Had I presumed to hope Emily Dickinson

522

Had I presumed to hope
The loss had been to Me
A Value—for the Greatness' Sake
As Giants—gone away

Had I presumed to gain
A Favor so remote
The failure but confirm the Grace
In further Infinite

'Tis failure—not of Hope
But Confident Despair
Advancing on Celestial Lists
With faint—Terrestial power

'Tis Honor—though I die
For That no Man obtain
Till He be justified by Death
This—is the Second Gain