ActIScene1

LYSANDER
Youhaveherfather'slove,Demetrius;
LetmehaveHermia's:doyoumarryhim.
EGEUS
ScornfulLysander!true,hehathmylove,
Andwhatisminemyloveshallrenderhim.
Andsheismine,andallmyrightofher
IdoestateuntoDemetrius.

LYSANDER
Iam,mylord,aswellderivedashe,
Aswellpossess'd;myloveismorethanhis;
Myfortuneseverywayasfairlyrank'd,
Ifnotwithvantage,asDemetrius';
And,whichismorethanalltheseboastscanbe,
IambelovedofbeauteousHermia:
WhyshouldnotIthenprosecutemyright?
Demetrius,I'llavouchittohishead,
MadelovetoNedar'sdaughter,Helena,
Andwonhersoul;andshe,sweetlady,dotes,
Devoutlydotes,dotesinidolatry,
Uponthisspottedandinconstantman.
THESEUS
ImustconfessthatIhaveheardsomuch,
AndwithDemetriusthoughttohavespokethereof;
But,beingoverfullofselfaffairs,
Myminddidloseit.But,Demetrius,come;
Andcome,Egeus;youshallgowithme,
Ihavesomeprivateschoolingforyouboth.

Foryou,fairHermia,lookyouarmyourself
Tofityourfanciestoyourfather'swill;
OrelsethelawofAthensyieldsyouup
Whichbynomeanswemayextenuate
Todeath,ortoavowofsinglelife.
Come,myHippolyta:whatcheer,mylove?
DemetriusandEgeus,goalong:
Imustemployyouinsomebusiness
Againstournuptialandconferwithyou
Ofsomethingnearlythatconcernsyourselves.
EGEUS
Withdutyanddesirewefollowyou.
ExeuntallbutLYSANDERandHERMIA

LYSANDER
Hownow,mylove!whyisyourcheeksopale?
Howchancetherosestheredofadesofast?
HERMIA
Belikeforwantofrain,whichIcouldwell
Beteemthemfromthetempestofmyeyes.

LYSANDER
Ayme!foraughtthatIcouldeverread,
Couldeverhearbytaleorhistory,
Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth;
But,eitheritwasdifferentinblood,
HERMIA
Ocross!toohightobeenthrall'dtolow.

LYSANDER
Orelsemisgraffedinrespectofyears,
HERMIA
Ospite!toooldtobeengagedtoyoung.

LYSANDER
Orelseitstooduponthechoiceoffriends,
HERMIA

Ohell!tochooselovebyanother'seyes.

LYSANDER
Or,iftherewereasympathyinchoice,
War,death,orsicknessdidlaysiegetoit,
Makingitmomentanyasasound,
Swiftasashadow,shortasanydream;
Briefasthelightninginthecolliednight,
That,inaspleen,unfoldsbothheavenandearth,
Andereamanhathpowertosay'Behold!'
Thejawsofdarknessdodevouritup:
Soquickbrightthingscometoconfusion.
HERMIA
Ifthentruelovershavebeenevercross'd,
Itstandsasanedictindestiny:
Thenletusteachourtrialpatience,
Becauseitisacustomarycross,
Asduetoloveasthoughtsanddreamsandsighs,
Wishesandtears,poorfancy'sfollowers.

LYSANDER
Agoodpersuasion:therefore,hearme,Hermia.
Ihaveawidowaunt,adowager
Ofgreatrevenue,andshehathnochild:
FromAthensisherhouseremotesevenleagues;
Andsherespectsmeasheronlyson.
There,gentleHermia,mayImarrythee;
AndtothatplacethesharpAthenianlaw
Cannotpursueus.Ifthoulovestmethen,

Stealforththyfather'shousetomorrownight;
Andinthewood,aleaguewithoutthetown,
WhereIdidmeettheeoncewithHelena,
TodoobservancetoamornofMay,
TherewillIstayforthee.
HERMIA
MygoodLysander!
Isweartothee,byCupid'sstrongestbow,
Byhisbestarrowwiththegoldenhead,
BythesimplicityofVenus'doves,
Bythatwhichknittethsoulsandprospersloves,
Andbythatfirewhichburn'dtheCarthagequeen,
WhenthefalseTroyanundersailwasseen,
Byallthevowsthatevermenhavebroke,
Innumbermorethaneverwomenspoke,
Inthatsameplacethouhastappointedme,
TomorrowtrulywillImeetwiththee.

