SELF-SACRIFICE

Great glory crowns the heights of hope by arduous struggle won

Bright honour rounds the hoary head that mighty works hath done;

Fair riches come to him who strives in ways of golden gain,

And fame enshrines his name who works with genius-glowing brain:

But greater glory waits for him who in the boldness strife

'Gainst self and wrong, adopt, in love, the sacrificial life;

And brighter honour rounds the brow of him who, 'mid the scorns

Of blind idolaters of self, accepts the crown of thorns;

And fairer, purer riches come to him who greatly strives

To walk in ways of love and truth to sweeten human lives;

And he who serveth well mankind exchanges fleeting fame

For Light eternal, Joy and Peace and robes of heavenly flame.