The Happiest Day-The Happiest Hour

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 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 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.