Page:Metamorphoses.djvu/171

 METAMORPHOSES BOOK III surprised the nymphs in company with her lord upon the mountain-sides, Echo would cunningly hold the goddess in long talk until the nymphs were led. When Saturnia realized this, she said to her: "That tongue of thine, by which I have been tricked, shall have its power curtailed and enjoy the briefest use of speech." The event confirnied her threat. Nevertheless she does repeat the last phrases of a speech and returns the words she hears. Now when she saw Narcissus wandering through the fields, she was inflamed with love and followed him by stealth; and the more she followed, the more she burned by a nearer flame; as when quick-burning sulphur, smeared round the tops of torches, catches fire from another fire brought near. Oh, how often does she long to approach him with alluring words and make soft prayers to him! |But her nature forbids this, it permit her to begin; but as it allows, she is ready to await the sounds to which she may give back her own words. By chance the boy, separated from his faithful companions, had cried: " Is anyone here? " and "Here!" cried Echo back. Amazed, he looks around in all directions and with loud voice cries " Come!"; and " Come!" she calls him calling. He looks behind him and, seeing no one coming, calls again: " Why do you run from me?" and hears in answer his own words again. He stands still, deceived by the answering voice, and "Here let us meet," he cries. Echo, never to answer other sound more gladly, cries: "Let us meet" ; and to help her own words she comes forth from the woods that she may throw her arıns around the neck she longs to clasp. But he flees at her approach and, flecing, says: "Hands off! embrace nue not! May I die before I give you power o'er 151