Can I retrieve a copied piece of text?

Is there any way I can retrieve a previously copied section of text?

I copied a large, detailed section of text using Command C, intending to move it somewhere else. Then foolishly, I copied something else. Then, even more foolishly, I accidentally deleted my original document. Not to worry, I thought, I can do Command V to paste it back in, forgetting that I'd copied a second piece of text. Is the first section of copied text still floating around in my iMac and can I retrieve it, or has it gone for all time?