But in this kind, wanting your father's voice, Her. I would my father look'd but with my eyes. Her. I do entreat your grace to pardon me. I know not by what power I am made bold, 50 60 In such a presence here to plead my thoughts; But I beseech your grace that I may know The. Either to die the death or to abjure Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires; Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Her. So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke My soul consents not to give sovereignty. The. Take time to pause; and, by the next new moonThe sealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting bond of fellowship- Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would; For aye austerity and single life. 90 Dem. Relent, sweet Hermia: and, Lysander, yield Thy crazed title to my certain right. Lys. You have her father's love, Demetrius ; Let me have Hermia's: do you marry him. Ege. Scornful Lysander! true, he hath my love, I do estate unto Demetrius. Lys. I am, my lord, as well derived as he, As well possess'd; my love is more than his; My fortunes every way as fairly rank'd, If not with vantage, as Demetrius'; And, which is more than all these boasts can be, I am beloved of beauteous Hermia: Why should not I then prosecute my right? Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena, Upon this spotted and inconstant man. The. I must confess that I have heard so much, My mind did lose it. But, Demetrius, come; I have some private schooling for you both. 100 ΙΙΟ 120 Come, my Hippolyta: what cheer, my love? I must employ you in some business [Exeunt all but Lysander and Hermia. Lys. How now, my love! why is your cheek so pale? / How chance the roses there do fade so fast? Her. Belike for want of rain, which I could well 130 Beteem them from the tempest of my eyes. Lys. Ay me! for aught that I could ever read, The course of true love never did run smooth; Her. O cross! too high to be enthrall'd to low. Swift as a shadow, short as any dream; Brief as the lightning in the collied night, That, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and earth, So quick bright things come to confusion. Her. If then true lovers have been ever cross'd, It stands as an edict in destiny: Then let us teach our trial patience, Because it is a customary cross, As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs, Lys. A good persuasion therefore, hear me, Hermia. 140 150 t I have a widow aunt, a dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child: From Athens is her house remote seven leagues; Her. 160 My good Lysander! 170 I swear to thee, by Cupid's strongest bow, By his best arrow with the golden head, By the simplicity of Venus' doves, By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves, And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen, Lys. Keep promise, love. Look, here comes Helena. Enter HELENA. Her. God speed fair Helena! whither away? Hel. Call you me fair? that fair again unsay. Your eyes are 1 de-stars; and your tongue's sweet air When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear. 180 soun се Yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go; My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye, My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody. 190 O, teach me how you look, and with what art Her. I frown upon him, yet he loves me still. Hel. O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill! Her. I give him curses, yet he gives me love. Hel. O that my prayers could such affection move! Her. The more I hate, the more he follows me. 200 Hel. The more I love, the more he hateth me. Her. His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine. Hel. None, but your beauty: would that fault were mine! Her. Take comfort: he no more shall see my face; Lysander and myself will fly this place. Before the time I did Lysander see, Seem'd Athens as a paradise to me: O, then, what graces in my love do dwell, Lys. Helen, to you our minds we will unfold: To-morrow night, when Phoebe doth behold t L 210 L Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass, 220 Lys. I will, my Hermia. [Exit Herm.] Helena, adieu: As you on him, Demetrius dote on you! Hel. How happy some o'er other some can be! Through Athens I am thought as fair as she. [Exit. |