1o quotiens voluit blandis accedere dictis
Oh, how often did she want to approach him with sweet words
2et molles adhibere preces. natura repugnat
and to use gentle entreaties. But her condition prevents it
3nec sinit incipiat; sed, quod sinit, illa parata est
and it doesn't allow her to even begin, but she is ready to do what her condiiton does allow -
4exspectare sonos, ad quos sua verba remittat.
to wait for sounds to which she may reply with her own words.
5forte puer comitum seductus ab agmine fido
By chance the boy, separated from his trusty group of companions
6dixerat 'ecquis adest?' et 'adest' responderat Echo.
had said, 'Is anyone here?' and Echo had replied, 'Here'.
7hic stupet, utque aciem partes dimittit in omnes,
He is amazed as he gazes around in all directions,
8voce 'veni!' magna clamat; vocat illa vocantem.
in a loud voice he shouts 'Come!'; as he calls, she calls back.
9respicit et rursus nullo veniente 'quid' inquit
He looks around and, as nobody is coming, he says again,
10'me fugis?' et totidem, quot dixit, verba recepit.
'Why do you flee from me?' and he hears back as many words as he has spoken.