Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SURGEON'S KNIFE, by ELIZA COOK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SURGEON'S KNIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There are hearts - stout hearts - that own no fear
Last Line: That rest on the work of the surgeon's knife
Subject(s): Surgery




There are hearts-stout hearts-that own no fear
At the whirling sword or the darting spear,-
That are ready alike to bleed in the dust,
'Neath the sabre's cut or the bayonet's thrust;
They heed not the blows that Fate may deal,
From the murderer's dirk or the soldier's steel:
But lips that laugh at the dagger of strife
Turn silent and white from the surgeon's knife.
Though bright be the burnish and slender the blade,
Bring it nigh, and the bravest are strangely afraid;
And the rope on the beam or the axe on the block
Have less terror to daunt, and less power to shock.
Science may wield it, and danger may ask
The hand to be quick in its gory task:
The hour with torture and death may be rife,
But death is less feared than the surgeon's knife.
It shines in the grasp-'tis no weapon for play,
A shudder betrays it is speeding its way;
While the quivering muscle and severing joint
Are gashed by the keen edge and probed by the point.
It has reeked in the dark and welling flood,
Till purple and warm with the heart's quick blood;
Dripping it comes from the cells of life,
While glazing eyes turn from the surgeon's knife.
Braggarts in courage, and boasters of strength,
At the cannon's mouth or the lance's length;
Ye who have struggled sword to sword,
With your wide wounds drenching the battle-sward-
Oh! boast no more till your soul be found
Unmoved with a breathless silence around;
And a dread of the grave and a hope of life;
That rest on the work of the surgeon's knife.




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