Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. A Midsummer Night's Dream (1623 First Folio Edition)
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
|
Table of Contents for this work | | All on-line databases | Etext Center Homepage |
Act III
812: Actus Tertius.
813: [ Enter the Clownes.]
814:
Bot.
Are we all met?
815:
Quin.
Pat, pat, and here's a maruailous conuenient
816: place for our rehearsall. This greene plot shall be our
817: stage, this hauthorne brake our tyring house, and we will
818: do it in action, as we will do it before the Duke.
819:
Bot.
Peter Quince?
820:
Peter.
What saist thou, bully Bottome?
821:
Bot.
There are things in this Comedy of Piramus and
822: Thisby, that will neuer please. First, Piramus must draw a
823: sword to kill himselfe; which the Ladies cannot abide.
824: How answere you that?
825:
Snout.
Berlaken, a parlous feare.
826:
Star.
I beleeue we must leaue the killing out, when
827: all is done.
828:
Bot.
Not a whit, I haue a deuice to make all well.
829: Write me a Prologue, and let the Prologue seeme to say,
830: we will do no harme with our swords, and that Pyramus
831: is not kill'd indeede: and for the more better assurance,
832: tell them, that I Piramus am not Piramus, but Bottome the
833: Weauer; this will put them out of feare.
834:
Quin.
Well, we will haue such a Prologue, and it shall
835: be written in eight and sixe.
836:
Bot.
No, make it two more, let it be written in eight
837: and eight.
838:
Snout.
Will not the Ladies be afear'd of the Lyon?
839:
Star.
I feare it, I promise you.
840:
Bot.
Masters, you ought to consider with your selues, to
841: bring in (God shield vs) a Lyon among Ladies, is a most
842: dreadfull thing. For there is not a more fearefull wilde
843: foule then your Lyon liuing: and wee ought to looke
844: to it.
845:
Snout.
Therefore another Prologue must tell he is not
846: a Lyon.
847:
Bot.
Nay, you must name his name, and halfe his face
848: must be seene through the Lyons necke, and he himselfe
849: must speake through, saying thus, or to the same defect;
850: Ladies, or faire Ladies, I would wish you, or I would
851: request you, or I would entreat you, not to feare, not to
852: tremble: my life for yours. If you thinke I come hither
853: as a Lyon, it were pitty of my life. No, I am no such
854: thing, I am a man as other men are; and there indeed let
855: him name his name, and tell him plainly hee is Snug the
856: ioyner.
857:
Quin.
Well, it shall be so; but there is two hard
858: things, that is, to bring the Moone-light into a cham-ber:
859: for you know Piramus and Thisby meete by Moone-light.
860: _
861:
Sn.
Doth the Moone shine that night wee play our
862: play?
863:
Bot.
A Calender, a Calender, looke in the Almanack,
864: finde out Moone-shine, finde out Moone-shine.
865: [ Enter Pucke.]
866:
Quin.
Yes, it doth shine that night.
867:
Bot.
Why then may you leaue a casement of the great
868: chamber window (where we play) open, and the Moone
869: may shine in at the casement.
870:
Quin.
I, or else one must come in with a bush of thorns
871: and a lanthorne, and say he comes to disfigure, or to pre-sent
872: the person of Moone-shine. Then there is another
873: thing, we must haue a wall in the great Chamber; for Pi-ramus
874: and Thisby (saies the story) did talke through the
875: chinke of a wall.
876:
Sn.
You can neuer bring in a wall. What say you
877: Bottome?
878:
Bot.
Some man or other must present wall, and let
879: him haue some Plaster, or some Lome, or some rough
880: cast about him, to signifie wall; or let him hold his fin-gers
881: thus; and through that cranny shall Piramus and
882: Thisby whisper.
883:
Quin.
If that may be, then all is well. Come, sit
884: downe euery mothers sonne, and rehearse your parts.
885: Piramus, you begin; when you haue spoken your speech,
886: enter into that Brake, and so euery one according to his
887: cue.
888: [ Enter Robin.]
889:
Rob.
What hempen home-spuns haue we swagge-ring
890: here,
891: So neere the Cradle of the Faierie Queene?
892: What, a Play toward? Ile be an auditor,
893: An Actor too perhaps, if I see cause.
894:
Quin.
Speake Piramus: Thisby stand forth.
895:
Pir.
Thisby, the flowers of odious sauors sweete.
896:
Quin.
Odours, odours.
897:
Pir.
