Echo Song

[PHILOMEL]
O Thrush in the woods I fly among
Do you, too, talk with the forest's tongue?

[TAPE]
Stung, stung, stung;
With the sting of becoming
I sing

[PHILOMEL]
0 Hawk in the high and widening sky
What need I finally do to fly
And see with your unclouded eye?

[TAPE]
Die, die, die;
Let the day of despairing
Be done

[PHILOMEL]
O Owl, the wild mirror of the night
What is the force of the forests light?

[TAPE]
Slight, slight, slight;
With the slipping-away of
The sun

[PHILOMEL]
O sable Raven, help me back!
What color does my torn robe lack?

[TAPE]
Black, black, black;
As your blameless and long
Dried blood

[PHILOMEL]
O bright Gull, aid me in my dream!
Above the foaming breaker's cream!

[TAPE]
Scream, scream, scream
For the scraps of your being;
Be shrill

[PHILOMEL]
The world's despair should not be heard!
Too much terror has occurred:
The Gods who made this hubbub erred!

[TAPE]
Bird, bird, bird!
You are bare of desire:
Be born!

[PHILOMEL]
Oh green leaves! through your rustling lace
Ahead, I hear my own myth race

[TAPE]
Thrace, Thrace, Thrace!
Pain is unchained
There is change!
There is change!
In the woods of Thrace!