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 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.