A Gentle Echo on Woman

by Jonathan Swift

Shepherd. Echo, I ween, will in the woods reply,
⁠And quaintly answer questions: shall I try?
Echo.⁠Try.
Shepherd. What must we do our passion to express?
Echo.⁠Press.
Shepherd. How shall I please her, who ne'er loved before?
Echo.⁠Be fore.
Shepherd. What most moves women when we them address?
Echo.⁠A dress.
Shepherd. Say, what can keep her chaste whom I adore?
Echo.⁠A door.
Shepherd. If music softens rocks, love tunes my lyre.
Echo.⁠Liar.
Shepherd. Then teach me, Echo, how shall I come by her?
Echo.⁠Buy her.
Shepherd. When bought, no question I shall be her dear?
Echo.⁠Her deer.
Shepherd. But deer have horns: how must I keep her under?
Echo.⁠Keep her under.
Shepherd. But what can glad me when she's laid on bier?
Echo.⁠Beer.
Shepherd. What must I do when women will be kind?
Echo.⁠Be kind.
Shepherd. What must I do when women will be cross?
Echo.⁠Be cross.
Shepherd. Lord, what is she that can so turn and wind?
Echo.⁠Wind.
Shepherd. If she be wind, what stills her when she blows?
Echo.⁠Blows.
Shepherd. But if she bang again, still should I bang her?
Echo.⁠Bang her.
Shepherd. Is there no way to moderate her anger?
Echo.⁠Hang her.
Shepherd. Thanks, gentle Echo! right thy answers tell
⁠What woman is and how to guard her well.
Echo.⁠Guard her well.