The Happiest Day

September 15, 1827

The happiest day — the happiest hour
My sear'd 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 pour'd 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 offer'd, with the pain
Even then I felt — that brightest hour
I would not live again:

For on its wing was dark alloy.
And as it flutter'd — fell
An essence — powerful to destroy
A soul that knew it well.

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