Odours sauors sweete,
898: So hath thy breath, my dearest Thisby deare.
899: But harke, a voyce: stay thou but here a while,
900: And by and by I will to thee appeare. [ Exit. Pir.]
901:
Puck.
A stranger Piramus, then ere plaid here.
902:
This.
Must I speake now?
903:
Pet.
I marry must you. For you must vnderstand he
904: goes but to see a noyse that he heard, and is to come a-gaine.
905: _
906:
Thys.
Most radiant Piramus, most Lilly white of hue,
907: Of colour like the red rose on triumphant bryer,
908: Most brisky Iuuenall, and eke most louely Iew,
909: As true as truest horse, that yet would neuer tyre,
910: Ile meete thee Piramus, at Ninnies toombe.
911:
Pet.
Ninus toombe man: why, you must not speake
912: that yet; that you answere to Piramus: you speake all
913: your part at once, cues and all. Piramus enter, your cue is
914: past; it is neuer tyre.
915:
Thys.
O, as true as truest horse, that yet would neuer
916: tyre:
917:
Pir.
If I were faire, Thisby I were onely thine.
918:
Pet.
O monstrous. O strange. We are hanted; pray
919: masters, flye masters, helpe.
920: [ The Clownes all Exit.]
921:
Puk.
Ile follow you, Ile leade you about a Round,
922: Through bogge, through bush, through brake, through bryer,
923: Sometime a horse Ile be, sometime a hound:
924: A hogge, a headlesse beare, sometime a fire,
925: And neigh, and barke, and grunt, and rore, and burne,
926: Like horse, hound, hog, beare, fire, at euery turne. [ Exit.]
927: [ Enter Piramus with the Asse head.]
928:
Bot.
Why do they run away? This is a knauery of
929: them to make me afeard. [ Enter Snowt.]
930:
Sn.
O Bottom, thou art chang'd; What doe I see on
931: thee?
932:
Bot.
What do you see? You see an Asse-head of your
933: owne, do you?
934: [ Enter Peter Quince.]
935:
Pet.
Blesse thee Bottome, blesse thee; thou art transla-ted.
936: [ Exit.]
937:
Bot.
I see their knauery; this is to make an asse of me,
938: to fright me if they could; but I will not stirre from
939: this place, do what they can. I will walke vp and downe
940: here, and I will sing that they shall heare I am not a-fraid.
941: _
942: The Woosell cocke, so blacke of hew,
943: With Orenge-tawny bill.
944: The Throstle, with his note so true,
945: The Wren and little quill.
946:
Tyta.
What Angell wakes me from my flowry bed?
947:
Bot.
The Finch, the Sparrow, and the Larke,
948: The plainsong Cuckow gray;
949: Whose note full many a man doth marke,
950: And dares not answere, nay.
951: For indeede, who would set his wit to so foolish a bird?
952: Who would giue a bird the lye, though he cry Cuckow,
953: neuer so?
954:
Tyta.
I pray thee gentle mortall, sing againe,
955: Mine eare is much enamored of thy note;
956: On the first view to say, to sweare I loue thee.
957: So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape.
958: And thy faire vertues force (perforce) doth moue me.
959:
Bot.
Me-thinkes mistresse, you should haue little
960: reason for that: and yet to say the truth, reason and
961: loue keepe little company together, now-adayes.
962: The more the pittie, that some honest neighbours will
963: not make them friends. Nay, I can gleeke vpon occa-sion.
964: _
965:
Tyta.
Thou art as wise, as thou art beautifull.
966:
Bot.
Not so neither: but if I had wit enough to get
967: out of this wood, I haue enough to serue mine owne
968: turne.
969:
Tyta.
Out of this wood, do not desire to goe,
970: Thou shalt remaine here, whether thou wilt or no.
971: I am a spirit of no common rate:
972: The Summer still doth tend vpon my state,
973: And I doe loue thee; therefore goe with me,
974: Ile giue thee Fairies to attend on thee;
975: And they shall fetch thee Iewels from the deepe,
976: And sing, while thou on pressed flowers dost sleepe:
977: And I will purge thy mortall grossenesse so,
978: That thou shalt like an airie spirit go.
979: [ Enter Pease-blossome, Cobweb, Moth, Mustard-seede,
and foure Fairies]
981:
Fai.
Ready; and I, and I, and I, Where shall we go?
982:
Tita.
