The Happiest Day

The happiest day- the happiest hour
My sear'd and blighted heart hath known,
Yhe highest hope of pride, and power,
I feel hath flown.

Of power! said I? Yes! such I ween
But they have vanish'd 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 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
Ev'n 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.

1827