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 loved me; yet since night you left me: Why, then you left me-O, the gods forbid ! And never did desire to see thee more. Therefore be out of hope, of question, of doubt; Her. O me! you juggler! you canker-blossom! Fine, i̇' faith! Hel. Her. Puppet? why so? ay, that way goes the game. Now I perceive that she hath made compare Between our statures; she hath urged her height; Her height, forsooth, she hath prevail'd with him. How low am I, thou painted maypole? speak; 270 280 290 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 300 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, Because she is something lower than myself, 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. You see how simple and how fond I am. 310 Her. Why, get you gone: who is 't that hinders you? Hel. A foolish heart, that I leave here behind. Her. What, with Lysander? Hel. With Demetrius. 320 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 hindering knot-grass made; Dem. You are too officious 330 In her behalf that scorns your services. Never so little show of love to her, Thou shalt aby it. Lys. Now she holds me not; Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right, Of thine or mine, is most in Helena. Dem. Follow! nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jole. [Exeunt Lysander and Demetrius. Her. You, mistress, all this coil is 'long of you: Nay, go not back. Hel. I will not trust you, I, Nor longer stay in your curst company. Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray, Her. I am amazed, and know not what to say. This This is thy negligence, still thou mistakest, Or else committ'st thy knaveries wilfully. Puck. Believe me, king of shadows, I mistook. By the Athenian garments he had on? And so far blameless proves my enterprise, As this their jangling I esteem a sport. 340 [Exit. [Exit. Obe. Thou see'st these lovers seek a place to fight: 350 300 To take from thence all error with his might, Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision, With league whose date till death shall never end. I'll to my queen and beg her Indian boy; From monster's view, and all things shall be peace. My fairy lord, this must be done with haste, At whose approach, ghosts, wandering here and there, For fear lest day should look their shames upon, 370 380 390 I with the morning's love have oft made sport, Puck. I am fear'd in field and town: Here comes one. Re-enter LYSANDER. [Exit. 400 Lys. Where art thou, proud Demetrius? speak thou now. Puck. Here, villain; drawn and ready. Where art thou? Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled ? Speak! In some bush? Where dost thou hide thy head? Puck. Thou coward, art thou bragging to the stars, Telling the bushes that thou look'st for wars, And wilt not come? Come, recreant; come, thou child; I'll whip thee with a rod: he is defiled That draws a sword on thee. Dem. 410 Yea, art thou there? Puck. Follow my voice: we 'll try no manhood here. Re-enter LYSANDER. Lys. He goes before me and still dares me on: That fallen am I in dark uneven way, [Exeunt. And here will rest me. [Lies down.] Come, thou gentle day! For if but once thou show me thy grey light, I'll find Demetrius and revenge this spite. Re-enter PUCK and DEMETRIUS. [Sleeps. Puck. Ho, ho, ho! Coward, why comest thou not? 421 Dem. Abide me, if thou darest; for well I wot Thou runn'st before me, shifting every place, And darest not stand, nor look me in the face. Puck. Come hither: I am here. Dem. Nay, then, thou mock'st me. Thou shalt buy this dear, If ever I thy face by daylight see: Now, go thy way. Faintness constraineth me |