And thus at last he too might prove
The pangs of unrequited love.
The God, in pity, bowed his ear
To list his sweet petitioner,
And caused Narcissus, tired and worn
With hunting, through a summer’s morn,
O’er valley, lawn, and mountain’s crown,
Hither to come and cast him down,1530
Consumed by thirst, beside the cool
And crystal waters of the pool
To which the spreading pine tree gave
Refreshing shade, then o’er its wave
He bent him, driven by thirst, to drink
The limpid wave that lapped its brink.
XII
This telleth how Narcissus sighed
His soul away in tearful tide
Through fond self-love; yet died he not,
But lives within this fount, I wot.1540
Echo is avenged
When stooped he low to slake his drouth
And saw his forehead, nose, and mouth,
He started back in wonderment,
For through his heart the vision sent
A thrill, to see himself so fair,
Matchless in form, of beauty rare.
Then Love knew well his way to take
Narcissus in his toils, and make
Him suffer such-like cruel woe
As he had dealt to fair Echo.1550
