PART IV - DESTRUCTION OF HABIT

“We Live By Sacrifice Alone”

All things that toward the heavens grow,

In the huge struggle earth maintains,

Are clutched by power that restrains,

As waves by ocean's undertow.

Yet ever higher life remains,

Or forms decay or death makes moan:

We mark our way by crimson stains

We live by sacrifice alone.

Betimes high life must feed the low;

Betimes the high by lower gains.

The gnawing mystery ordains

Its cycle of existence so.

And well for him who self constrains

The lesser powers to dethrone:

For thus the One Ideal reigns

We live by sacrifice alone.

The kingdom of the soul comes slow.

O, long its battles, deep its pains;

And weak Inertia loud complains

That life a, rugged way must go,

Fooled by the lie, "The struggle drains! "

The struggle makes thy self thine own!

Builds thee man-high, ne'er saps thy veins: -

We live by sacrifice alone.

ENVOY

Life alway evil's drama feigns, Yet shall its crowns all loss atone. The king his conquered foes disdains, We live by sacrifice alone.