“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.

Translation from the Greek.