Only the noblest human souls
Engage in woman’s highest work,
The selfish and hard-hearted ones,
Can always find excuse to shirk.
The sick are hard to satisfy,
And the nurse exerts her trained skill,
Sometimes to give, sometimes deny,
And mildly sway the fickle will.
By sweet smiles and true devotion,
She makes the invalid her friend,
Who appreciates the kindness,
With which she does his wants attend.
When wild becomes the fevered brain,
The patient thinks the nurse his foe.
Imagines he is in a fight,
And strikes his friend a fearful blow.
With wondrous strength she holds him down,
“Let go (he cries) I’ll break your head,”
And when his frenzy has expired,
Sinks back exhausted, almost dead.
Now the nurse’s fine work begins,
The right remedies are applied,
She calls the doctor, orders help,
And does not leave the patient’s side.
With noble zeal, the doctor’s help,
And support from the patient’s friends,
Reason returns, the strength’s restored,
And the sick man’s condition mends.
Thru all the trials in her work,
The nurse must wear a smile serene,
The patient may rave, scold and swear,
No frown upon her face is seen.
The splendid self control she shows,
Is worthy of the highest praise,
May Heaven grant well earned reward,
And fill her life with happy days.