Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ECHO TO A ROCK, by EDWARD HERBERT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ECHO TO A ROCK, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou heaven-threat'ning rock, gentler than she!
Last Line: Echo. Well.
Alternate Author Name(s): Cherbury, 1st Baron Herbert Of; Herbert Of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron; Herbert Of Cherbury, Lord
Subject(s): Echo (mythology); Stones; Granite; Rocks


THOU heaven-threat'ning rock, gentler than she!
Since of my pain
Thou still more sensible wilt be,
Only when thou giv'st leave but to complain---
Echo. Complain.

But thou dost answer too, although in vain
Thou answer'st when thou canst no pity show.
Echo. Oh.

What, canst thou speak, and pity too?
Then yet a further favour do,
And tell if of my griefs I any end shall know.
Echo. No.

Sure she will pity him that loves her so truly.
Echo. You lie.
Vile rock, thou now grow'st so unruly,
That hadst thou life as thou hast voice,
Thou shouldst die at my foot.
Echo. Die at my foot.

Thou canst not make me do 't,
Unless thou leave it to my choice,
Who thy hard sentence shall fulfil,
When thou shalt say I die to please her only will.
Echo. I will.
When she comes hither, then, I pray thee tell
Thou art my monument, and this my last farewell.
Echo. Well.





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