Be kinde and curteous to this Gentleman,
983: Hop in his walkes, and gambole in his eies,
984: Feede him with Apricocks, and Dewberries,
985: With purple Grapes, greene Figs, and Mulberries,
986: The honie-bags steale from the humble Bees,
987: And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighes,
988: And light them at the fierie-Glow-wormes eyes,
989: To haue my loue to bed, and to arise:
990: And plucke the wings from painted Butterflies,
991: To fan the Moone-beames from his sleeping eies.
992: Nod to him Elues, and doe him curtesies.
993:
1.Fai.
Haile mortall, haile.
994:
2.Fai.
Haile.
995:
3.Fai.
Haile.
996:
Bot.
I cry your worships mercy hartily; I beseech
997: your worships name.
998:
Cob.
Cobweb.
999:
Bot.
I shall desire you of more acquaintance, good
1000: Master Cobweb: if I cut my finger, I shall make bold
1001: with you.
1002: Your name honest Gentleman?
1003:
Pease.
Pease Blossome.
1004:
Bot.
I pray you commend me to mistresse Squash,
1005: your mother, and to master Peascod your father. Good
1006: master Pease-blossome, I shal desire of you more acquain-tance
1007: to. Your name I beseech you sir?
1008:
Mus.
Mustard-seede.
1009:
Peas.
Pease-blossome.
1010:
Bot.
Good master Mustard seede, I know your pati-ence
1011: well: that same cowardly gyant-like Oxe beefe
1012: hath deuoured many a gentleman of your house. I pro-mise
1013: you, your kindred hath made my eyes water ere
1014: now. I desire you more acquaintance, good Master
1015: Mustard-seede.
1016:
Tita.
Come waite vpon him, lead him to my bower.
1017: The Moone me-thinks, lookes with a watrie eie,
1018: And when she weepes, weepe euerie little flower,
1019: Lamenting some enforced chastitie.
1020: Tye vp my louers tongue, bring him silently. [ Exit.]
1021: [ Enter King of Pharies, solus.]
1022:
Ob.
I wonder if Titania be awak't;
1023: Then what it was that next came in her eye,
1024: Which she must dote on, in extremitie.
1025: [ Enter Pucke.]
1026: Here comes my messenger: how now mad spirit,
1027: What night-rule now about this haunted groue?
1028:
Puck.
My Mistris with a monster is in loue,
1029: Neere to her close and consecrated bower,
1030: While she was in her dull and sleeping hower,
1031: A crew of patches, rude Mechanicals,
1032: That worke for bread vpon Athenian stals,
1033: Were met together to rehearse a Play,
1034: Intended for great Theseus nuptiall day:
1035: The shallowest thick-skin of that barren sort,
1036: Who Piramus presented, in their sport,
1037: Forsooke his Scene, and entred in a brake,
1038: When I did him at this aduantage take,
1039: An Asses nole I fixed on his head.
1040: Anon his Thisbie must be answered,
1041: And forth my Mimmick comes: when they him spie,
1042: As Wilde-geese, that the creeping Fowler eye,
1043: Or russed-pated choughes, many in sort
1044: (Rising and cawing at the guns report)
1045: Seuer themselues, and madly sweepe the skye:
1046: So at his sight, away his fellowes flye,
1047: And at our stampe, here ore and ore one fals;
1048: He murther cries, and helpe from Athens cals.
1049: Their sense thus weake, lost with their feares thus strong,
1050: Made senslesse things begin to do them wrong.
1051: For briars and thornes at their apparell snatch,
1052: Some sleeues, some hats, from yeelders all things catch,
1053: I led them on in this distracted feare,
1054: And left sweete Piramus translated there:
1055: When in that moment (so it came to passe)
1056: Tytania waked, and straightway lou'd an Asse.
1057:
Ob.
This fals out better then I could deuise:
1058: But hast thou yet lacht the Athenians eyes,
1059: With the loue iuyce, as I bid thee doe?
1060:
Rob.
I tooke him sleeping (that is finisht to)
1061: And the Athenian woman by his side,
1062: That when he wak't, of force she must be eyde.
1063: [ Enter Demetrius and Hermia.]
1064:
Ob.
Stand close, this is the same Athenian.
1065:
Rob.
This is the woman, but not this the man.
1066:
Dem.
O why rebuke you him that loues you so?
1067: Lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe.
1068:
Her.
Now I but chide, but I should vse thee worse.
