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.
Copyright ©
Ben Burton
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