Give me, for I need it sorely,    Of that courage, wise and sweet, Which has made the path of duty    Green beneath your willing feet. Give me that unselfish nature,    That with charity divine Can pardon wrong for love's dear sake-    Meek heart, forgive me mine!   Thus our parting daily loseth    Something of its bitter pain, And while learning this hard lesson,    My great loss becomes my gain. For the touch of grief will render    My wild nature more serene, Give to life new aspirations-    A new trust in the unseen.                       -Louisa M. Alcott