Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SUCCESS by EMILY DICKINSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: SUCCESS IS COUNTED SWEETEST / BY THOSE WHO NEVER SUCCEED
Last Line: BREAK, AGONIZED AND CLEAR.
Subject(s): FAILURE; SUCCESS;

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 to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Break, agonized and clear.



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