"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. |
1827
Hymn (translation from the Greek
Hymn to Aristogeiton and Harmodius
| I | Wreathed in myrtle, my sword I'll conceal, Like those champions devoted and brave, When they plunged in the tyrant their steel, And to Athens deliverance gave. |
| II | Beloved heroes! your deathless souls roam In the joy breathing isles of the blest; Where the mighty of old have their home— Where Achilles and Diomed rest. |
| III | In fresh myrtle my blade I'll entwine, Like Harmodius, the gallant and good, When he made at the tutelar shrine A libation of Tyranny's blood. |
| IV | Ye deliverers of Athens from shame! Ye avengers of Liberty's wrongs! Endless ages shall cherish your fame, Embalmed in their echoing songs! |
1827