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

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.

(1827)