Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hearken \Heark"en\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Hearkened}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Hearkening}.] [OE. hercnen, hercnien, AS. hercnian,
   heorcnian, fr. hi['e]ran, h?ran, to hear; akin to OD.
   harcken, horcken, LG. harken, horken, G. horchen. See {Hear},
   and cf. {Hark}.]
   1. To listen; to lend the ear; to attend to what is uttered;
      to give heed; to hear, in order to obey or comply.

            The Furies hearken, and their snakes uncurl.
                                                  --Dryden.

            Hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the
            judgments, which I teach you.         --Deut. iv. 1.

   2. To inquire; to seek information. [Obs.] ``Hearken after
      their offense.'' --Shak.

   Syn: To attend; listen; hear; heed. See {Attend}, v. i.