Helenaof
Athenslooke thou finde.
Tartarsbowe.
Cupidsarchery,
Venusof the sky.
Helenais heere at hand,
Demetriusto awake.
tI should wooe in scorn?
Hermias. Will you giue her ore?
)
Demetriusloues her, and he loues not you.
Taurussnow,
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Vp and downe, vp and downe, I will leade
them vp and downe: I am fear'd in field and towne.
Goblin, lead them vp and downe: here comes one.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="2">
<head type="supplied">[Act 3, Scene 2]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter King of Pharies, solus.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="983">I wonder if<hi rend="italic">Titania</hi>be awak't;</l>
<l n="984">Then what it was that next came in her eye,</l>
<l n="985">Which she must dote on, in extremitie.</l>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Pucke.</stage>
<l n="986">Here comes my messenger: how now mad spirit,</l>
<l n="987">What night‑rule now about this gaunted groue?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Puck.</speaker>
<l n="988">My Mistris with a monster is in loue,</l>
<l n="989">Neere to her close and consecrated bower,</l>
<l n="990">While she was in her dull and sleeping hower,</l>
<l n="991">A crew of patches, rude<choice>
<orig>Mcehanicals</orig>
<corr>Mechanicals</corr>
</choice>,</l>
<l n="992">That worke for bread vpon<hi rend="italic">Athenian</hi>stals,</l>
<l n="993">Were met together to rehearse a Play,</l>
<l n="994">Intended for great<hi rend="italic">Theseus</hi>nuptiall day:</l>
<l n="995">The shallowest thick‑skin of that barren sort,</l>
<l n="996">Who<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>presented, in their sport,</l>
<l n="997">Forsooke his Scene, and entred in a brake,</l>
<l n="998">When I did him at this aduantage take,</l>
<l n="999">An Asses nole I fixed on his head.</l>
<l n="1000">Anon his<hi rend="italic">Thisbie</hi>must be answered,</l>
<l n="1001">And forth my Mimmick comes: when they him spie,</l>
<l n="1002">As Wilde‑geese, that the creeping Fowler eye,</l>
<l n="1003">Or russed‑pated choughes, many in sort</l>
<l n="1004">(Rising and cawing at the guns report)</l>
<l n="1005">Seuer themselues, and madly sweepe the skye:</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1006">So at his sight, away his fellowes flye,</l>
<l n="1007">And at our stampe, here ore and ore one fals;</l>
<l n="1008">He murther cries, and helpe from<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>cals.</l>
<l n="1009">Their sense thus weake, lost with their fears thus strong,</l>
<l n="1010">Made senselesse things begin to do them wrong.</l>
<l n="1011">For briars and thornes at their apparell snatch,</l>
<l n="1012">Some sleeues, some hats, from yeelders all things catch,</l>
<l n="1013">I led them on in this distracted feare,</l>
<l n="1014">And left sweete<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>translated there:</l>
<l n="1015">When in that moment (so it came to passe)</l>
<l n="1016">
<hi rend="italic">Tytania</hi>waked, and straightway lou'd an Asse.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1017">This fals out better then I could deuise:</l>
<l n="1018">But hast thou yet lacht the<hi rend="italic">Athenians</hi>eyes,</l>
<l n="1019">With the loue iuyce, as I did bid thee doe?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1020">I tooke him sleeping (that is finisht to)</l>
<l n="1021">And the<hi rend="italic">Athenian</hi>woman by his side,</l>
<l n="1022">That when he wak't, of force she must be eyde.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Demetrius and Hermia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1023">Stand close, this is the same<hi rend="italic">Athenian</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1024">This is the woman, but not this the man.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1025">O why rebuke you him that loues you so?</l>
<l n="1026">Lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1027">Now I but chide, but I should vse thee worse.</l>
<l n="1028">For thou (I feare) hast giuen me cause to curse,</l>
<l n="1029">If thou hast slaine<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>in his sleepe,</l>
<l n="1030">Being ore shooes in bloud, plunge in the deepe, and kill
<lb/>me too:</l>
<l n="1031">The Sunne was not so true vnto the day,</l>
<l n="1032">As he to me. Would he haue stollen away,</l>
<l n="1033">From sleeping<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>? Ile beleeue as soone</l>
<l n="1034">This whole earth may be bord, and that the Moone</l>
<l n="1035">May through the Center creepe, and so displease</l>
<l n="1036">Her brothers noonetide, with th'<hi rend="italic">Antipodes</hi>.</l>
<l n="1037">It cannot be but thou hast murdred him,</l>
<l n="1038">So should a mutrherer looke, so dead, so grim.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1039">So should the murderer looke, and so should I,</l>
<l n="1040">Pierst through the heart with your stearne cruelty:</l>
