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Lyric Poem · Life

Success is counted sweetest

by Emily Dickinson · 1864

Success is counted sweetest

By those who ne'er succeed.

To comprehend a nectar

Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host

Who took the Flag today

Can tell the definition

So clear of Victory

As he defeated — dying —

On whose forbidden ear

The distant strains of triumph

Burst agonized and clear!

This poem is in the public domain.

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