Echo-Song

I.

WHO can say where Echo dwells ?
In some mountain-cave, methinks,
Where the white owl sits and blinks;
Or in deep sequestered dells,
Where the foxglove hangs its bells,
Echo dwells.
Echo!
Echo!

II.

Phantom of the crystal Air,
Daughter of sweet Mystery!
Here is one has need of thee;
Lead him to thy secret lair,
Myrtle brings he for thy hair —
Hear his prayer,
Echo !
Echo!

III.

Echo, lift thy drowsy head,
And repeat each charmèd word
Thou must needs have overheard
Yestere’en, ere, rosy-red,
Daphne down the valley fled —
Words unsaid,
Echo !
Echo!

IV.

Breathe the vows she since denies !
She bath, broken every vow ;
What she would she would not now —
Thou didst hear her perjuries.
Whisper, whilst I shut my eyes,
Those sweet lies,
Echo!
Echo!

Thomas Bailey Aldrich.