Dem. I would, I had your bond; for, I perceive, A weak bond holds you; I'll not truft your word. Lyf. What, fhould I hurt her, ftrike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, I'll not harm her fo. 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 Lyfander? I am as fair now, as I was ere-while. [me; Since night, you lov'd me; yet, fince night, you left Why then you left me In earnest, fhall I fay? Lyf. Ay, by my life; -(O the gods forbid it!) And never did defire to fee thee more. Therefore be out of hope, of queftion, doubt; Her. O me, you jugler; oh, you canker-bloffom, You thief of love; what, have you come by night, And ftoll'n my love's heart from him? Hel. Fine, i'faith! Have you no modefty, no maiden shame, Her. Puppet! why, fo: ay, that way goes the game. Hel. I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen, Let her not hurt me: I was never curst; I have no gift at all in fhrewishness; I am a right maid, for my cowardice: Let her not ftrike me. You, perhaps, may think, Her. Lower! hark, again. Hel. Good Hermia, do not be fo bitter with me; I evermore did love you, Hermia, Did ever keep your counfels, never wrong'd you; I told him of your ftealth unto this wood: Her. Why, get you gone: who is't that hinders you? Hel. A foolish heart, that I leave here behind. Hel. With Demetrius. Lyf. Be not afraid, fhe fhall not harm thee, Helena. Dem. No, Sir, fhe fhall not, though you take her part. Hel. O, when fhe's angry, fhe is keen and fhrewd; She was a vixen, when fhe went to school; And though fhe be but little, fhe is fierce. Her. Little, again? nothing but low, and little? Why will you fuffer her to flout me thus; Let me come to her. Lyf. Get you gone, you dwarf, You Minimus, of hind'ring knot-grass made; Dem. You are too officious, In her behalf that fcorns your fervices. Let her alone, fpeak not of Helena, Take Take not her part: for if thou doft intend Lyf. Now he holds me not; Now follow, if thou dar'ft; to try whofe right, Dem. Follow? nay, I'll go with thee cheek by jowl. Hel. I will not truft you, I; Nor longer stay in your curft company, Your hands, than mine, are quicker for a fray; [Exeunt: Hermia purfuing Helena. SCENE VIII. Enter Oberon and Puck. Ob. This is thy négligence: ftill thou mistak'ft, Puck. Believe me, King of thadows, I miftook. As this their jangling I efteem a fport. Ob. Thou feeft, thefe lovers feek a place to fight; Hie therefore, Robin, overcaft the night; The starry welkin cover thou anon And And from each other, look, thou lead them thus; I'll to my Queen, and beg her Indian boy; At whofe approach, ghosts wandring here and there I with the morning-light have oft made fport; ་་་་་་ Ev'n till the safern gate, all fiery red, Opening on Neptune with FAIR BLESSED beams, But, Turns into yellow gold his falt green freams. 1 The Epithets fair blessed are an infipid unmeaning expletive. Shakespear, without doubt, wrote, FAR-ELESSING beams; Eut, notwithstanding, hafte; make no delay; Puck. Up and down, up and down, Enter Lyfander. [Exit Ob. Lys. Where art thou, proud Demetrius? speak thou now. Puck. Here, villain, drawn and ready. Where art thou? Lyf. I will be with thee straight. Puck. Follow me then. To plainer ground. [Lyf. goes out, as following Dem. Enter Demetrius. Dem. Lyfander, fpeak again; Thou run-away, thou coward, art thou fled? And wilt not come? come, recreant; come, thou child, That draws a fword on thee. Dem. Yea, art thou there? Puck. Follow my voice, we'll try no manhood here. [Exeunt. Lyfander comes back. Lyf. He goes before me, and still dares me on; i.. whofe genial rays have the most extensive influence. A corruption of the fame kind we meet with in Timon, Thou BLESSED-BREEDING fun. which fhould be read, Thou BLESSING-BREEDING fun, i.. who giveth bleffings wherever it shines. When |