<l n="1041">Yet you the murderer looks as bright as cleare,</l>
<l n="1042">As yonder<hi rend="italic">Venus</hi>in her glimmering spheare.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1043">What's this to my<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>? where is he<hi rend="italic">?</hi>
</l>
<l n="1044">Ah good<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>, wilt thou giue him me?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1045">I'de rather giue his carkasse to my hounds.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1046">Out dog, out cur, thou driu'st me past the bounds</l>
<l n="1047">Of maidens patience. Hast thou slaine him then?</l>
<l n="1048">Henceforth be neuer numbred among men.</l>
<l n="1049">Oh, once tell true, euen for my sake,</l>
<l n="1050">Durst thou a lookt vpon him, being awake?</l>
<l n="1051">And hast thou kill'd him sleeping? O braue tutch:</l>
<l n="1052">Could not a worme, an Adder do so much?</l>
<l n="1053">An Adder did it: for with doubler tongue</l>
<l n="1054">Then thine (thou serpent) neuer Adder stung.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1055">You spend your passion on a<choice>
<orig>mispri'sd</orig>
<corr>mispris'd</corr>
</choice>mood,</l>
<l n="1056">I am not guiltie of<hi rend="italic">Lysanders</hi>blood:</l>
<l n="1057">Nor is he dead for ought that I can tell.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1058">I pray thee tell me then that he is well.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1059">And if I could, what should I get therefore?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1060">A priuiledge, neuer to see me more;</l>
<l n="1061">And from thy hated presence part I: see me no more</l>
<l n="1062">Whether he be dead or no.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1063">There is no following her in this fierce vaine,</l>
<l n="1064">Here therefore for a while I will remaine.</l>
<l n="1065">So sorrowes heauinesse doth heauier grow:</l>
<l n="1066">For debt that bankrout slip doth sorrow owe,</l>
<l n="1067">Which now in some slight measure it will pay,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0174-0.jpg" n="154"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1068">If for his tender here I make some stay.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Lie downe.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1069">What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite</l>
<l n="1070">And laid the loue iuyce on some true loues sight:</l>
<l n="1071">Of thy misprision, must perforce ensue</l>
<l n="1072">Some true loue turn'd, and not a false turn'd true.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1073">Then fate ore‑rules, that one man holding troth,</l>
<l n="1074">A million faile, confounding oath on oath.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1075">About the wood, goe swifter then the winde,</l>
<l n="1076">And<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>of<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>looke thou finde.</l>
<l n="1077">All fancy sicke she is, and pale of cheere,</l>
<l n="1078">With sighes of loue, that costs the fresh bloud deare.</l>
<l n="1079">By some illusion see thou bring her heere,</l>
<l n="1080">Ile charme his eyes against she doth appeare.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Robin.</speaker>
<l n="1081">I go, I go, looke how I goe,</l>
<l n="1082">Swifter then arrow from the<hi rend="italic">Tartars</hi>bowe.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1083">Flower of this purple die,</l>
<l n="1084">Hit with<hi rend="italic">Cupids</hi>archery,</l>
<l n="1085">Sinke in apple of his eye,</l>
<l n="1086">When his loue he doth espie,</l>
<l n="1087">Let her shine as gloriously</l>
<l n="1088">As the<hi rend="italic">Venus</hi>of the sky.</l>
<l n="1089">When thou wak'st if she be by,</l>
<l n="1090">Beg of her for remedy.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Pucke.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Puck.</speaker>
<l n="1091">Captaine of our Fairy band,</l>
<l n="1092">
<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>is heere at hand,</l>
<l n="1093">And the youth, mistooke by me,</l>
<l n="1094">Pleading for a Louers fee.</l>
<l n="1095">Shall we their fond Pageant see?</l>
<l n="1096">Lord, what fooles these mortals be!</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1097">Stand aside: the noyse they make,</l>
<l n="1098">Will cause<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>to awake.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Puck.</speaker>
<l n="1099">Then will two at once wooe one,</l>
<l n="1100">That must needs be sport alone:</l>
<l n="1101">And those things doe best please me,</l>
<l n="1102">That befall preposterously.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lysander and Helena.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1103">Why should you think y<hi rend="superscript">t</hi>I should wooe in scorn?</l>
