Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE STORY OF ECHO, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE STORY OF ECHO, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A beautiful maiden was echo
Last Line: Repeating your ultimate word!
Subject(s): Echo (mythology)


A BEAUTIFUL maiden was Echo,
As classical history tells,
A favorite nymph of Diana,
Who dwelt among forests and dells.

Now Echo was very loquacious,
And though she was silly and young,
It seems that she never was weary
Of plying her voluble tongue.

And, I'm sorry to say in addition,
Besides her impertinent clack,
She had, upon every occasion,
A habit of answering back.

Though even the wisest of matrons
In grave conversation was heard,
Miss Echo forever insisted
On having the ultimate word, --

A fault so exceedingly hateful,
That Juno (whom Echo betrayed
While the goddess was hearing the babble)
Determined to punish the maid.

Said she: "In reward of your folly,
Henceforth in vain you will try
To talk in the manner of others;
At best, you can only reply!"

A terrible punishment truly
For one of so lively a turn,
And it brought the poor maiden to ruin;
The way you shall presently learn

For, meeting the handsome Narcissus,
And wishing his favor to gain,
Full often she tried to address him,
But always endeavored in vain.

And when, as it finally happened,
He spoke to the damsel one day,
Her answers seemed only to mock him,
And drove him in anger away.

Ah! sad was the fate of poor Echo, --
Was ever so hapless a maid?
She wasted away in her sorrow
Until she was wholly decayed.

But her voice is still living immortal, --
The same you have frequently heard,
In your rambles in valleys and forests,
Repeating your ultimate word!





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