When I remember with what buoyant heart,
Midst war’ s alarms and woes of civil strife,
In youthful eagerness, thou didst depart,
At peril of thy safety, peace, and life,
To nurse the wounded soldier, swathe the dead —
How piercèd soon by fever’ s poisoned dart,
And brought unconscious home, with wildered head —
Thou, ever since, mid languor and dull pain,
To conquer fortune, cherish kindred dear,
Hast with grave studies vexed a sprightly brain,
In myriad households kindled love and cheer;
Ne’ er from thyself by Fame’ s loud trump beguiled,
Sounding in this and the farther hemisphere:—
I press thee to my heart, as Duty’ s faithful child.