Was the year the happiest that beheld
The vision of poverty all dispelled?
Or was it when you still had more,
And found you could boast a goodly store
With labor finished and plenty spread?”
The old man quietly shook his head.
“Ah, no! ah, no! it was longer ago,”
The old man muttered,—sadly and low!
“It was when I took my lonely way
To the lonely woods in the month of May.