'T is so much joy !  'T is so much joy !
If I should fail, what poverty !
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured 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 !