John Milton (1608–1674)

From ‘Comus’

ii

SWEET Echo, sweetest Nymph that liv’st unseen

Within the airy shell

By slow Meander’s margent green,

And in the violet imbroider’d vale

Where the love-lorn Nightingale

Nightly to thee her sad Song mourneth well.

Canst thou not tell me of a gentle Pair

That likest thy Narcissus are?

O if thou have

Hid them in som flowry Cave,

Tell me but where

Sweet Queen of Parly, Daughter of the Sphear,

So maist thou be translated to the skies,

And give resounding grace to all Heav’ns Harmonies.