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 hopw 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.

~ Edgar Allan Poe

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