So, with two seeming bodies, but one heart; Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it; Her, I am amazed at your passionate words: Lys. Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excuse; 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, Dem. Quick, come, too. Her. Lysander, whereto tends all this? Lys. Away, you Ethiop! Dem. No, no, Sir: he will -- Seem to break loose; take on, follow; as you would 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! 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 per ceive, 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? wherefore? O me! Hate me! love? what news, my Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander? I am as fair. now, as I was erewhile. Since night, you lov'd me; yet, since night, you left me: Why, then you left me, In earnest, shall I say? Lys. Ay, by my life; O, the gods forbid! And never did desire to see thee more. Therefore, be out of hope, of question, doubt, That I do hate thee, and love Helena. 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 modestý, uo maiden shame, No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear game. Now I perceive that she hath made compare him. And are you grown so high in his esteem, Hel. I pray you, though you mock me, gentle 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: 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. 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 shool; and Why will you suffer her to fout me thus ? Lys. Get you gone, you dwarf; You minimus, of hind'ring knot - grass made; Dem. You are too officious, In her behalf that scorns your services, Take not her part: for if thou dost intend Thou shalt aby it. Lys. Now she holds me not; Now follow, if thou dar'st, to try whose right, Or thine or mine, is most in Helena. Dem. Follow? nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jole. [Exeunt LYS. and DEM. 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; My legs are longer though, to run away. {Exit. Her. 1 am amaz'd, and know not what to say. [Exit, pursuing HELENA. Obe. This is thy negligence: still thou mistak'st, Or else commit'st thy kuaveries wilfully. Puck. Believe me, King of shadows, I mistook. Did not you tell me, I should know the man By the Athenian garments he had on? And so far blameless proves my enterprize, That I have 'nointed an Athenian's eyes: And so far am I glad it so did sort, As this their jangling I esteem a sport. |