Love Thyself Last

Love thyself last; look near, behold thy duty
  To those who walk beside thee down life's road,
Make glad their days by little acts of beauty,
  And help them bear the burden of earth's load.

Love thyself last; look far and find the stranger
  Who staggers 'neath his sin and his despair;
Go, lend a hand and lead him out of danger
  To heights where he may see the world is fair.

Love thyself last; the vastnesses above thee
  Are filled with spirit forces, strong and pure;
And fervently these faithful friends shall love thee,
  Keep thy watch over others and endure.

Love thyself last; and thou shalt grow in spirit
  To see, to hear, to know and understand;
The message of the stars, lo, thou shalt hear it,
  And all God's joys shall be at thy command.

--Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1855-1919