Edgar Allan Poe — 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 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.