Dickinson.

1129

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant --
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind –

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant –

Slant—as opposed to level. Avoid telling frank, coarse truths; make them more palatable.

Success in Circuit lies

“Lies” vis-à-vis “Truth” in the preceding line—interesting. Circuit vis-à-vis slanting truths—circumscription? Perhaps it is better to approach the truth in narrowing concentric circles…

Too bright for our infirm Delight

Infirm delight? How can delight be infirm? Aging delight…waning enjoyment…oncoming depression…?

The Truth’s superb surprise

Superb-surprise—similar looking words; alliterative. Truth can be shocking…

As Lightning to the Children eased

Children are scared by lightning…why is “Children” capitalized? Why is “Lightning”? Is she talking about concepts, ideals, or actualities? Does it matter?

With explanation kind

RE: slanted truths, circumscription. Children’s fear of lightning abated by a soothing explanation of it.

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Gradual dazzling: an interesting contrast of concepts. “Dazzle gradually”: the rapid succession of hard “A” produces an interesting sound and feeling when spoken aloud.

Or every man be blind –

RE: First two lnes—profound, barefaced truth is too intense; circumscription necessary to “soften the blow.” Dazzle gradually…if all the profundities of Life were revealed at once, we would die…the life process must necessarily be slow and perpetual, so that we may accumulate bits of the truth slowly, else we go into shock…