The Happiest Day

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 ev'n 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.