“The Happiest Day”

I

The happiest day⁠—the happiest hour
  My seared and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
  I feel hath flown.

II

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.

III

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!

IV

The happiest day⁠—the happiest hour
  Mine eyes shall see⁠—have ever seen
The brightest glance of pride and power
  I feet have been:

V

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:

VI

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