"The Happiest Day, The Happiest Hour" by Edgar Allan Poe

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The picture used is a public domain image of Elmira Royster.

The happiest day-the happiest hour
My seared 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.