LYSANDER
Keeppromise,love.Look,herecomesHelena.
EnterHELENA

HERMIA
GodspeedfairHelena!whitheraway?
HELENA
Callyoumefair?thatfairagainunsay.
Demetriuslovesyourfair:Ohappyfair!
Youreyesarelodestars;andyourtongue'ssweetair
Moretuneablethanlarktoshepherd'sear,
Whenwheatisgreen,whenhawthornbudsappear.
Sicknessiscatching:O,werefavourso,
YourswouldIcatch,fairHermia,ereIgo;
Myearshouldcatchyourvoice,myeyeyoureye,
Mytongueshouldcatchyourtongue'ssweetmelody.
Weretheworldmine,Demetriusbeingbated,
TherestI'dgivetobetoyoutranslated.
O,teachmehowyoulook,andwithwhatart
YouswaythemotionofDemetrius'heart.
HERMIA
Ifrownuponhim,yethelovesmestill.
HELENA
Othatyourfrownswouldteachmysmilessuchskill!
HERMIA
Igivehimcurses,yethegivesmelove.
HELENA
Othatmyprayerscouldsuchaffectionmove!
HERMIA

ThemoreIhate,themorehefollowsme.
HELENA
ThemoreIlove,themorehehatethme.
HERMIA
Hisfolly,Helena,isnofaultofmine.
HELENA
None,butyourbeauty:wouldthatfaultweremine!
HERMIA
Takecomfort:henomoreshallseemyface;
Lysanderandmyselfwillflythisplace.
BeforethetimeIdidLysandersee,
Seem'dAthensasaparadisetome:
O,then,whatgracesinmylovedodwell,
Thathehathturn'daheavenuntoahell!

LYSANDER
Helen,toyouourmindswewillunfold:
Tomorrownight,whenPhoebedothbehold
Hersilvervisageinthewateryglass,
Deckingwithliquidpearlthebladedgrass,
Atimethatlovers'flightsdothstillconceal,
ThroughAthens'gateshavewedevisedtosteal.
HERMIA
Andinthewood,whereoftenyouandI
Uponfaintprimrosebedswerewonttolie,
Emptyingourbosomsoftheircounselsweet,
TheremyLysanderandmyselfshallmeet;
AndthencefromAthensturnawayoureyes,
Toseeknewfriendsandstrangercompanies.
Farewell,sweetplayfellow:praythouforus;
AndgoodluckgranttheethyDemetrius!
Keepword,Lysander:wemuststarveoursight
Fromlovers'foodtillmorrowdeepmidnight.

LYSANDER
Iwill,myHermia.
ExitHERMIA

Helena,adieu:
Asyouonhim,Demetriusdoteonyou!
Exit

Act II, Scene 2

EnterLYSANDERandHERMIA
LYSANDER
Fairlove,youfaintwithwanderinginthewood;
Andtospeaktroth,Ihaveforgotourway:
We'llrestus,Hermia,ifyouthinkitgood,
Andtarryforthecomfortoftheday.
HERMIA
Beitso,Lysander:findyououtabed;
ForIuponthisbankwillrestmyhead.

LYSANDER
Oneturfshallserveaspillowforusboth;
Oneheart,onebed,twobosomsandonetroth.
HERMIA
Nay,goodLysander;formysake,mydear,
Liefurtheroffyet,donotliesonear.

LYSANDER
O,takethesense,sweet,ofmyinnocence!
Lovetakesthemeaninginlove'sconference.
Imean,thatmyheartuntoyoursisknit
Sothatbutoneheartwecanmakeofit;
Twobosomsinterchainedwithanoath;
Sothentwobosomsandasingletroth.
Thenbyyoursidenobedroommedeny;
Forlyingso,Hermia,Idonotlie.
HERMIA

Lysanderriddlesveryprettily:
Nowmuchbeshrewmymannersandmypride,
IfHermiameanttosayLysanderlied.
But,gentlefriend,forloveandcourtesy
Liefurtheroff;inhumanmodesty,
Suchseparationasmaywellbesaid
Becomesavirtuousbachelorandamaid,
Sofarbedistant;and,goodnight,sweetfriend:
Thylovene'eraltertillthysweetlifeend!

