Of Shadow and Echo

A shadow fell in love with the1 bright light,
Which makes her walk perpetually2 in his3 sight.
And when he’s absent, then, poor soul, she dies,
But when he shows himself, her life revives.
She sister is to Echo loud and clear,                           5
Whose voice is heard, but no body4 appear.
She hates to see or show herself to men,
Unless Narcissus could live once5 again.
But these two souls (for they no bodies have)6
Do wander in the air to seek a grave.                       10
Silence would bury one,7 the other night;
Both are8 denied by Repercussion’s9 spite.
And each of these are subject to the sense:10
One strikes the ear, shadow the eye presents.11

  1. A shadow fell in love with the] Pale Shadow once in Love fell with 1664; Pale Shadow once in love fell with 1668
  2. walk perpetually] still walk always 1664, 1668
  3. his] her 1653
  4. but no body] no Body doth 1664, 1668
  5. live once] revive 1664, 1668
  6. (for they no bodies have)] for they no Bodies have, 1653
  7. one,] on 1653
  8. Both are] But was 1664, 1668
  9. Repercussion’s] Reflections 1653
  10. each of these are subject to the sense:] both are subject to the Eye and Ear; 1664, 1668
  11. One strikes the ear, shadow the eye presents.] For one we see, and th’ other we do hear. 1664; For one we see, and th’ other we do hear. 1668