Classic Poem

" Where lies the town of Happiness? "
Cried the youth to the wrinkled sage,
As they met one day on the weary way
That lies 'twixt Youth and Age.
The gray haired wise man shook his head:
" 'Tis a little farther on, " he said.

" Where lies the town of Happiness?
I pray we reach it soon; "
For risen high in the molten sky
Was the sun that marked Life's noon.
But again the wise man shook his head:
" 'Tis a little farther on, " he said.

" Where lies the town of Happiness? "
The youth was old and gray,
With shoulders bent, and eyes intent
Where the road stretched forth, away.
The wise man sadly shook his head:
" 'Tis a little farther on, " he said.

" Where lies the town of Happiness? "
Down, down in the dust he fell;
His voice was shrill and the death films fill
His eyes. Mused the sage: " 'Tis well. "
And there gleamed in his eye a tear unshed:
" For me, 'tis farther on, " he said.