<l n="1104">Scorne and derision neuer comes in teares:</l>
<l n="1105">Looke when I vow I weepe; and vowes so borne,</l>
<l n="1106">In their natiuity all truth appeares.</l>
<l n="1107">How can these things in me, seeme scorne to you?</l>
<l n="1108">Bearing the badge of faith to proue them true.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1109">You doe aduance your cunning more & more,</l>
<l n="1110">When truth kils truth, O diuelish holy fray!</l>
<l n="1111">These vowes are<hi rend="italic">Hermias</hi>. Will you giue her ore?</l>
<l n="1112">Weigh oath with oath, and you will nothing weigh.</l>
<l n="1113">Your vowes to her, and me, (put in two scales<hi rend="italic">)</hi>
</l>
<l n="1114">Will euen weigh, and both as light as tales.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1115">I had no iudgement, when to her I swore.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1116">Nor none in my minde, now you giue her ore.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1117">
<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>loues her, and he loues not you.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Awa.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1118">O Helen, goddesse, nimph, perfect, diuine,</l>
<l n="1119">To what my, loue, shall I compare thine eyne!</l>
<l n="1120">Christall is muddy, O how ripe in show,</l>
<l n="1121">Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!</l>
<l n="1122">That pure congealed white, high<hi rend="italic">Taurus</hi>snow,</l>
<l n="1123">Fan'd with the Easterne winde, turnes to a crow,</l>
<l n="1124">When thou holdst vp thy hand. O let me kisse</l>
<l n="1125">This Princesse of pure white, this seale of blisse.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hell.</speaker>
<l n="1126">O spight! O hell! I see you are all bent</l>
<l n="1127">To set against me, for your merriment:</l>
<l n="1128">If you were ciuill, and knew curtesie,</l>
<l n="1129">You would not doe me thus much iniury.</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1130">Can you not hate me, as I know you doe,</l>
<l n="1131">But you must ioyne in soules to mocke me to?</l>
<l n="1132">If you are men, as men you are in show,</l>
<l n="1133">You would not vse a gentle Lady so;</l>
<l n="1134">To vow, and sweare, and superpraise my parts,</l>
<l n="1135">When I am sure you hate me with your hearts.</l>
<l n="1136">You both are Riuals, and loue<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>;</l>
<l n="1137">And now both Riuals to mocke<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>.</l>
<l n="1138">A trim exploit, a manly enterprize,</l>
<l n="1139">To coniure teares vp in a poore maids eyes,</l>
<l n="1140">With your derision; none of noble sort,</l>
<l n="1141">Would so offend a Virgin, and extort</l>
<l n="1142">A poore soules patience, all to make you sport.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lysa.</speaker>
<l n="1143">You are vnkind<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>; be not so,</l>
<l n="1144">For you loue<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>; this you know I know;</l>
<l n="1145">And here with all good will, with all my heart,</l>
<l n="1146">In<hi rend="italic">Hermias</hi>loue I yeeld you vp my part;</l>
<l n="1147">And yours of<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>, to me bequeath,</l>
<l n="1148">Whom I do loue, and will do to my death.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1149">Neuer did mockers wast more idle breth.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1150">
<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, keep thy<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>, I will none:</l>
<l n="1151">If ere I lou'd her, all that loue is gone.</l>
<l n="1152">My heart to her, but as guest‑wise soiourn'd,</l>
<l n="1153">And now to<hi rend="italic">Helen</hi>it is home return'd,</l>
<l n="1154">There to remaine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1155">It is not so.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">De.</speaker>
<l n="1156">Disparage not the faith thou dost not know,</l>
<l n="1157">Lest to thy perill thou abide it deare.</l>
<l n="1158">Looke where thy Loue comes, yonder is thy deare.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Hermia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1159">Dark night, that from the eye his function takes,</l>
<l n="1160">The eare more quicke of apprehension makes,</l>
<l n="1161">Wherein it doth impaire the seeing sense,</l>
<l n="1162">It paies the hearing double recompence.</l>
<l n="1163">Thou art not by mine eye,<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>found,</l>
<l n="1164">Mine eare (I thanke it) brought me to that sound.</l>
<l n="1165">But why vnkindly didst thou leaue me so?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lysan.</speaker>
<l n="1166">Why should hee stay whom Loue doth presse
<lb rend="turnover"/>
