Puck. I go, I go; look how I go, Swifter than arrow from the Tartar's bow. Obe. Puck. Obe. Puck. ✓ 100 [Exit. ΙΙΟ And those things do best please me I20 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. How can these things in me seem scorn to you, Hel. You do advance your cunning more and more. These vows are Hermia's: will you give her o'er? 130 Your vows to her and me, put in two scales, Will even weigh, and both as light as tales. D Lys. I had no judgement when to her I swore. Hel. Nor none, in my mind, now you give her o'er. Lys. Demetrius loves her, and he loves not you. Dem. [Awaking.] O Helen, goddess, nymph, perfect, To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne? Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow! Hel. O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent If you were civil and knew courtesy, 140 But you must join in souls to mock me too? 150 To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. And now both rivals, to mock Helena: A trim exploit, a manly enterprise, To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes Hel. Never did mockers waste more idle breath. 160 Dem. Lysander, keep thy Hermia; I will none: 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. Re-enter HERMIA. 170 Her. Dark night, that from the eye his function takes, The ear more quick of apprehension makes; Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense, It pays the hearing double recompense. Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; 180 Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound. Her. Lys. Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go? 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 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 conjoin'd all three Have you conspired, have you with these contrived Is all the counsel that we two have shared, The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent, For parting us,-O, is all forgot? All school-days' friendship, childhood innocence? 190 200 We, Hermia, like two artificial gods, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem; Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it, Her. I am amazed at your passionate words. Her. I understand not what you mean by this. 210 220 230 This sport, well carried, shall be chronicled. Lys. Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excuse: Hel. O excellent! Her. Sweet, do not scorn her so. Dem. If she cannot entreat, I can compel. 240 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, To prove him false that says I love thee not. Dem. I say I love thee more than he can do. Her. Lysander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away, you Ethiope! Dem. No, no; he'll . . Seem to break loose; take on as you would follow, 251 Lys. Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! vile thing, let loose, Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent! 261 Her. Why are you grown so rude? what change is this? Sweet love, Lys. Thy love! out, tawny Tartar, out! Out, loathed medicine! hated potion, 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. 1 |