Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIS'TEN, v.i. [lis'n; Sax. lystan or hlystan; D. luisteren; Qu. G. lauschen; Scot. lith.]

1. To hearken; to give ear; to attend closely with a view to hear. On the green bank I sat, and listened long. – Dryden.
2. To obey; to yield to advice; to follow admonition.