you But must join in souls to mock me too? You would not use a gentle lady so; To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, And now both rivals, to mock Helena: : Lys. You are unkind, Demetrius; be not so; For you love Hermia; this you know I know And here, with all good will, with all my heart, In Hermia's love I yield you up my part; And yours of Helena to me bequeath Whom I do love, and will do till my death. Hel. Never did mockers waste more idle breath. Dem. Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will none: If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. My heart to her but as guest-wise sojourned, There to remain. Lys. Helen, it is not so. 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. Re-enter HERMIA Her Dark night, that from the eye his function takes, The ear more quick of apprehension makes ; It the hearing double recompense.- Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; 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 O's and eyes of light. Why seek'st thou me could not this make thee know, The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so? Her. You speak not as you think it cannot be. : Hel. Lo, she is one of this confederacy! Now I perceive they have conjoined all three, To fashion this false sport in spite of me. Injurious Hermia! most ungrateful maid! Have you conspired, have you with these contrived Is all the counsel that we two have shared, All school-days' friendship, childhood innocence ? Have with our needles created both one flower, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem; Our sex, as well as I, chide may for 't, you Though I alone do feel the injury. Her. I am amazed at your passionate words. But by your setting on, by your consent? Her. I understand not what you mean by Hel. Ay, do, perséver, counterfeit sad looks, But, fare ye well: 't is partly mine own fault, Lys. Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excuse: My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena ! Hel. O excellent! 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, prove him false that says I love thee not. Dem. I say, I love thee more than he can do. To Lys. If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too. Dem. Quick, come, Her. Lysander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away you Ethiop! Dem. No, no; 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. |