TO THE ECHO; IN A CLEAR NIGHT UPON ASTROP WALKS by ANNE FINCH

Say, lovely nymph, where dost thou dwell?
Where is that secret sylvan seat,
That melancholy, sweet retreat
From whence thou dost these notes repel,
And moving syllables repeat?
O lovely nymph, our joys to swell,
Thy hollow leafy mansion tell;
Or if thou only charm'st the ear
And never wilt to sight appear,
But dost alone in voice excel,
Still with it fix us here,
Where Cynthia lends her gentle light,
Whilst the appeased, expanded air
A passage for thee does prepare,
And Strephon's tuneful voice invite
Thine a soft part with him to bear.
O Pleasure! when thou'dst take a flight
Beyond thy common, mortal height,
When to thy sphere above thou'dst press,
And men like angels thou wouldst bless,
The season be like this fair night,
And harmony thy dress.

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