DEM. Lyfander, keep thy Hermia, I will none; My heart with her but, as guest-wife, fojourn'd; There ever to remain. Lys. It is not so. DEM. Difparage not the faith, thou doft not know, Left to thy peril thou abide it dear. Look, where thy love comes, yonder is thy dear. SCENE VII. Enter Hermia. HER. Dark night, that from the eye his function takes, The ear more quick of apprehension makes: Wherein it doth impair the feeing fenfe, Lys. Why fhould he stay, whom love doth prefs to HER. What love could prefs Lyfander from my fide? Lys. Lyfander's love, that would not let him 'bide, Fair Helena; who more engilds the night, Than all yon fiery Orbs and eyes of light. Why feek'st thou me? could not this make thee know, HER. You speak not, as you think: it cannot be. Now, I perceive, they have conjoin'd all three,) go ? Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid, Have you confpir'd, have you with these contriv'd To bait me with this foul derifion ? Is all the counsel that we two have thar'd, The fifters vows, the hours that we have spent, All fchool-days friendship, childhood innocence ? Two lovely berries molded on one stem, HER. Í am amazed at your paffionate words: To call me goddess, nymph divine, and rare, HER. I understand not what you mean by this.. Lys. Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excufe; HER. Sweet, do not fcorn her fo. DEM. If the cannot intreat, I can compel. Lys. Thou canst compel no more than the 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 lofe for thee, To prove him falfe, that fays, I love thee not. DEM. I fay, I love thee more than he can do. Lys. If thou fay fo, withdraw and prove it too. DEM. Quick, come HER. Lyfander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away, you Ethiope! DEM. No, no, he'll feem To break away: take on as he would follow, But yet come not Lys. Hang off, you are a tame man, go. thou cat, thou burr; vile thing, let loofe; or I will shake thee from me, like a ferpent. HER. Why are you grown fo rude? What change is this? Sweet love! Lys. Thy love? out, tawny Tartar, out; Out, loathed medicine: hated poison, hence. HEL. Yes, footh, and fo 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 truft your word. Lys. What, should I hurt her, ftrike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, I'll not harm her fo. 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 Lyfander? I am as fair now, as I was ere-while. Since night, you lov'd me; yet, fince night, you left me; Why then you left me-(O the gods forbid it!) In earnest, fhall I say? Lys. Ay, by my life; And never did defire to fee thee more. Therefore be out of hope, of question, doubt; That I do hate thee, and love Helena, HER. O me, you juggler; oh, you canker-bloffom, You thief of love; what, have you come by night,. And ftol'n my love's heart from him? HEL. Fine, i'faith! Have you no modesty, no maiden shame, HER. Puppet? why, fo: ay, that way goes the game. 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; 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, 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 : He follow'd you, for love I follow'd him, VOL. I. K |