Her. I understand not what you mean by this. You would not make me such an argument. Her. Sweet, do not scorn her so. Dem. If she cannot entreat, I can compel. Lys. Thou canst compel no more than she entreat; Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers. Helen, I love thee; by my life I do; I swear by that which I will lose for thee, Her. Lysander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away, you Ethiop! Dem. No, no, sir:-he will Seem to break loose; take on, as you would follow; But yet come not: You are a tame man, go! Lys. Hang off, thou cat, thou burr: vile thing let loose; Or I will shake thee from me, like a serpent. Her. Why are you grown so rude? what change is this, Sweet love? Lys. Thy love? out, tawny Tartar, out! Out, loathed medicine! hated potion, hence! Her. Do you not jest? Hel. Yes, 'sooth; and so do you. Lys. Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee. * Wry faces. Dem. I would, I had your bond; for, I perceive, A weak bond holds you; I'll not trust your word. Lys. What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so. Her. What, can you do me greater harm than hate? Hate me! wherefore? O me! what news, my love? Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander? I am as fair now, as I was erewhile. Since night, you lov'd me; yet, since night, you left me: Why, then you left me,-O, the gods forbid !- Lys. Ay, by my life; And never did desire to see thee more. Therefore, be out of hope, of question, doubt, That I do hate thee, and love Helena. Her. O me! you juggler! you canker-blossom *! You thief of love! what, have you come by night, And stol'n my love's heart from him? Hel. Fine, i'faith! Have you no modesty, no maiden shame, No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear Impatient answers from my gentle tongue? Fie, fie! you counterfeit, you puppet you! Her. Puppet! why so? Ay, that way goes the game. Now I perceive that she hath made compare But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes. Let her not hurt me: I was never curst* Let her not strike me: You, perhaps, may think, Because she's something lower than myself, That I can match her. Her. Lower! hark, again. Hel. Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me. I evermore did love you, Hermia, Did ever keep your counsels, never wrong'd you ; I told him of your stealth unto this wood: Her. Why, get you gone: Who is't that hinders you? Hel. A foolish heart, that I'leave here behind. Her. What, with Lysander ? Hel. With Demetrius. Lys. Be not afraid: she shall not harm thee, Helena. Dem. No, sir; she shall not, though you take her part. Hel. O, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd: She was a vixen, when she went to school; And, though she be but little, she is fierce. Her. Little again? nothing but low and little ?Why will you suffer her to flout me thus ? Let me come to her. Lys. Get you gone, you dwarf; You minimus, of hind'ring knot-grass made; You bead, you acorn. * Shrewish or mischievous. + Foolish. Anciently knot-grass was believed to prevent the growth of children. Dem. You are too officious, In her behalf that scorns your services. Thou shalt aby it. Lys. Now she holds me not; Now follow, if thou dar'st, to try whose right, Or thine or mine, is most in Helena. Dem. Follow? nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jole. [Exeunt Lys. and Dem. Her. You, mistress, all this coll is 'long of you: Nay, go not back. Hel. I will not trust you, I; Nor longer stay in your curst company. Your hands, than mine, are quicker for a fray; My legs are longer though, to run away. [Exit. Her. I am amaz'd, and know not what to say. [Exit, pursuing Helena. Obe. This is thy negligence: still thou mistak'st, Or else commit'st thy knaveries wilfully. Puck. Believe me, king of shadows, I mistook. Did not you tell me, I should know the man By the Athenian garments he had on? And so far blameless proves my enterprise, That I have 'nointed on Athenian's eyes: And so far am I glad it so did sort†, As this their jangling I esteem a sport. Obe. Thou seest, these lovers seek a place to fight: Hie therefore, Robin, overcast the night; The starry welkin cover thou anon * Pretend. With leaden legs and batty wings doth creep: I'll to my queen, and beg her Indian boy; From monster's view, and all things shall be peace. Puck. My fairy lord, this must be done with haste; For night's swift dragons cut the clouds full fast, At whose approach, ghosts, wandering here and there, Troop home to church-yards: damned spirits all, For fear lest day should look their shames upon, I with the Morning's Love have oft made sport; Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams, [Exit Oberon. Puck. Up and down, up and down; I will lead them up and down: Goblin, lead them up and down. Here comes one. * Medicinal efficacy. † Go. Cephalus, the paramour of Aurora. |