(Original.)

The happiest day — the happiest hour,
My sear'd and blighted heart has known,
The brightest glance of pride and power
                                I feel hath flown —

Of power, said I? Yes, such I ween —
But it has 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 e'en inherit
The venom thou hast pour'd on me :
                                Be still my spirit.

The smile of love — soft friendship's charm —
Bright hope itself has fled at last,
'T will ne'er again my bosom warm—
                                'Tis ever past.

The happiest day, — the happiest hour,
Mine eyes shall see, — have ever seen, —
The brightest glance of pride and power,
                                I feel has been.      

  W. H. P.

15 de Setembro de 1827. W.P.H. são as iniciais de William Henry Leonard Poe, irmão de Edgar.