Reciprocation
Flowers which exhale their scents grow not less sweet
By adding fragrance to the balmy gale;
Flames kindling others, do not therefore fail,
But gain by giving, with increase of heat
And blessed light; the sower’s scattered wheat
Brings bounteous usury; and throughout the pale
Of Nature’s empire, such is Nature’s law,
That what bestoweth shall receive therefor;
So do the kindnesses of loving hearts
Expand the bosom by the love they give,
Receiving good for what their good imparts,
Living by boon of that whereon they live:
They have the more, the more that they bestow,
And into greater joy, for joy dispensed, they grow.
- Title
- Reciprocation
- Alternative Title
- Flowers which exhale their scents grow not less sweet
- Creator
-
George Shepard Burleigh
- Bibliographic Citation
- The Univercœlum and Spiritual Philosopher 3:11:167 (February 10, 1849)
- Date
- 1849
- Subject
- Philosophy
- note
- This poem is not in Spies' catalogue, nor in either the Small nor Large Notebook. Found in a general search of The Univercœlum and Spiritual Philosopher, April 2, 2026.
- Media
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Reciprocity