1069: For thou (I feare) hast giuen me cause to curse,
1070: If thou hast slaine Lysander in his sleepe,
1071: Being oreshooes in bloud, plunge in the deepe, and kill
1072: me too:
1073: The Sunne was not so true vnto the day,
1074: As he to me. Would he haue stollen away,
1075: From sleeping Hermia? Ile beleeue as soone
1076: This whole earth may be bord, and that the Moone
1077: May through the Center creepe, and so displease
1078: Her brothers noonetide, with th' Antipodes.
1079: It cannot be but thou hast murdred him,
1080: So should a murtherer looke, so dead, so grim.
1081:
Dem.
So should the murderer looke, and so should I,
1082: Pierst through the heart with your stearne cruelty:
1083: Yet you the murderer lookes as bright as cleare,
1084: As yonder Venus in her glimmering spheare.
1085:
Her.
What's this to my Lysander? where is he?
1086: Ah good Demetrius, wilt thou giue him me?
1087:
Dem.
I'de rather giue his carkasse to my hounds.
1088:
Her.
Out dog, out cur, thou driu'st me past the bounds
1089: Of maidens patience. Hast thou slaine him then?
1090: Henceforth be neuer numbred among men.
1091: Oh, once tell true, euen for my sake,
1092: Durst thou a lookt vpon him, being awake?
1093: And hast thou kill'd him sleeping? O braue tutch:
1094: Could not a worme, an Adder do so much?
1095: An Adder did it: for with doubler tongue
1096: Then thine (thou serpent) neuer Adder stung.
1097:
Dem.
You spend your passion on a mispris'd mood,
1098: I am not guiltie of Lysanders blood:
1099: Nor is he dead for ought that I can tell.
1100:
Her.
I pray thee tell me then that he is well.
1101:
Dem.
And if I could, what should I get therefore?
1102:
Her.
A priuiledge, neuer to see me more;
1103: And from thy hated presence part I: see me no more
1104: Whether he be dead or no. [ Exit.]
1105:
Dem.
There is no following her in this fierce vaine,
1106: Here therefore for a while I will remaine.
1107: So sorrowes heauinesse doth heauier grow:
1108: For debt that bankrout slip doth sorrow owe,
1109: Which now in some slight measure it will pay,
1110: If for his tender here I make some stay. [ Lie downe.]
1111:
Ob.
What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite
1112: And laid the loue iuyce on some true loues sight:
1113: Of thy misprision, must perforce ensue
1114: Some true loue turn'd, and not a false turn'd true.
1115:
Rob.
Then fate ore-rules, that one man holding troth,
1116: A million faile, confounding oath on oath.
1117:
Ob.
About the wood, goe swifter then the winde,
1118: And Helena of Athens looke thou finde.
1119: All fancy sicke she is, and pale of cheere,
1120: With sighes of loue, that costs the fresh bloud deare.
1121: By some illusion see thou bring her heere,
1122: Ile charme his eyes against she doth appeare.
1123:
Robin.
I go, I go, looke how I goe,
1124: Swifter then arrow from the Tartars bowe. [ Exit.]
1125:
Ob.
Flower of this purple die,
1126: Hit with Cupids archery,
1127: Sinke in apple of his eye,
1128: When his loue he doth espie,
1129: Let her shine as gloriously
1130: As the Venus of the sky.
1131: When thou wak'st if she be by,
1132: Beg of her for remedy.
1133: [ Enter Pucke.]
1134:
Puck.
Captaine of our Fairy band,
1135: Helena is heere at hand,
1136: And the youth, mistooke by me,
1137: Pleading for a Louers fee.
1138: Shall we their fond Pageant see?
1139: Lord, what fooles these mortals be!
1140:
Ob.
Stand aside: the noyse they make,
1141: Will cause Demetrius to awake.
1142:
Puck.
Then will two at once wooe one,
1143: That must needs be sport alone:
1144: And those things doe best please me,
1145: That befall preposterously.
1146: [ Enter Lysander and Helena.]
1147:
Lys.
Why should you think y I should wooe in scorn?
1148: Scorne and derision neuer comes in teares:
1149: Looke when I vow I weepe; and vowes so borne,
1150: In their natiuity all truth appeares.
1151: How can these things in me, seeme scorne to you?
1152: Bearing the badge of faith to proue them true.
1153:
Hel.
You doe aduance your cunning more & more,
1154: When truth kils truth, O diuelish holy fray!
1155: These vowes are Hermias. Will you giue her ore?
1156: Weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh.
