Comfort and cheeriness we want, play or a pipe, romps or a chatter.
The Nazareth Sisterhood know this, and what is more, they work according.
'Tis love and comfort make a Home, without 'em 'tis bare roof and boarding!
Bitter-sweet memories come sometimes; but a gay burst of baby-laughter,—
For we all laugh at Nazareth House!—will banish gathering blues. And after?
Well, there's the free-permitted whiff, the "old-boy" gossip, low but cheery;
Rest and a Sister's sunny smile soon drive off whim and whig-maleery.
And so laid up, like some old hulk that can no more hope for commission,
I sit, and muse, and puff; and wait that last great change in man's condition
That shifts us to that Great High House to which the Sisters point us daily;