He loved to wander among
the meadow flowers and in the pathless woodland.
But he disdained his playmates, and would not
listen to their entreaties to join in their games.
His heart was cold, and in it was neither hate nor
love. He lived indifferent to youth or maid, to
friend or foe.
Now, in the forest near by dwelt a Nymph
named Echo. She had been a handmaiden of
the goddess Juno. But though the Nymph was
beautiful of face, she was not loved. She had
a noisy tongue. She told lies and whispered
slanders, and encouraged the other Nymphs in
many misdoings. So when Juno perceived all
this, she ordered the troublesome Nymph away
from her court, and banished her to the wildwood,
bidding her never speak again except in
imitation of other peoples' words. So Echo dwelt
in the woods, and forever mocked the words of
youths and maidens.
One day as Narcissus was wandering alone in
the pathless forest, Echo, peeping from behind
a tree, saw his beauty, and as she gazed her heart
was filled with love. Stealthily she followed his
footsteps, and often she tried to call to him with
endearing words, but she could not speak, for she
no longer had a voice of her own.
At last Narcissus heard the sound of breaking
branches, and he cried out: ``Is there any one
here?''
And Echo answered softly: ``Here!''
Narcissus, amazed, looking about on all sides
and seeing no one, cried: ``Come!''
And Echo answered: ``Come!''
Narcissus cried again: ``Who art thou? Whom
seekest thou?''
And Echo answered: ``Thou!''
Then rushing from among the trees she tried
to throw her arms about his neck, but Narcissus
fled through the forest, crying: ``Away! away!
I will die before I love thee!''
And Echo answered mournfully: ``I love
thee!''
And thus rejected, she hid among the trees, and
buried her blushing face in the green leaves.
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