LYSANDER
Amen,amen,tothatfairprayer,sayI;
AndthenendlifewhenIendloyalty!
Hereismybed:sleepgivetheeallhisrest!
HERMIA
Withhalfthatwishthewisher'seyesbepress'd!
Theysleep
EnterPUCK
PUCK
ThroughtheforesthaveIgone.
ButAthenianfoundInone,
OnwhoseeyesImightapprove
Thisflower'sforceinstirringlove.
Nightandsilence.Whoishere?
WeedsofAthenshedothwear:
Thisishe,mymastersaid,
DespisedtheAthenianmaid;
Andherethemaiden,sleepingsound,
Onthedankanddirtyground.
Prettysoul!shedurstnotlie
Nearthislacklove,thiskillcourtesy.
Churl,uponthyeyesIthrow
Allthepowerthischarmdothowe.
Whenthouwakest,letloveforbid
Sleephisseatonthyeyelid:
SoawakewhenIamgone;
ForImustnowtoOberon.
Exit
EnterDEMETRIUSandHELENA,running
HELENA
Stay,thoughthoukillme,sweetDemetrius.
DEMETRIUS
Ichargethee,hence,anddonothauntmethus.
HELENA
O,wiltthoudarklingleaveme?donotso.
DEMETRIUS
Stay,onthyperil:Ialonewillgo.
Exit
HELENA

O,Iamoutofbreathinthisfondchase!
Themoremyprayer,thelesserismygrace.
HappyisHermia,wheresoe'ershelies;
Forshehathblessedandattractiveeyes.
Howcamehereyessobright?Notwithsalttears:
Ifso,myeyesareoftenerwash'dthanhers.
No,no,Iamasuglyasabear;
Forbeaststhatmeetmerunawayforfear:
ThereforenomarvelthoughDemetrius
Do,asamonsterflymypresencethus.
Whatwickedanddissemblingglassofmine
MademecomparewithHermia'sspheryeyne?
Butwhoishere?Lysander!ontheground!
Dead?orasleep?Iseenoblood,nowound.
Lysanderifyoulive,goodsir,awake.

LYSANDER
[Awaking]AndrunthroughfireIwillforthysweetsake.
TransparentHelena!Natureshowsart,
Thatthroughthybosommakesmeseethyheart.
WhereisDemetrius?O,howfitaword
Isthatvilenametoperishonmysword!
HELENA
Donotsayso,Lysander;saynotso
WhatthoughheloveyourHermia?Lord,whatthough?
YetHermiastilllovesyou:thenbecontent.

LYSANDER
ContentwithHermia!No;Idorepent
ThetediousminutesIwithherhavespent.
NotHermiabutHelenaIlove:
Whowillnotchangearavenforadove?
Thewillofmanisbyhisreasonsway'd;
Andreasonsaysyouaretheworthiermaid.
Thingsgrowingarenotripeuntiltheirseason
SoI,beingyoung,tillnowripenottoreason;

Andtouchingnowthepointofhumanskill,
Reasonbecomesthemarshaltomywill
Andleadsmetoyoureyes,whereIo'erlook
Love'sstorieswritteninlove'srichestbook.
HELENA
WhereforewasItothiskeenmockeryborn?
WhenatyourhandsdidIdeservethisscorn?
Is'tnotenough,is'tnotenough,youngman,
ThatIdidnever,no,nornevercan,
DeserveasweetlookfromDemetrius'eye,
Butyoumustfloutmyinsufficiency?
Goodtroth,youdomewrong,goodsooth,youdo,
Insuchdisdainfulmannermetowoo.
Butfareyouwell:perforceImustconfess
Ithoughtyoulordofmoretruegentleness.
O,thatalady,ofonemanrefused.
Shouldofanotherthereforebeabused!
Exit

LYSANDER
SheseesnotHermia.Hermia,sleepthouthere:
AndnevermaystthoucomeLysandernear!
Forasasurfeitofthesweetestthings
Thedeepestloathingtothestomachbrings,
Orastieheresiesthatmendoleave
Arehatedmostofthosetheydiddeceive,
Sothou,mysurfeitandmyheresy,
Ofallbehated,butthemostofme!
And,allmypowers,addressyourloveandmight
TohonourHelenandtobeherknight!
Exit
HERMIA