1157: Your vowes to her, and me, (put in two scales)
1158: Will euen weigh, and both as light as tales.
1159:
Lys.
I had no iudgement, when to her I swore.
1160:
Hel.
Nor none in my minde, now you giue her ore.
1161:
Lys
Demetrius loues her, and he loues not you. [ Awa.]
1162:
Dem.
O Helen, goddesse, nimph, perfect, diuine,
1163: To what, my loue, shall I compare thine eyne!
1164: Christall is muddy, O how ripe in show,
1165: Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!
1166: That pure congealed white, high Taurus snow,
1167: Fan'd with the Easterne winde, turnes to a crow,
1168: When thou holdst vp thy hand. O let me kisse
1169: This Princesse of pure white, this seale of blisse.
1170:
Hell.
O spight! O hell! I see you are all bent
1171: To set against me, for your merriment:
1172: If you were ciuill, and knew curtesie,
1173: You would not doe me thus much iniury.
1174: Can you not hate me, as I know you doe,
1175: But you must ioyne in soules to mocke me to?
1176: If you are men, as men you are in show,
1177: You would not vse a gentle Lady so;
1178: To vow, and sweare, and superpraise my parts,
1179: When I am sure you hate me with your hearts.
1180: You both are Riuals, and loue Hermia;
1181: And now both Riuals to mocke Helena.
1182: A trim exploit, a manly enterprize,
1183: To coniure teares vp in a poore maids eyes,
1184: With your derision; none of noble sort,
1185: Would so offend a Virgin, and extort
1186: A poore soules patience, all to make you sport,
1187:
Lysa.
You are vnkind Demetrius; be not so,
1188: For you loue Hermia; this you know I know;
1189: And here with all good will, with all my heart,
1190: In Hermias loue I yeeld you vp my part;
1191: And yours of Helena, To me bequeath,
1192: Whom I do loue, and will do to my death.
1193:
Hel.
Neuer did mockers wast more idle breth.
1194:
Dem.
Lysander, keep thy Hermia, I will none:
1195: If ere I lou'd her, all that loue is gone.
1196: My heart to her, but as guest-wise soiourn'd,
1197: And now to Helen it is home return'd,
1198: There to remaine.
1199:
Lys.
It is not so.
1200:
De.
Disparage not the faith thou dost not know,
1201: Lest to thy perill thou abide it deare.
1202: Looke where thy Loue comes, yonder is thy deare.
1203: [ Enter Hermia.]
1204:
Her.
Dark night, that from the eye his function takes,
1205: The eare more quicke of apprehension makes,
1206: Wherein it doth impaire the seeing sense,
1207: It paies the hearing double recompence.
1208: Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander found,
1209: Mine eare (I thanke it) brought me to that sound.
1210: But why vnkindly didst thou leaue me so?
1211:
Lysan.
Why should hee stay whom Loue doth presse to go?
1212:
Her.
What loue could presse Lysander from my side?
1213:
Lys.
Lysanders loue (that would not let him bide)
1214: Faire Helena; who more engilds the night,
1215: Then all yon fierie oes, and eies of light.
1216: Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know,
1217: The hate I bare thee, made me leaue thee so?
1218:
Her.
You speake not as you thinke; it cannot be.
1219:
Hel.
Loe, she is one of this confederacy,
1220: Now I perceiue they haue conioyn'd all three,
1221: To fashion this false sport in spight of me.
1222: Iniurous Hermia, most vngratefull maid,
1223: Haue you conspir'd, haue you with these contriu'd
1224: To baite me, with this foule derision?
1225: Is all the counsell that we two haue shar'd,
1226: The sisters vowes, the houres that we haue spent,
1227: When wee haue chid the hasty footed time,
1228: For parting vs; O, is all forgot?
1229: All schooledaies friendship, child-hood innocence?
1230: We Hermia, like two Artificiall gods,
1231: Haue with our needles, created both one flower,
1232: Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
1233: Both warbling of one song, both in one key:
1234: As if our hands, our sides, voices, and mindes
1235: Had beene incorporate. So we grew together,
1236: Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
1237: But yet a vnion in partition,
1238: Two louely berries molded on one stem,
1239: So with two seeming bodies, but one heart,
1240: Two of the first life coats in Heraldry,
1241: Due but to one and crowned with one crest.
1242: And will you rent our ancient loue asunder,
1243: To ioyne with men in scorning your poore friend?
1244: It is not friendly, 'tis not maidenly.
