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Home  »  The Complete Poems  »  XXXIV

Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924.

Part One: Life

XXXIV

WHO never lost, are unprepared

A coronet to find;

Who never thirsted, flagons

And cooling tamarind.

Who never climbed the weary league—

Can such a foot explore

The purple territories

On Pizarro’s shore?

How many legions overcome?

The emperor will say.

How many colors taken

On Revolution Day?

How many bullets bearest?

The royal scar hast thou?

Angels, write “Promoted”

On this soldier’s brow!