To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, A poor soul's patience, all to make you sport. Hel. Never did mockers waste more idle breath. Dem. Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will none; If e'er I lov'd her, all that love is gone. My heart with her but, as guest-wise, sojourn'd; And now to Helen is it home return'd, 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. Enter HERMIA. Her. Dark night, that from the eye his function The ear more quick of apprehension makes; 5 Pay dearly for it. 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, 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? 8 Have with our neelds created both one flower, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem: ❝ Circles. 7 Ingenious. • Needles. Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it; Her. I am amazed at your passionate words: 9 Her. I understand not what you mean by this. You would not make me such an argument. Her. Sweet, do not scorn her so. Dem. If she cannot entreat, I can compel. Lys. Thou canst compel no more than she en treat; Thy threats have no more strength, than her weak prayers. 9 Wry faces. 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! 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? Since night, you lov'd me; yet, since night you left me: Why, then you left me, In earnest, shall I say ? Lys. O, the gods forbid! Ay, by my life; And never did desire to see thee more. Be certain, nothing truer; 'tis no jest, 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. men, 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, 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: 'A worm that preys on buds of flowers. |