1245: Our sexe as well as I, may chide you for it,
1246: Though I alone doe feele the iniurie.
1247:
Her.
I am amazed at your passionate words,
1248: I scorne you not; It seemes that you scorne me.
1249:
Hel.
Haue you not set Lysander, as in scorne
1250: To follow me, and praise my eies and face?
1251: And made your other loue, Demetrius
1252: (Who euen but now did spurne me with his foote)
1253: To call me goddesse, nimph, diuine, and rare,
1254: Precious, celestiall? Wherefore speakes he this
1255: To her he hates? and wherefore doth Lysander
1256: Denie your loue (so rich within his soule)
1257: And tender me (forsooth) affection,
1258: But by your setting on, by your consent?
1259: What though I be not so in grace as you,
1260: So hung vpon with loue, so fortunate?
1261: (But miserable most, to loue vnlou'd)
1262: This you should pittie, rather then despise.
1263:
Her.
I vnderstand not what you meane by this.
1264:
Hel.
I, doe, perseuer, counterfeit sad lookes,
1265: Make mouthes vpon me when I turne my backe,
1266: Winke each at other, hold the sweete iest vp:
1267: This sport well carried, shall be chronicled.
1268: If you haue any pittie, grace, or manners,
1269: You would not make me such an argument:
1270: But fare ye well, 'tis partly mine owne fault,
1271: Which death or absence soone shall remedie.
1272:
Lys.
Stay gentle Helena, heare my excuse,
1273: My loue, my life, my soule, faire Helena.
1274:
Hel.
O excellent!
1275:
Her.
Sweete, do not scorne her so.
1276:
Dem.
If she cannot entreate, I can compell.
1277:
Lys.
Thou canst compell, no more then she entreate.
1278: Thy threats haue no more strength then her weak praise.
1279: Helen, I loue thee, by my life I doe;
1280: I sweare by that which I will lose for thee,
1281: To proue him false, that saies I loue thee not.
1282:
Dem.
I say, I loue thee more then he can do.
1283:
Lys.
If thou say so, with-draw and proue it too.
1284:
Dem.
Quick, come.
1285:
Her.
Lysander, whereto tends all this?
1286:
Lys.
Away, you Ethiope.
1287:
Dem.
No, no, Sir, seeme to breake loose;
1288: Take on as you would follow,
1289: But yet come not: you are a tame man, go.
1290:
Lys.
Hang off thou cat, thou bur; vile thing let loose,
1291: Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent.
1292:
Her.
Why are you growne so rude?
1293: What change is this sweete Loue?
1294:
Lys.
Thy loue? out tawny Tartar, out;
1295: Out loathed medicine; O hated poison hence.
1296:
Her.
Do you not iest?
1297:
Hel.
Yes sooth, and so do you.
1298:
Lys.
Demetrius: I will keepe my word with thee.
1299:
Dem.
I would I had your bond: for I perceiue
1300: A weake bond holds you; Ile not trust your word.
1301:
Lys.
What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?
1302: Although I hate her, Ile not harme her so.
1303:
Her.
What, can you do me greater harme then hate?
1304: Hate me, wherefore? O me, what newes my Loue?
1305: Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander?
1306: I am as faire now, as I was ere while.
1307: Since night you lou'd me: yet since night you left me.
1308: Why then you left me (O the gods forbid)
1309: In earnest, shall I say?
1310:
Lys.
I, by my life;
1311: And neuer did desire to see thee more.
1312: Therefore be out of hope, of question, of doubt;
1313: Be certaine, nothing truer: 'tis no iest,
1314: That I do hate thee, and loue Helena.
1315:
Her.
O me, you iugler, you canker blossome,
1316: You theefe of loue; What, haue you come by night,
1317: And stolne my loues heart from him?
1318:
Hel.
Fine yfaith:
1319: Haue you no modesty, no maiden shame,
1320: No touch of bashfulnesse? What, will you teare
1321: Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?
1322: Fie, fie, you counterfeit, you puppet, you.
1323:
Her.
Puppet? why so? I, that way goes the game.
1324: Now I perceiue that she hath made compare
1325: Betweene our statures, she hath vrg'd her height,
1326: And with her personage, her tall personage,
1327: Her height (forsooth) she hath preuail'd with him.
1328: And are you growne so high in his esteeme,
1329: Because I am so dwarfish, and so low?
1330: How low am I, thou painted May-pole? Speake,
1331: How low am I? I am not yet so low,
1332: But that my nailes can reach vnto thine eyes.
