The voice here is the pool—or mirror—into which Narcissus gazes. It insists it has no beauty of its own—no striking figure or crafted loveliness—and exists only to show him how radiant he can be. When he leans close, the surface seems to respond physically: a graceful sway, lips and eyes growing still. The address is intimate, almost coaxing him to admire himself without shame. The mood is calm and hypnotic, tender but faintly unsettling, because the voice has erased any self of its own to become a perfect reflector. There is no outside judgement here, only a held, silent surface that waits to give back his image. It promises that looking deeply will make him wise, yet what it encourages is a thrilled cry of self-love.
To Narcissus — Summary
I have no beauty that is all my own, No special loveliness carved out of me, No glowing images wrought perfectly, Splendour of flesh or delicacy of bone. I am a pool, wherein you shall be shown How wonderful and starlike you can be, I am a mirror so that you may see Yourself most intimately and alone.
When you lean to me and a dear, swift grace Sways in my body, and my lips and eyes Grow suddenly and exquisitely calm — Oh tremble and look deep into my face And see your own there, marvel and grow wise, Touch me and cry, " How beautiful I am ! "