But yet an union in partition; Two lovely berries molded on one stem, Our fex, as well as I, may chide you for it, Her. I am amazed at your paffionate words: Hel. Have you not fet Lyfander, as in fcorn, Her. I understand not what you mean by this. Lyf. Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excufe, Her. Sweet, do not fcorn her fo. Dem. If the cannot intreat, I can compel. A term ufed in blazoning, when two coats of arms are quarter ed together, and the fecond is the fame as the first. Lyf. Lyf. Thou can't compel no more than fhe intreat: Thy threats have no more ftrength, than her weak prayers. Helen, I love thee; by my life I do. I swear by that which I will lose for thee, Her. Lyfander, whereto tends all this? Dem. No, no; he'll feem To break away; take on as he would follow; But yet come not: you are a tame man, go. Lyf. Hang off, thou cat, thou bur; vile thing, let loofe; Or I will shake thee from me like a ferpent. Her. Why are you grown fo rude? what change is Sweet love! Lyf. Thy love out, tawny Tartar, out; Out, loathed medicine: hated poison, hence. Her. Do you not jest? Hel. Yes, footh, and fo do you. [this! Lyf. 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. 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 Lyf Ay, by my life; And never did defire to fee thee more. Therefore be out of hope, of question, doubt; Be certain, nothing truer; 'tis no jest, That I do hate thee, and love Helena. Her. O me, you jugler; ob, you canker-bloom, You You thief of love; what have you come by night, Hel. Fine, i' faith! the game. Have you no modesty, no maiden fhame, How low am I, thou painted maypole ? fpeak, But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes. Hel. I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen, Let her not hurt me: I was never curs'd. I have no gift at all in fhrewithness; 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. He follow'd you, for love I follow'd him; But he hath chid me hence, and threaten'd me You fee how fimple and how fond I I am. Her. Why, get you gone: who is't that hinders you? Hel. With Demetrius. Ljf. Be not afraid; the fhall not harm thee, Helena. Dem: Dem. No, Sir, fhe fhall not, tho' you take her part. Hel. O, when she's angry, she is keen and fhrewd ; She was a vixen, when she went to fchool; 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 services. Let her alone, fpeak not of Helena, Take not her part: for if thou dost intend Never fo little fhew of love to her, Thou shalt aby it. Lyf. Now fhe holds me not; Now follow, if thou dar'ft; to try whofe right, Or thine, or mine, is moft in Helena. Dem. Follow? nay, I'll go with thee cheek by jowl. [Exeunt Lyfander and Demetrius. Her. You, miftrefs, all this coyl is long of you. Nay, go not back. Hel. I will not truft you, I; Nor longer stay in your curs'd company. Your hands, than mine, are quicker for a fray; [Exeunt Hermia pursuing Helena. SCENE VIII. Enter Oberon and Puck. Ob. Thou feeft, thefe lovers feek a place to fight; VOL. I. The The ftarry welkin cover thou anon With drooping fogs, as black as Acheron; I'll to my Queen, and beg her Indian boy; From monster's view, and all things fhall be peace. At whofe approach, ghofts wand'ring here and there For fear left day fhould look their fhames upon, I with the morning-light have oft made fport; Puck. Up and down, up and down, [Exit Ob. |