The Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier/The Two Loves

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19263The Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier — The Two LovesJohn Greenleaf Whittier

THE TWO LOVES

Smoothing soft the nestling head
Of a maiden fancy-led,
Thus a grave-eyed woman said:

Richest gifts are those we make,
Dearer than the love we take
That we give for love’s own sake.

Well I know the heart’s quest;
Mine has been the common quest,
To be loved and therefore blest.

Favors undeserved were mine;
At my feet as on a shrine
Love has laid its gifts divine.

Sweet the offerings seemed, and yet
With their sweetness came regret,
And a sense of unpaid debt.

Heart of mine unsatisfied,
Was it vanity or pride
That a deeper joy denied?

Hands that ope but to receive
Empty close; they only live
Richly who can richly give.

Still,” she sighed, with moistening eyes,
Love is sweet in any guide;
But its best is sacrifice!

He who, giving, does not crave
Likest is to Him who gave
Life itself the loved to save.

Love, that self-forgetful gives,
Sows surprise of ripened sheaves,
Late or soon its own receives.”