The happiest day- the happiest hour br My sear'd and blighted heart hath known, br The highest hope of pride and power, br I feel hath flown. br br Of power! said I? yes! such I ween; br But they have vanish'd long, alas! br The visions of my youth have been- br But let them pass. br br And, pride, what have I now with thee? br Another brow may even inherit br The venom thou hast pour'd on me br Be still, my spirit! br br The happiest day- the happiest hour br Mine eyes shall see- have ever seen, br The brightest glance of pride and power, br I feel- have been: br br But were that hope of pride and power br Now offer'd with the pain br Even then I felt- that brightest hour br I would not live again: br br For on its wing was dark alloy, br And, as it flutter'd- fell br An essence- powerful to destroy br A soul that knew it well.