The Happiest Day

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.

Edgar Allan Poe