Hearts lately pregnant with infectious fire;
Hands, by whose grasp contagion was conveyed,
As sure as electricity by wire.
Full many a gas of direst power unclean,
The dark o’erpeopled graves of London bear,
Full many a poison, born to kill unseen,
And spread its rankness in the neighbouring air.
Some district Surgeon, that with dauntless breast
The epidemic ’mongst the poor withstood,
Some brave, humane Physician here may rest,