Mender of broken bodies! Some clear strain Of knightly blood must motivate his heart That he goes forth, sworn enemy to pain, From easy ways and soft conceits apart. Death may well fear to match his skill with one Who often cheats him of some well-marked prey -- Restoring son to mother, mother to son -- Unheeding twilight star or blush of day. Strong with a strength on which great men depend, And women cling to in their desperate hour: God has ordained him man's especial friend, And gives in gracious measure healing power. So let me rest -- sweetly content to know His steady arm is set against the foe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON UNGUARDED GATES by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH |