Her. What's this to my Lysander? where is he? Ah, good Demetrius, wilt thou give him me? Dem. I had rather give his carcase to my hounds. Her. Out, dog! out, cur! thou driv'st me past the bounds Of maiden's patience. Hast thou slain him then? mood: I am not guilty of Lysander's blood; Her. I pray thee, tell me then that he is well. fore? Her. A privilege, never to see me more. And from thy hated presence part I so: See me no more, whether he be dead or no. [Exit. So sorrow's heaviness doth heavier grow quite, ⚫ And laid the love-juice on some true-love's sight: Of thy misprision must perforce ensue Some true-love turn'd, and not a false turn'd true. Puck. Then fate o'er-rules; that, one man holding troth, A million fail, confounding oath on oath. Obe. About the wood go swifter than the wind, And Helena of Athens look thou find : [Exit. All fancy-sick* she is, and pale of cheer+ Re-enter Puck. Puck. Captain of our fairy band, And the youth, mistook by me, Shall we their fond pageant see? Lord, what fools these mortals be! Obe. Stand aside: the noise they make Will cause Demetrius to awake. Puck. Then will two at once, woo one; And those things do best please me, That befal preposterously. Enter Lysander and Helena. Lys. Why should you think, that I should woo in scorn? Scorn and derision never come in tears: Look, when I vow, I weep; and vows so born, In their nativity all truth appears. How can these things in me seem scorn to you, Bearing the badge of faith, to prove them true? Hel. You do advance your cunning more and more. When truth kills truth, O devilish-holy fray! These vows are Hermia's; Will you give her o'er? Lys. I had no judgement, when to her I swore. Hel. Nor none, in my mind, now you give her o'er. Lys. Demetrius loves her, and he loves not you. Dem. [awaking.] O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, divine! To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne? Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow! To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, A poor soul's patience, all to make you sport. Lys. You are unkind, Demetrius; be not so; For you love Hermia; this, you know, I know: And here, with all good will, with all my heart, In Hermia's love I yield you up my part; And yours of Helena to me bequeath, Hel. Never did mockers waste more idle breath. Dem. Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will none : If e'er I lov'd her, all that love is gone. My heart with her but, as guest-wise, sojourn'd; And now to Helen is it home return'd, There to remain. Lys. Helen, it is not so. Dem. Disparage not the faith thou dost not know, Lest, to thy peril, thou aby it dear* Look, where thy love comes; yonder is thy dear. Enter Hermia. Her. Dark night, that from the eye his function The ear more quick of apprehension makes; Lys. Why should he stay, whom love doth press Her. What love could press Lysander from my side ? Lys. Lysander's love, that would not let him bide, Fair Helena; who more engilds the night Than all yon fiery oes + and eyes of light. Why seek'st thou me? could not this make thee know, The hate I bare thee made me leave thee so? Her. You speak not as you think; it cannot be. Hel. Lo, she is one of this confederacy! Now I perceive they have conjoin'd, all three, To fashion this false sport in spite of me. Injurious Hermia! most ungrateful maid! Have you conspir'd, have you with these contriv'd + Circles. * Pay dearly for it. To bait me with this foul derision? Is all the counsel that we two have shar'd, All school-days' friendship, childhood innocence ? Two lovely berries moulded on one stem: Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it : Her. I am amazed at your passionate words : (Who even but now did spurn me with his foot), |