Explore "The Two Loves" by John Greenleaf Whittier on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
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 unrest; 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 guise; 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. " 1884.