[Awaking]Helpme,Lysander,helpme!dothybest
Topluckthiscrawlingserpentfrommybreast!
Ayme,forpity!whatadreamwashere!
Lysander,lookhowIdoquakewithfear:
Methoughtaserpenteatmyheartaway,
Andyousatsmilingathiscruelpray.
Lysander!what,removed?Lysander!lord!
What,outofhearing?gone?nosound,noword?
Alack,whereareyouspeak,anifyouhear;
Speak,ofallloves!Iswoonalmostwithfear.
No?thenIwellperceiveyouallnotnigh
EitherdeathoryouI'llfindimmediately.
Exit

ActIII,Scene2
EnterLYSANDERandHELENA
LYSANDER
WhyshouldyouthinkthatIshouldwooinscorn?
Scornandderisionnevercomeintears:
Look,whenIvow,Iweep;andvowssoborn,
Intheirnativityalltruthappears.
Howcanthesethingsinmeseemscorntoyou,
Bearingthebadgeoffaith,toprovethemtrue?
HELENA
Youdoadvanceyourcunningmoreandmore.
Whentruthkillstruth,Odevilishholyfray!
ThesevowsareHermia's:willyougivehero'er?
Weighoathwithoath,andyouwillnothingweigh:
Yourvowstoherandme,putintwoscales,
Willevenweigh,andbothaslightastales.

LYSANDER
IhadnojudgmentwhentoherIswore.
HELENA
Nornone,inmymind,nowyougivehero'er.

LYSANDER

Demetriuslovesher,andhelovesnotyou.
DEMETRIUS
[Awaking]OHelena,goddess,nymph,perfect,divine!
Towhat,mylove,shallIcomparethineeyne?
Crystalismuddy.O,howripeinshow
Thylips,thosekissingcherries,temptinggrow!
Thatpurecongealedwhite,highTaurussnow,
Fann'dwiththeeasternwind,turnstoacrow
Whenthouhold'stupthyhand:O,letmekiss
Thisprincessofpurewhite,thissealofbliss!
HELENA
Ospite!Ohell!Iseeyouallarebent
Tosetagainstmeforyourmerriment:
Ifyouwerecivilandknewcourtesy,
Youwouldnotdomethusmuchinjury.

Canyounothateme,asIknowyoudo,
Butyoumustjoininsoulstomockmetoo?
Ifyouweremen,asmenyouareinshow,
Youwouldnotuseagentleladyso;
Tovow,andswear,andsuperpraisemyparts,
WhenIamsureyouhatemewithyourhearts.
Youbotharerivals,andloveHermia;
Andnowbothrivals,tomockHelena:
Atrimexploit,amanlyenterprise,
Toconjuretearsupinapoormaid'seyes
Withyourderision!noneofnoblesort
Wouldsooffendavirgin,andextort
Apoorsoul'spatience,alltomakeyousport.

LYSANDER
Youareunkind,Demetrius;benotso;
ForyouloveHermia;thisyouknowIknow:
Andhere,withallgoodwill,withallmyheart,
InHermia'sloveIyieldyouupmypart;
AndyoursofHelenatomebequeath,
WhomIdoloveandwilldotillmydeath.
HELENA
Neverdidmockerswastemoreidlebreath.
DEMETRIUS
Lysander,keepthyHermia;Iwillnone:
Ife'erIlovedher,allthatloveisgone.
Myhearttoherbutasguestwisesojourn'd,
AndnowtoHelenisithomereturn'd,
Theretoremain.

LYSANDER
Helen,itisnotso.
DEMETRIUS
Disparagenotthefaiththoudostnotknow,
Lest,tothyperil,thouabyitdear.
Look,wherethylovecomes;yonderisthydear.
ReenterHERMIA
HERMIA
Darknight,thatfromtheeyehisfunctiontakes,
Theearmorequickofapprehensionmakes;
Whereinitdothimpairtheseeingsense,
Itpaysthehearingdoublerecompense.
Thouartnotbymineeye,Lysander,found;
Mineear,Ithankit,broughtmetothysound
Butwhyunkindlydidstthouleavemeso?

LYSANDER
Whyshouldhestay,whomlovedothpresstogo?
HERMIA
WhatlovecouldpressLysanderfrommyside?

