Maximus

Many, if God should make them kings,
  Might not disgrace the throne He gave;
How few who could as well fulfil
  The holier office of a slave!

I hold him great who, for Love's sake,
  Can give with generous, earnest will;
Yet he who takes for Love's sweet sake
  I think I hold more generous still.

I bow before the noble mind
  That freely some great wrong forgives;
Yet nobler is the one forgiven,
  Who bears that burden well and lives.

It may be hard to gain, and still
  To keep a lowly, steadfast heart;
Yet he who loses has to fill
  A harder and a truer part.

Glorious it is to wear the crown
  Of a deserved and pure success;
He who knows how to fail has won
  A crown whose luster is not less.

Great may he be who can command
  And rule with just and tender sway;
Yet is Diviner wisdom taught
  Better by him who can obey.

Blessed are those who die for God,
  And earn the martyr's crown of light;
Yet he who lives for God may be
  A greater conqueror in his sight.

—Adelaide Anne Procter, Maximus.