Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges (1762–1837)

IN eddying course when leaves began to fly,

And autumn in her lap the stores to strew,

As ’mid wild scenes I chanced the muse to woo

Thro’ glens untrod, and woods that frown’d on high,

Two sleeping nymphs, with wonder mute I spy:—

And lo! she’s gone—in robe of dark green hue

’Twas 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 mocking play,

With thousand mimic tones the laughing forest fill.