Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; 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. Why seek'st thou me? could not this make thee know, 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? Have with our needles created both one flower, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem: a Oes-circles. b There is a double comparison here-1st, Of the two bodies, compared to two coats of heraldry; and, 2ndly, Of the one And will you rent our ancient love asunder, Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it; Her. I am amazed at your passionate words : "Our heart, compared to the one crest and the one owner. bodies are two, but they are as united under one heart, as two coats of arms (when quartered or impaled) are borne by one person under one crest.' 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, I love thee more than he can do. Her. Lysander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away, you Ethiope! Dem. No, no, sir : 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! O, hated poison, 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 : VOL. II. E Why then you left me,-O, the gods forbid ! 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;a 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. a Curst-shrewish. 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. 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 a 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 intend b Thou shalt aby it. e Lys. Now she holds me not; a Knot-grass-a low reptant herb. b Intend. This word is explained by pretend; but the meaning is rather to direct. Aby it-suffer for it. |