Shall we their fond pageant sec ? Lord, what fools these mortals be! [They retire aside. 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. Hel. You do advance your cunning more and more. These vows are Hermia's; will you give her o'er? Lys. I had no judgment, when to her I swore. 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? Crystal is muddy. O, how ripe in show Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow! Lys. You are unkind, Demetrius: be not so: And yours of Helena to me bequeath, Hel. Never did mockers waste more idle breath. Dem. Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will nonę: My heart to her but as guest-wise sojourn'd; 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 takes, The car more quick of apprehension makes; Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound. But why unkindly didst thou leave me so? 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, The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent, For parting us,-O, and is all forgot? All school-days' friendship, childhood innocence? Like to a double cherry, seeming parted; Two lovely berries moulded on one stem: Her. I understand not what you mean by this! Lys. Stay, gentle Helena, hear my excuse; 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, Dem. I say I love thee more than he can do. · Lysander, whereto tends all this? 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? Ly's. Thy love? out, tawny Tartar, out! Out, loathed medicine! O, hated potion, hence! Her. Do you not jest? [Again clinging to him. Yes, 'sooth; and so do you. Hel. 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! Since night, you lov'd me; yet, since night, you left me: 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! [to HEL.] you juggler! you canker-blossom!' You thief of love! what, have you come by night, And stolen my love's heart from him? [Advancing on her. 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; [Retreats behind the men. [HERMIA advances. Let her not strike me. 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? 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. Her. Why will you suffer her to flout me thus ? Let me come to her. [LYSANDER interposes. Dem. [To him.] You are too officious. Take not her part: for if thou dost intend Never so little show of love to her, Thou shalt aby it. Ly's. 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 LYSANDER and DEMETRIES. Her. You, mistress, all this coil is 'long of you: Nor longer stay in your curst company. [HERMIA pursues and nearly overtakes her, and HELENA finally escapes and exits. |