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 charmed 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 hath 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!

• About Thomas Bailey Aldrich