WITH HEART RATE DROPPING STEADILY LAST RITES INSPIRE ETERNITY The pulse beats ten and intermits; ALAS, BESET WITH WEARINESS The soft head bows, the sweet eyes close, The faithful heart yields to repose.