LYSANDER
Lysander'slove,thatwouldnotlethimbide,
FairHelena,whomoreengildsthenight
Thanallyoufieryoesandeyesoflight.
Whyseek'stthoume?couldnotthismaketheeknow,
ThehateIbeartheemademeleavetheeso?
HERMIA
Youspeaknotasyouthink:itcannotbe.
HELENA
Lo,sheisoneofthisconfederacy!
NowIperceivetheyhaveconjoin'dallthree
Tofashionthisfalsesport,inspiteofme.
InjuriousHermia!mostungratefulmaid!
Haveyouconspired,haveyouwiththesecontrived
Tobaitmewiththisfoulderision?
Isallthecounselthatwetwohaveshared,
Thesisters'vows,thehoursthatwehavespent,
Whenwehavechidthehastyfootedtime
Forpartingus,O,isitallforgot?
Allschooldays'friendship,childhoodinnocence?
We,Hermia,liketwoartificialgods,
Havewithourneedlescreatedbothoneflower,
Bothononesampler,sittingononecushion,
Bothwarblingofonesong,bothinonekey,
Asifourhands,oursides,voicesandminds,
Hadbeenincorporate.Sowegrowtogether,
Liketoadoublecherry,seemingparted,
Butyetanunioninpartition;
Twolovelyberriesmouldedononestem;
So,withtwoseemingbodies,butoneheart;
Twoofthefirst,likecoatsinheraldry,
Duebuttooneandcrownedwithonecrest.
Andwillyourentourancientloveasunder,
Tojoinwithmeninscorningyourpoorfriend?
Itisnotfriendly,'tisnotmaidenly:
Oursex,aswellasI,maychideyouforit,
ThoughIalonedofeeltheinjury.
HERMIA
Iamamazedatyourpassionatewords.
Iscornyounot:itseemsthatyouscornme.
HELENA

HaveyounotsetLysander,asinscorn,
Tofollowmeandpraisemyeyesandface?
Andmadeyourotherlove,Demetrius,
Whoevenbutnowdidspurnmewithhisfoot,
Tocallmegoddess,nymph,divineandrare,
Precious,celestial?Whereforespeakshethis
Toherhehates?andwhereforedothLysander
Denyyourlove,sorichwithinhissoul,
Andtenderme,forsooth,affection,
Butbyyoursettingon,byyourconsent?
WhatthoughtIbenotsoingraceasyou,
Sohunguponwithlove,sofortunate,
Butmiserablemost,toloveunloved?
Thisyoushouldpityratherthandespise.
HERNIA
Iunderstandnotwhatyoumeanbythis.
HELENA
Ay,do,persever,counterfeitsadlooks,
MakemouthsuponmewhenIturnmyback;
Winkeachatother;holdthesweetjestup:
Thissport,wellcarried,shallbechronicled.
Ifyouhaveanypity,grace,ormanners,
Youwouldnotmakemesuchanargument.
Butfareyewell:'tispartlymyownfault;
Whichdeathorabsencesoonshallremedy.

LYSANDER
Stay,gentleHelena;hearmyexcuse:
Mylove,mylifemysoul,fairHelena!
HELENA
Oexcellent!
HERMIA
Sweet,donotscornherso.
DEMETRIUS
Ifshecannotentreat,Icancompel.

LYSANDER

Thoucanstcompelnomorethansheentreat:
Thythreatshavenomorestrengththanherweakprayers.
Helen,Ilovethee;bymylife,Ido:
IswearbythatwhichIwillloseforthee,
ToprovehimfalsethatsaysIlovetheenot.
DEMETRIUS
IsayIlovetheemorethanhecando.

LYSANDER

Ifthousayso,withdraw,andproveittoo.
DEMETRIUS
Quick,come!
HERMIA
Lysander,wheretotendsallthis?

LYSANDER
Away,youEthiope!
DEMETRIUS
No,no;he'll[]
Seemtobreakloose;takeonasyouwouldfollow,
Butyetcomenot:youareatameman,go!

LYSANDER
Hangoff,thoucat,thouburr!vilething,letloose,
OrIwillshaketheefrommelikeaserpent!
HERMIA
Whyareyougrownsorude?whatchangeisthis?
Sweetlove,

LYSANDER
Thylove!out,tawnyTartar,out!
Out,loathedmedicine!hatedpotion,hence!
HERMIA
Doyounotjest?
HELENA
Yes,sooth;andsodoyou.

