NARCISUS. Narcissus was the beautiful son of the river god Cephisus and the nymph Liriope. He refused the love of both youths and maidens, including the love of the nymph Echo, who followed him, pitifully trying to tell him of her love. One of the scorned youths prayed that Narcissus would love and never gain his desire. The goddess Nemesis heard the prayer and caused Narcissus to love his own reflection, which he saw in a pool. He sat by the pool, hoping in vain to embrace his reflection, until he wasted away and was changed into the flower that bears his name (Met III.339-510; OM III.1292-1846). Gower tells the story to illustrate "surquidry" or haughty pride, Confessio Amantis I.2275-2358.

The story of Narcisus appears on the walls of Venus's temple, KnT 1941. Aurelius thinks that he must die like Echo, who could not tell her woe to Narcisus, FranklT 951-952. Echo died because Narcissus would not love her, BD 735-736. [Aurelie: Ecquo]

Narcisus, the French variant, occurs twice medially, KnT 1941; FranklT 952, and once in final rhyming position, BD 735.