THE happiest day, the happiest hour

My seared and blighted heart hath known,

The highest hope of pride, and power,

I feel hath flown.

 

Of power! said I? yes! such I ween

But they have vanished long alas!

The visions of my youth have been —

But let them pass.

 

And, pride, what have I now with thee?

Another brow may even inherit

The venom thou hast poured on me —

Be still my spirit.

 

The happiest day, the happiest hour

Mine eyes shall see — have ever seen

The brightest glance of pride and power

I feel, — have been:

 

But were that hope of pride and power

Now offered, with the pain

Ev’n then I felt, — that brightest hour

I would not live again:

 

For on its wing was dark alloy

And as it fluttered, fell

An essence, powerful to destroy

A soul that knew it well.