Sacrifice

The keynote of life's harmony is sacrifice.
Not twice or thrice
Of will, or time, or pleasure-giving treat,
But many times
that life's chord may be sweet.

Who sacrifices most
Drinks deepest life's rich strain,
counting no cost,
But giving self on every side,
Daily and hourly sanctified,
But in the giving
Living
Is but the straining of the strings,
The growth of harmony's pure wings.
Life is the tuning time, complete
Alone when every chord is sweet
Through sacrifice. No untried string
Can music bring
True living
Is learning all about the giving.