WHEN I remember with what buoyant heart,
Midst war's alarms and woes of civil strife,
In youthful eagerness, thou didst depart,
At peril of thy safety, peace, and life,
To nurse the wounded soldier, swathe the dead --
How piercéd soon by fever's poisoned dart,
And brought unconscious home, with wildered head --
Thou, ever since, mid languor and dull pain,
To conquer fortune, cherish kindred dear,
Hast with grave studies vexed a sprightly brain,
In myriad households kindled love and cheer;
Ne'er from thyself by Fame's loud trump beguiled,
Sounding in this and the farther hemisphere: --
I press thee to my heart, as Duty's faithful child.
At peril of thy safety, peace, and life, To nurse the wounded soldier, swathe the dead - How piercéd soon by fever's poisoned dart, And brought unconscious home, with wildered head -
An autobiographical poem. During the Civil War, his daughter Louisa moved to Washington, D.C. to volunteer as a nurse. The Alcotts received a telegram that Louisa was sick; She was brought home where she wrote a book about her experiences. Her father was proud of her as a woman and a writer.
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I would like to translate this poem
Excellent poem.To conquer fortune, cherish kindred dear, Hast with grave studies vexed a sprightly brain, In myriad households kindled love and cheer;