762 <br /> <br />The Whole of it came not at once— <br />'Twas Murder by degrees— <br />A Thrust—and then for Life a chance— <br />The Bliss to cauterize— <br /> <br />The Cat reprieves the Mouse <br />She eases from her teeth <br />Just long enough for Hope to tease— <br />Then mashes it to death— <br /> <br />'Tis Life's award—to die— <br />Contenteder if once— <br />Than dying half—then rallying <br />For consciouser Eclipse—<br /><br />Emily Dickinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-whole-of-it-came-not-at-once/
