Explore "The Family Doctor" by Ruth Collie on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
He has no time to "specialise," is quite unknown to fame; he's / understanding, kindly, wise, and "doctor" is his name. Always at / patients' beck and call, all hours of day and night, for both / momentous ills and small -- and oft with death to fight. Not always is / it draughts to drink, his trusting patients need. He tries to make / the thoughtless think -- 'tis sometimes hearts that bleed. The / honoured confidant and friend of families is he, and often when for / him they send, they crave but sympathy. "Doctor," one says, "will / make the lad see reason quickly, dear. " Doctor is asked to soften / Dad, or cast out mother's fear. Their joys and sorrows he doth / share, for doctor always must be told; he lightens many a heavy care, / and this for love, not gold. And he mends broken spirits, too, / dispenses cheer and mirth. The every-ready friend and true -- the very / salt of earth.