The ear more quick of apprehension makes; Lys. Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go? 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. know, The hate I bare thee made me leave thee so? Her. You speak not as you think; it cannot be. Is all the counsel that we two have shar'd, All school-days' friendship, childhood innocence? Two lovely berries moulded on one stem: (1) Circles. (2) Ingenious. (3) Needles. So, with two seeming bodies, but one heart; Our sex, as Her. I am amazed at your passionate words: I scorn you not; it seems that you scorn me. Hel. Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn, To follow me, and praise my eyes and face? And made your other love, Demetrius (Who even but now did spurn me with his foot,) Her. Sweet, do not scorn her so. Dem. If she cannot entreat, I can compel. (1) Wry faces. Lys. Thou canst compel no more than she en treat; 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. 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 !— In earnest, shall I say? Lys. Ay, by my life; 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. Hel. I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen, Let her not hurt me: I was never curst ;2 I have no gift at all in shrewishness; I am a right maid for my cowardice; Let her not strike me: You, perhaps, may think, 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; Save, that in love unto Demetrius, I told him of your stealth unto this wood: (1) A worm that preys on buds of flowers. (2) Shrewish or mischievous. He follow'd you; for love, I follow'd him. Hel. A foolish heart, that I leave here behind. 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; Let me come to her. Lys. Get you gone, you dwarf; You minimus, of hind'ring knot-grass2 made; You bead, you acorn. Dem. You are too officious, In her behalf that scorns your services. Let her alone; speak not of Helena; Take not her part: for if thou dost intend3 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. (1) Foolish. (2) Anciently knot-grass was believed to prevent the growth of children. (3) Pretend. |