522 <br /> <br />Had I presumed to hope— <br />The loss had been to Me <br />A Value—for the Greatness' Sake— <br />As Giants—gone away— <br /> <br />Had I presumed to gain <br />A Favor so remote— <br />The failure but confirm the Grace <br />In further Infinite— <br /> <br />'Tis failure—not of Hope— <br />But Confident Despair— <br />Advancing on Celestial Lists— <br />With faint—Terrestial power— <br /> <br />'Tis Honor—though I die— <br />For That no Man obtain <br />Till He be justified by Death— <br />This—is the Second Gain—<br /><br />Emily Dickinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/had-i-presumed-to-hope/
