62 DROPS FROM FLORA'S CUP. 
Mythologists tell us that Echo, the daughter of Air and Earth, became 
enamored of Narcissus; ho however, probably not liking the reversion 
of custom, despised her and held her in contempt. The non-reciprocity 
of affections, so afflicted Echo that she pin^i away, leaving nothing but 
her voice ; which was condemned by Juno to repeat the last word of every 
thing she should hear. 
Echo being one of the Nymphs, her sisterhood wished that Narcissus 
might bo punished, and entreated Cupid to bring some evil upon him. 
The god of love led Narcissus to a fountain, and caused him to gaze 
upon its waters, where he beheld the reflection of himself. He deemed 
the image he saw the personification of loveliness, os he had never be¬ 
held any thing so beautiful before, and desired above all things to gain 
possession of the image. But it was a frail passing semblance, and he 
died broken-hearted, because he could not obtain the reality of his own 
beautiful self. It is said that from his blood sprung the flower which 
bears his name. Hence arose the sentiment, ‘ self-love.’ Addison thus 
translates Ovid’s tale of Echo and Narcissus : — 
She saw him in his present misery 
Whom, spite of all her wrongs, she grieved to see; 
She answered sadly to her lover's moan, 
Sighed back his sighs, and groaned to every groan; 
1 Ah, youth ! beloved in vain,' Narcissus cries — 
* Ah, youth ! beloved in vain,’ the Nymph replies. 
* Farewell,’ says he ; the parting sound scarce fell 
From his faint lips, ere she replied, ‘ Farewell.’ 
Then on the wholesome earth he gasping lies, 
Till death shuts up those self-admiring eyes. 
To the cold shades his flitting ghost retires, 
And in the Stygian wave itself admires. 
For him the Naiads and the Dryads mourn, 
Whom the sad Echo answers in her tum ! 
