Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924. |
Part Five: The Single Hound
XLV
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| I NEVER told the buried gold | |
| Upon the hill that lies, | |
| I saw the sun, his plunder done, | |
| Crouch low to guard his prize. | |
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| He stood as near, as stood you here, | 5 |
| A pace had been between— | |
| Did but a snake bisect the brake, | |
| My life had forfeit been. | |
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| That was a wondrous booty, | |
| I hope ’t was honest gained— | 10 |
| Those were the finest ingots | |
| That ever kissed the spade. | |
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| Whether to keep the secret— | |
| Whether to reveal— | |
| Whether, while I ponder | 15 |
| Kidd may sudden sail— | |
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| Could a Shrewd advise me | |
| We might e’en divide— | |
| Should a Shrewd betray me— | |
| “Atropos” decide! | 20 |
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