LYSANDER
Demetrius,Iwillkeepmywordwiththee.
DEMETRIUS
IwouldIhadyourbond,forIperceive
Aweakbondholdsyou:I'llnottrustyourword.

LYSANDER
What,shouldIhurther,strikeher,killherdead?
AlthoughIhateher,I'llnotharmherso.

HERMIA
What,canyoudomegreaterharmthanhate?
Hateme!wherefore?Ome!whatnews,mylove!
AmnotIHermia?arenotyouLysander?
IamasfairnowasIwaserewhile.
Sincenightyoulovedme;yetsincenightyouleft
me:
Why,thenyouleftmeO,thegodsforbid!
Inearnest,shallIsay?

LYSANDER
Ay,bymylife;
Andneverdiddesiretoseetheemore.
Thereforebeoutofhope,ofquestion,ofdoubt;
Becertain,nothingtruer;'tisnojest
ThatIdohatetheeandloveHelena.
HERMIA
Ome!youjuggler!youcankerblossom!
Youthiefoflove!what,haveyoucomebynight
Andstolenmylove'sheartfromhim?
HELENA
Fine,i'faith!
Haveyounomodesty,nomaidenshame,
Notouchofbashfulness?What,willyoutear
Impatientanswersfrommygentletongue?
Fie,fie!youcounterfeit,youpuppet,you!
HERMIA
Puppet?whyso?ay,thatwaygoesthegame.
NowIperceivethatshehathmadecompare
Betweenourstatures;shehathurgedherheight;
Andwithherpersonage,hertallpersonage,
Herheight,forsooth,shehathprevail'dwithhim.
Andareyougrownsohighinhisesteem;
BecauseIamsodwarfishandsolow?
HowlowamI,thoupaintedmaypole?speak;
HowlowamI?Iamnotyetsolow
Butthatmynailscanreachuntothineeyes.
HELENA
Iprayyou,thoughyoumockme,gentlemen,
Lethernothurtme:Iwasnevercurst;
Ihavenogiftatallinshrewishness;
Iamarightmaidformycowardice:
Lethernotstrikeme.Youperhapsmaythink,
Becausesheissomethinglowerthanmyself,
ThatIcanmatchher.
HERMIA
Lower!hark,again.
HELENA
GoodHermia,donotbesobitterwithme.
Ievermoredidloveyou,Hermia,

Dideverkeepyourcounsels,neverwrong'dyou;
Savethat,inloveuntoDemetrius,
Itoldhimofyourstealthuntothiswood.
Hefollow'dyou;forloveIfollow'dhim;
Buthehathchidmehenceandthreaten'dme
Tostrikeme,spurnme,nay,tokillmetoo:
Andnow,soyouwillletmequietgo,
ToAthenswillIbearmyfollyback
Andfollowyounofurther:letmego:
YouseehowsimpleandhowfondIam.
HERMIA
Why,getyougone:whois'tthathindersyou?
HELENA
Afoolishheart,thatIleaveherebehind.
HERMIA
What,withLysander?
HELENA
WithDemetrius.

LYSANDER
Benotafraid;sheshallnotharmthee,Helena.
DEMETRIUS
No,sir,sheshallnot,thoughyoutakeherpart.
HELENA
O,whenshe'sangry,sheiskeenandshrewd!
Shewasavixenwhenshewenttoschool;
Andthoughshebebutlittle,sheisfierce.
HERMIA
'Little'again!nothingbut'low'and'little'!
Whywillyousufferhertofloutmethus?
Letmecometoher.

LYSANDER
Getyougone,youdwarf;
Youminimus,ofhinderingknotgrassmade;
Youbead,youacorn.
DEMETRIUS
Youaretooofficious
Inherbehalfthatscornsyourservices.
Letheralone:speaknotofHelena;
Takenotherpart;for,ifthoudostintend
Neversolittleshowoflovetoher,
Thoushaltabyit.

LYSANDER

Nowsheholdsmenot;
Nowfollow,ifthoudarest,totrywhoseright,
Ofthineormine,ismostinHelena.
DEMETRIUS
Follow!nay,I'llgowiththee,cheekbyjole.
ExeuntLYSANDERandDEMETRIUS

ReenterLYSANDER

LYSANDER
Whereartthou,proudDemetrius?speakthounow.
PUCK
Here,villain;drawnandready.Whereartthou?

