John Greenleaf Whittier - The Two Loves

Smoothing soft the nestling head <br />Of a maiden fancy-led, <br />Thus a grave-eyed woman said: <br /> <br />'Richest gifts are those we make, <br />Dearer than the love we take <br />That we give for love's own sake. <br /> <br />'Well I know the heart's unrest; <br />Mine has been the common quest, <br />To be loved and therefore blest. <br /> <br />'Favors undeserved were mine; <br />At my feet as on a shrine <br />Love has laid its gifts divine. <br /> <br />'Sweet the offerings seemed, and yet <br />With their sweetness came regret, <br />And a sense of unpaid debt. <br /> <br />'Heart of mine unsatisfied, <br />Was it vanity or pride <br />That a deeper joy denied? <br /> <br />'Hands that ope but to receive <br />Empty close; they only live <br />Richly who can richly give. <br /> <br />'Still,' she sighed, with moistening eyes, <br />'Love is sweet in any guise; <br />But its best is sacrifice! <br /> <br />'He who, giving, does not crave <br />Likest is to Him who gave <br />Life itself the loved to save. <br /> <br />'Love, that self-forgetful gives, <br />Sows surprise of ripened sheaves, <br />Late or soon its own receives.'<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-two-loves/