Echo

John Godfrey Saxe (1816–1887)

I ASKED of Echo, t’ other day,

(Whose words are few and often funny,)

What to a novice she could say

Of courtship, love, and matrimony.

Quoth Echo, plainly,—“Matter-o’-money!”

Whom should I marry?—should it be

A dashing damsel, gay and pert,

A pattern of inconstancy;

Or selfish, mercenary flirt?

Quoth Echo, sharply,—“Nary flirt!”

What if, aweary of the strife

That long has lured the dear deceiver,

She promise to amend her life,

And sin no more; can I believe her?

Quoth Echo, very promptly,—“Leave her!”

But if some maiden with a heart

On me should venture to bestow it,

Pray, should I act the wiser part

To take the treasure or forego it?

Quoth Echo, with decision,—“Go it!”

But what if, seemingly afraid

To bind her fate in Hymen’s fetter,

She vow she means to die a maid,

In answer to my loving letter?

Quoth Echo, rather coolly,—“Let her!”

What if, in spite of her disdain,

I find my heart intwined about

With Cupid’s dear delicious chain

So closely that I can’t get out?

Quoth Echo, laughingly,—“Get out!”

But if some maid with beauty blest,

As pure and fair as Heaven can make her,

Will share my labor and my rest

Till envious Death shall overtake her?

Quoth Echo (sotto voce),—“Take her!”