Echo and Silence

Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges (1762–1837)

IN eddying course when leaves began to fly,

And Autumn in her lap the store to strew,

As mid wild scenes I chanced the Muse to woo,

Through glens untrod, and woods that frowned on high,

Two sleeping nymphs with wonder mute I spy!

And, lo, she ’s gone!—In robe of dark-green hue,

’T was Echo from her sister Silence flew,

For quick the hunter’s horn resounded to the sky!

In shade affrighted Silence melts away.

Not so her sister. Hark! for onward still,

With far-heard step, she takes her listening way,

Bounding from rock to rock, and hill to hill.

Ah, mark the merry maid in mockful play

With thousand mimic tones the laughing forest fill!