My interpretation of the Echo poem, by Hopkins, is that he's primarily concerned with women who equate their total worth with only that of physical beauty. The writing is directed at women, but could also be a notice, for men, about social observations he feels are common enough to be helpful. The subject is similar to thoughts raised by Keats (e.g. Ode on a Grecian Urn, 1819), but the speed and agility of Hopkins prove him to be a superior poet.
In writing, Hopkins suggests that, after death, God will return the personal attributes most cherished in life:
"Somewhere elsewhere there is ah well where! One, One. Yes I can tell such a key, I do know such a place, Where whatever's prized and passes of us, everything that's fresh and fast flying of us, seems to us sweet of us and swiftly away with..."
The "key" described represents an escape from depression caused by feelings of loss. He also calls attention to a person's being, including the quality of their thoughts and manner; and small things about a person that can't be changed, or that could be overlooked.
Hopkins has a vital and roseate disposition. He displays a profound knowledge of ideas useful in defeating doubt and cynicism. He avoids negativity and common expectations. He never implies it's wrong to want to keep something valuable. He also says by worrying about losing what we already have we diminish our ability to be what good and beautiful we already are.
"Then, weary then why when the thing we freely forfeit is kept with fonder a care, Fonder a care kept than we could have kept it..."
If God keeps the things (about ourselves) we're afraid to lose, and he cares about them more than we do, we can be free from the fear of failing to perform a divine task already accomplished.
