<h2><i><SPAN name="THE_HAPPIEST_DAY"></SPAN>THE HAPPIEST DAY, THE HAPPIEST HOUR</i></h2>
<p class="poem">
The happiest day—the happiest hour<br/>
<span class="ind1">My sear'd and blighted heart hath known,</span><br/>
The highest hope of pride and power,<br/>
<span class="ind1">I feel hath flown.</span><br/>
<br/>
Of power! said I? yes! such I ween;<br/>
<span class="ind1">But they have vanish'd long, alas!</span><br/>
The visions of my youth have been—<br/>
<span class="ind1">But let them pass.</span><br/>
<br/>
And, pride, what have I now with thee?<br/>
<span class="ind1">Another brow may even inherit</span><br/>
The venom thou hast pour'd on me—<br/>
<span class="ind1">Be still, my spirit!</span><br/>
<br/>
The happiest day—the happiest hour<br/>
<span class="ind1">Mine eyes shall see—have ever seen,</span><br/>
The brightest glance of pride and power,<br/>
<span class="ind1">I feel—have been:</span><br/>
<br/>
But were that hope of pride and power<br/>
<span class="ind1">Now offer'd, with the pain</span><br/>
Even <i>then</i> I felt—that brightest hour<br/>
<span class="ind1">I would not live again:</span><br/>
<br/>
For on its wing was dark alloy,<br/>
<span class="ind1">And, as it flutter'd—fell</span><br/>
An essence—powerful to destroy<br/>
<span class="ind1">A soul that knew it well.</span><br/></p>
<hr class="r65" />
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