LYSANDER
Iwillbewiththeestraight.
PUCK
Followme,then,
Toplainerground.
ExitLYSANDER,asfollowingthevoice
ReenterDEMETRIUS
DEMETRIUS
Lysander!speakagain:
Thourunaway,thoucoward,artthoufled?
Speak!Insomebush?Wheredostthouhidethyhead?
PUCK
Thoucoward,artthoubraggingtothestars,
Tellingthebushesthatthoulook'stforwars,
Andwiltnotcome?Come,recreant;come,thouchild;
I'llwhiptheewitharod:heisdefiled
Thatdrawsaswordonthee.
DEMETRIUS
Yea,artthouthere?
PUCK
Followmyvoice:we'lltrynomanhoodhere.
Exeunt
ReenterLYSANDER

LYSANDER

Hegoesbeforemeandstilldaresmeon:
WhenIcomewherehecalls,thenheisgone.
Thevillainismuchlighterheel'dthanI:
Ifollow'dfast,butfasterhedidfly;
ThatfallenamIindarkunevenway,
Andherewillrestme.
Liesdown
Come,thougentleday!
Forifbutoncethoushowmethygreylight,
I'llfindDemetriusandrevengethisspite.
Sleeps

ActIV,Scene1
THESEUS
Go,bidthehuntsmenwakethemwiththeirhorns.
Hornsandshoutwithin.LYSANDER,DEMETRIUS,HELENA,andHERMIAwakeandstartup
Goodmorrow,friends.SaintValentineispast:
Beginthesewoodbirdsbuttocouplenow?

LYSANDER
Pardon,mylord.
THESEUS
Iprayyouall,standup.
Iknowyoutwoarerivalenemies:
Howcomesthisgentleconcordintheworld,
Thathatredissofarfromjealousy,
Tosleepbyhate,andfearnoenmity?

LYSANDER
Mylord,Ishallreplyamazedly,
Halfsleep,halfwaking:butasyet,Iswear,
IcannottrulysayhowIcamehere;
But,asIthink,fortrulywouldIspeak,
AndnowdoIbethinkme,soitis,
IcamewithHermiahither:ourintent
WastobegonefromAthens,wherewemight,
WithouttheperiloftheAthenianlaw.
EGEUS
Enough,enough,mylord;youhaveenough:
Ibegthelaw,thelaw,uponhishead.
Theywouldhavestolenaway;theywould,Demetrius,
Therebytohavedefeatedyouandme,
Youofyourwifeandmeofmyconsent,
Ofmyconsentthatsheshouldbeyourwife.
DEMETRIUS
Mylord,fairHelentoldmeoftheirstealth,
Ofthistheirpurposehithertothiswood;
AndIinfuryhitherfollow'dthem,
FairHelenainfancyfollowingme.

But,mygoodlord,Iwotnotbywhatpower,
Butbysomepoweritis,mylovetoHermia,
Meltedasthesnow,seemstomenow
Astheremembranceofanidlegaud
WhichinmychildhoodIdiddoteupon;
Andallthefaith,thevirtueofmyheart,
Theobjectandthepleasureofmineeye,
IsonlyHelena.Toher,mylord,
WasIbetroth'dereIsawHermia:
But,likeinsickness,didIloathethisfood;
But,asinhealth,cometomynaturaltaste,
NowIdowishit,loveit,longforit,
Andwillforevermorebetruetoit.
THESEUS
Fairlovers,youarefortunatelymet:
Ofthisdiscoursewemorewillhearanon.
Egeus,Iwilloverbearyourwill;
Forinthetemplebyandbywithus
Thesecouplesshalleternallybeknit:
And,forthemorningnowissomethingworn,
Ourpurposedhuntingshallbesetaside.
AwaywithustoAthens;threeandthree,
We'llholdafeastingreatsolemnity.
Come,Hippolyta.
ExeuntTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,EGEUS,andtrain
DEMETRIUS
Thesethingsseemsmallandundistinguishable,
HERMIA
MethinksIseethesethingswithpartedeye,
Wheneverythingseemsdouble.
HELENA
Somethinks:
AndIhavefoundDemetriuslikeajewel,
Mineown,andnotmineown.
DEMETRIUS
Areyousure
Thatweareawake?Itseemstome
Thatyetwesleep,wedream.Donotyouthink
Thedukewashere,andbidusfollowhim?
HERMIA
Yea;andmyfather.
HELENA
AndHippolyta.

