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.