1333:
Hel.
I pray you though you mocke me, gentlemen,
1334: Let her not hurt me; I was neuer curst:
1335: I haue no gift at all in shrewishnesse;
1336: I am a right maide for my cowardize;
1337: Let her not strike me: you perhaps may thinke,
1338: Because she is something lower then my selfe,
1339: That I can match her.
1340:
Her.
Lower? harke againe.
1341:
Hel.
Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me,
1342: I euermore did loue you Hermia,
1343: Did euer keepe your counsels, neuer wronged you,
1344: Saue that in loue vnto Demetrius,
1345: I told him of your stealth vnto this wood.
1346: He followed you, for loue I followed him,
1347: But he hath chid me hence, and threatned me
1348: To strike me, spurne me, nay to kill me too;
1349: And now, so you will let me quiet go,
1350: To Athens will I beare my folly backe,
1351: And follow you no further. Let me go.
1352: You see how simple, and how fond I am.
1353:
Her.
Why get you gone: who ist that hinders you?
1354:
Hel.
A foolish heart, that I leaue here behinde.
1355:
Her.
What, with Lysander?
1356:
Her.
With Demetrius.
1357:
Lys.
Be not afraid, she shall not harme thee Helena.
1358:
Dem.
No sir, she shall not, though you take her part.
1359:
Hel.
O when she's angry, she is keene and shrewd,
1360: She was a vixen when she went to schoole,
1361: And though she be but little, she is fierce.
1362:
Her.
Little againe? Nothing but low and little?
1363: Why will you suffer her to flout me thus?
1364: Let me come to her.
1365:
Lys.
Get you gone you dwarfe,
1366: You minimus, of hindring knot-grasse made,
1367: You bead, you acorne.
1368:
Dem.
You are too officious,
1369: In her behalfe that scornes your seruices.
1370: Let her alone, speake not of Helena,
1371: Take not her part. For if thou dost intend
1372: Neuer so little shew of loue to her,
1373: Thou shalt abide it.
1374:
Lys.
Now she holds me not,
1375: Now follow if thou dar'st, to try whose right,
1376: Of thine or mine is most in Helena.
1377:
Dem.
Follow? Nay, Ile goe with thee cheeke by
1378: iowle. [ Exit Lysander and Demetrius.]
1379:
Her.
You Mistris, all this coyle is long of you.
1380: Nay, goe not backe.
1381:
Hel.
I will not trust you I,
1382: Nor longer stay in your curst companie.
1383: Your hands then mine, are quicker for a fray,
1384: My legs are longer though to runne away.
1385: [ Enter Oberon and Pucke.]
1386:
Ob.
This is thy negligence, still thou mistak'st,
1387: Or else committ'st thy knaueries willingly.
1388:
Puck.
Beleeue me, King of shadowes, I mistooke,
1389: Did not you tell me, I should know the man,
1390: By the Athenian garments he hath on?
1391: And so farre blamelesse proues my enterprize,
1392: That I haue nointed an Athenians eies,
1393: And so farre am I glad, it so did sort,
1394: As this their iangling I esteeme a sport.
1395:
Ob.
Thou seest these Louers seeke a place to fight,
1396: Hie therefore Robin, ouercast the night,
1397: The starrie Welkin couer thou anon,
1398: With drooping fogge as blacke as Acheron,
1399: And lead these testie Riuals so astray,
1400: As one come not within anothers way.
1401: Like to Lysander, sometime frame thy tongue,
1402: Then stirre Demetrius vp with bitter wrong;
1403: And sometime raile thou like Demetrius;
1404: And from each other looke thou leade them thus,
1405: Till ore their browes, death-counterfeiting, sleepe
1406: With leaden legs, and Battie-wings doth creepe:
1407: Then crush this hearbe into Lysanders eie,
1408: Whose liquor hath this vertuous propertie,
1409: To take from thence all error, with his might,
1410: and make his eie-bals role with wonted sight.
1411: When they next wake, all this derision
1412: Shall seeme a dreame, and fruitless vision,
1413: And backe to Athens shall the Louers wend
1414: With league, whose date till death shall neuer end.
1415: Whiles I in this affaire do thee imploy,
1416: Ile to my Queene, and beg her Indian Boy;
1417: And then I will her charmed eie release
1418: From monsters view, and all things shall be peace.
1419:
Puck.
