IV: Rouge Gagne

4

'Tis so much joy! 'Tis 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!