’T is so much joy! ’T is so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured all upon a throw
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so
This side the victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!
Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!
And if, indeed, I fail
At least to know the worst is sweet
Defeat means nothing but defeat
No drearier can prevail!

And if I gain,—oh, gun at sea
Oh, bells that in the steeples be
At first repeat it slow!
For heaven is a different thing
Conjectured, and waked sudden in
And might o’erwhelm me so!