Success

1890

SUCCESS is counted sweetestBy those who ne'er succeed.To comprehend a nectarRequires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple hostWho took the flag to-dayCan tell the definition,So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying,On whose forbidden earThe distant strains of triumphBreak, agonized and clear.

From Poems (1890), the first published collection, via the English Wikisource transcription.

Public domainThis poem is in the public domain. You may read it, copy it, recite it and publish it without asking anyone.