LYSANDER
Andhedidbidusfollowtothetemple.
DEMETRIUS
Why,then,weareawake:let'sfollowhim
Andbythewayletusrecountourdreams.
Exeunt

ActV,Scene1

THESEUS
Herecomethelovers,fullofjoyandmirth.
EnterLYSANDER,DEMETRIUS,HERMIA,andHELENA
Joy,gentlefriends!joyandfreshdaysoflove
Accompanyyourhearts!

LYSANDER
Morethantous
Waitinyourroyalwalks,yourboard,yourbed!

Prologue
Ifweoffend,itiswithourgoodwill.
Thatyoushouldthink,wecomenottooffend,
Butwithgoodwill.Toshowoursimpleskill,
Thatisthetruebeginningofourend.
Considerthenwecomebutindespite.
Wedonotcomeasmindingtocontestyou,
Ourtrueintentis.Allforyourdelight
Wearenothere.Thatyoushouldhererepentyou,
Theactorsareathandandbytheirshow
Youshallknowallthatyouareliketoknow.
THESEUS
Thisfellowdothnotstanduponpoints.

LYSANDER
Hehathridhisprologuelikearoughcolt;heknows
notthestop.Agoodmoral,mylord:itisnot
enoughtospeak,buttospeaktrue.
HIPPOLYTA
Indeedhehathplayedonhisprologuelikeachild
onarecorder;asound,butnotingovernment.
THESEUS

Hisspeech,waslikeatangledchain;nothing
impaired,butalldisordered.Whoisnext?

Lion
You,ladies,you,whosegentleheartsdofear
Thesmallestmonstrousmousethatcreepsonfloor,
Maynowperchancebothquakeandtremblehere,
Whenlionroughinwildestragedothroar.
ThenknowthatI,oneSnugthejoiner,am
Alionfell,norelsenolion'sdam;
For,ifIshouldaslioncomeinstrife
Intothisplace,'twerepityonmylife.
THESEUS
Averygentlebeast,ofagoodconscience.
DEMETRIUS
Theverybestatabeast,mylord,thate'erIsaw.

LYSANDER
Thislionisaveryfoxforhisvalour.
THESEUS
True;andagooseforhisdiscretion.

Moonshine
Thislanthorndoththehornedmoonpresent;
Myselfthemani'themoondoseemtobe.
THESEUS
Thisisthegreatesterrorofalltherest:theman
shouldbeputintothelanthorn.Howisitelsethe
mani'themoon?
DEMETRIUS
Hedaresnotcomethereforthecandle;for,you
see,itisalreadyinsnuff.
HIPPOLYTA
Iamawearyofthismoon:wouldhewouldchange!
THESEUS
Itappears,byhissmalllightofdiscretion,that
heisinthewane;butyet,incourtesy,inall
reason,wemuststaythetime.

LYSANDER

Proceed,Moon.

Lion
[Roaring]Oh
Thisberunsoff
DEMETRIUS
Wellroared,Lion.
THESEUS
Wellrun,Thisbe.
HIPPOLYTA
Wellshone,Moon.Truly,themoonshineswitha
goodgrace.
TheLionshakesThisbe'smantle,andexit
THESEUS
Wellmoused,Lion.

LYSANDER
Andsothelionvanished.
DEMETRIUS
AndthencamePyramus.

Nowdie,die,die,die,die.
Dies
DEMETRIUS
Nodie,butanace,forhim;forheisbutone.

LYSANDER
Lessthananace,man;forheisdead;heisnothing.
THESEUS
Withthehelpofasurgeonhemightyetrecover,and
proveanass.
HIPPOLYTA
HowchanceMoonshineisgonebeforeThisbecomes
backandfindsherlover?
THESEUS
Shewillfindhimbystarlight.Hereshecomes;and
herpassionendstheplay.
ReenterThisbe
HIPPOLYTA
Methinkssheshouldnotusealongoneforsucha
Pyramus:Ihopeshewillbebrief.

DEMETRIUS
Amotewillturnthebalance,whichPyramus,which
Thisbe,isthebetter;heforaman,Godwarrantus;
sheforawoman,Godblessus.

LYSANDER
Shehathspiedhimalreadywiththosesweeteyes.
DEMETRIUS
Andthusshemeans,videlicet: