John Milton

Sweetest Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen
Within thy airy shell,
By slow Meander's margent green,
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Sweetest Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen
Within thy airy shell,
By slow Meander's margent green,
And in the violet-embroidered vale.

The swan, with arched neck
Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows
Her state with oary feet.

The swan, with arched neck
Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows
Her state with oary feet.

Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest spirit
That fought in heaven, now fiercer by despair.

Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest spirit
That fought in heaven, now fiercer by despair.

These false pretexts and varnished colours failing,
Rare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear.

These false pretexts and varnished colours failing,
Rare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear.

Thou, in our wonder and astonishment
Hast built thyself a life-long monument.

Thou, in our wonder and astonishment
Hast built thyself a life-long monument.