Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly!

O grave! where is thy victory?

O death! where is thy sting?

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): The Dying Christian to his Soul.

Then welcome each rebuff

That turns earth's smoothness rough,

Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand, but go!

Be our joys three-parts pain!

Strive, and hold cheap the strain;

Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe!

Robert Browning (1812-1890): Rabbi Ben Ezra.

What! wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The Merchant of Venice. Act iv. Sc. 1.