Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Medical Practitioners, Heroism, Gender, War

    A eulogy celebrating Florence Nightingale's return to England. Stresses the way in which 'Saint Florence' went out to the disease-ridden and war-torn Crimea without any ceremony and therefore, like 'Most blessed things come silently, and silently depart'. Notes that 'When titles, pensions, orders, with random hand are showered / 'Tis well that [...] she still should walk undowered', for there is no 'title like her own sweet name' or 'order like the halo by her good deeds'. Upholds 'her graciousness to those whose road to death / Was dark and doubtful', and praises the sweetness of her voice 'in the darkness when all songs else are still'. Urges that she be left 'to the still comfort the saints know that have striven', and contrasts the 'honours' that she will receive in 'heaven' to 'earthly honours'.