Poems of Youth: "The Happiest Day"

I. The happiest day - the happiest hour

My seared and blighted heart hath known,

The highest hope of pride and power,

I feel hath flown.

II.Of power! said I? Yes! such I ween

But they have vanished long, alas!

The visions of my youth have been -

But let them pass.

III. And pride, what have I now with thee?

Another brow may ev'n inherit

The venom thou hast poured on me -

Be still my spirit!

IV.The happiest day - the happiest hour

Mine eyes shall see - have ever seen

The brightest glance of pride and power

I feel have been:

V. But were that hope of pride and power

Now offered with the pain

Ev'n then I felt - that brightest hour

I would not live again:

VI.For on its wing was dark alloy

And as it fluttered - fell

An essence - powerful to destroy

A soul that knew it well.

1827.

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