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, How can these things in me seem scorn to you, more. When truth kills truth, O devilish-holy fray! These vows are Hermia's; Will you give her o'er? Weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh; Your vows, to her and me, put in two scales, Will even weigh; and both as light as tales. 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, per. fect, divine! To what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne; • Heartily.. To vow, and swear and superpraise my parts, To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes, Α 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 guestwise, sojourn'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 deart. Look, where thy love comes; yonder is thy dear. Enter Hermia. Her. Dark night, that from the eye his function takes, The ear more quick of apprehension makes; It pays the hearing double recompense:→ Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound. But why unkindly didst thou leave me so? Lys. Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go? * Degree. 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 ? Have with our neelds‡ created both one flower, Two lovely berries moulded on one stem: Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it: * Circles. + Ingenious. Needles. Her. I am amazed at your passionate words: I scorn you not; it seems that you scorn me. Hel. Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn, To follow me, and praise my eyes and face? And made your other love, Demetrius (Who even but now did spurn me with his foot), You would not make me such an argument. Hel. O excellent! 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, To prove him false, that says I love thee not. * Wry faces. Lys. If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too. Dem. Quick, come, 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! Out, loathed medicine! hated potion, hence! 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? 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,-O, the gods forbid! In earnest, shall I say? Lys. Ay, by my life; 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!* * A worm that preys on buds of flowers. |