My Fairie Lord, this must be done with haste,
1420: For night-swift Dragons cut the Clouds full fast,
1421: And yonder shines Auroras harbinger;
1422: At whose approach Ghosts wandring here and there,
1423: Troope home to Church-yards; damned spirits all,
1424: That in crosse-waies and flouds haue buriall,
1425: Alreadie to their wormie beds are gone;
1426: For feare least day should looke their shames vpon,
1427: They wilfully themselues exile from light,
1428: And must for aye consort with blacke browd night.
1429:
Ob.
But we are spirits of another sort:
1430: I, with the mornings loue haue oft made sport,
1431: And like a Forrester, the groues may tread,
1432: Euen till the Easterne gate all fierie red,
1433: Opening on Neptune, With faire blessed beames,
1434: Turnes into yellow gold, his salt greene streames.
1435: But not withstanding haste, make no delay:
1436: We may effect this businesse, yet ere day.
1437:
Puck.
Vp and downe, vp and downe, I will leade
1438: them vp and downe: I am fear'd in field and towne.
1439: Goblin, lead them vp and downe: here comes one.
1440: [ Enter Lysander.]
1441:
Lys.
Where art thou, proud Demetrius?
1442: Speake thou now.
1443:
Rob.
Here villaine, drawne & readie. Where art thou?
1444:
Lys.
I will be with thee straight.
1445:
Rob.
Follow me then to plainer ground.
1446: [ Enter Demetrius.]
1447:
Dem.
Lysander, speake againe;
1448: Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled?
1449: Speake in some bush: Where dost thou hide thy head?
1450:
Rob.
Thou coward, art thou bragging to the stars,
1451: Telling the bushes that thou look'st for wars,
1452: And wilt not come? Come recreant, come thou childe,
1453: Ile whip thee with a rod. He is defil'd
1454: That drawes a sword on thee.
1455:
Dem.
Yea, art thou there?
1456:
Ro
Follow my voice, we'l try no manhood here. [ Exit.]
1457:
Lys.
He goes before me, and still dares me on,
1458: When I come where he cals, then he's gone.
1459: The Villaine is much lighter heel'd then I:
1460: I followed fast, but faster he did flye; [ shifting places.]
1461: That fallen am I in darke vneuen way,
1462: And here wil rest me. Come thou gentle day: [ lye down.]
1463: For if but once thou shew me thy gray light,
1464: Ile finde Demetrius, and reuenge this spight.
1465: [ Enter Robin and Demetrius.]
1466:
Rob.
Ho, ho, ho; coward, why com'st thou not?
1467:
Dem.
Abide me, if thou dar'st. For well I wot,
1468: Thou runst before me, shifting euery place,
1469: And dar'st not stand, nor looke me in the face.
1470: Where art thou?
1471:
Rob.
Come hither, I am here.
1472:
Dem.
Nay then thou mock'st me; thou shalt buy this
1473: deere,
1474: If euer I thy face by day-light see.
1475: Now goe thy way: faintnesse constraineth me,
1476: To measure out my length on this cold bed,
1477: By daies approach looke to be visited.
1478: [ Enter Helena.]
1479:
Hel.
O weary night, O long and tedious night,
1480: Abate thy houres, shine comforts from the East,
1481: That I may backe to Athens by day-light,
1482: From these that my poore companie detest;
1483: And sleepe that sometime shuts vp sorrowes eie,
1484: Steale me a while from mine owne companie. [ Sleepe.]
1485:
Rob.
Yet but three? Come one more,
1486: Two of both kindes makes vp foure.
1487: Here she comes, curst and sad,
1488: Cupid is a knauish lad,
1489: [ Enter Hermia.]
1490: Thus to make poore females mad.
1491:
Her.
Neuer so wearie, neuer so in woe,
1492: Bedabbled with the dew, and torne with briars,
1493: I can no further crawle, no further goe;
1494: My legs can keepe no pace with my desires.
1495: Here will I rest me till the breake of day,
1496: Heauens shield Lysander, if they meane a fray.
1497:
Rob.
On the ground sleepe sound,
1498: Ile apply your eie gentle louer, remedy.
1499: When thou wak'st, thou tak'st
1500: True delight in the sight of thy former Ladies eye,
1501: And the Country Prouerb knowne,
1502: That euery man should take his owne,
1503: In your waking shall be showne.
1504: Iacke shall haue Iill, nought shall goe ill.
1505: The man shall haue his Mare againe, and all shall bee
1506: well.
1507: [ They sleepe all the Act.]