<pc rend="turnover">(</pc>to go?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1167">What loue could presse<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>from my side?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1168">
<hi rend="italic">Lysanders</hi>loue (that would not let him bide)</l>
<l n="1169">Faire<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>; who more engilds the night,</l>
<l n="1170">Then all yon fierie oes, and eies of light.</l>
<l n="1171">Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know,</l>
<l n="1172">The hate I bare thee, made me leaue thee so?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1173">You speake not as you thinke; it cannot be.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1174">Loe, she is one of this confederacy,</l>
<l n="1175">Now I perceiue they haue conioyn'd all three,</l>
<l n="1176">To fashion this false sport in spight of me.</l>
<l n="1177">Iniurous Hermia, most vngratefull maid,</l>
<l n="1178">Haue you conspir'd, haue you with these contriu'd</l>
<l n="1179">To baite me, with this foule derision?</l>
<l n="1180">Is all the counsell that we two haue shar'd,</l>
<l n="1181">The sisters vowes, the houres that we haue spent,</l>
<l n="1182">When wee haue chid the hasty footed time,</l>
<l n="1183">For parting vs; O, is all forgot?</l>
<l n="1184">All schooledaies friendship, child‑hood innocence?</l>
<l n="1185">We Hermia, like two Artificiall gods,</l>
<l n="1186">Haue with our needles, created both one flower,</l>
<l n="1187">Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,</l>
<l n="1188">Both warbling of one song, both in one key;</l>
<l n="1189">As if our hands, our sides, voices, and mindes</l>
<l n="1190">Had beene incorporate. So we grew together,</l>
<l n="1191">Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,</l>
<l n="1192">But yet a vnion in partition,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0175-0.jpg" n="155"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1193">Two louely berries molded on one stem,</l>
<l n="1194">So with two seeming bodies, but one heart,</l>
<l n="1195">Two of the first life coats in Heraldry,</l>
<l n="1196">Due but to one and crowned with one crest.</l>
<l n="1197">And will you rent our ancient loue asunder,</l>
<l n="1198">To ioyne with men in scorning your poore friend?</l>
<l n="1199">It is not friendly, 'tis not maidenly.</l>
<l n="1200">Our sexe as well as I, may chide you for it,</l>
<l n="1201">Though I alone doe feele the iniurie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1202">I am amazed at your passionate words,</l>
<l n="1203">I scorne you not; It seemes that you scorne me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1204">Haue you not set<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, as in scorne</l>
<l n="1205">To follow me, and praise my eies and face?</l>
<l n="1206">And made your other loue,<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>
</l>
<l n="1207">(Who euen but now did spurne me with his foote)</l>
<l n="1208">To call me goddesse, nimph, diuine, and rare,</l>
<l n="1209">Precious, celestiall? Wherefore speakes he this</l>
<l n="1210">To her he hates? And wherefore doth<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>
</l>
<l n="1211">Denie your loue (so rich within his soule)</l>
<l n="1212">And tender me (forsooth<hi rend="italic">)</hi>affection,</l>
<l n="1213">But by your setting on, by your consent?</l>
<l n="1214">What though I be not so in grace as you,</l>
<l n="1215">So hung vpon with loue, so fortunate?</l>
<l n="1216">(But miserable most, to loue vnlou'd)</l>
<l n="1217">This you should pittie, rather then despise.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1218">I vnderstand not what you meane by this.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1219">I, doe, perseuer, counterfeit sad lookes,</l>
<l n="1220">Make mouthes vpon me when I turne my backe,</l>
<l n="1221">Winke each at other, hold the sweete iest vp:</l>
<l n="1222">This sport well carried, shall be chronicled.</l>
<l n="1223">If you haue any pittie, grace, or manners,</l>
<l n="1224">You would not make me such an argument:</l>
<l n="1225">But fare ye well, 'tis partly mine owne fault,</l>
<l n="1226">Which death or absence soone shall remedie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1227">Stay gentle<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>, heare my excuse,</l>
<l n="1228">My loue, my life, my soule, faire<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1229">O excellent!</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1230">Sweete, do not scorne her so.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1231">If she cannot entreate, I can compell.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1232">Thou canst compell, no more then she entreate.</l>
<l n="1233">Thy threats haue no more strength then her weak praise.</l>
<l n="1234">
<hi rend="italic">Helen</hi>, I loue thee, by my life I doe;</l>
<l n="1235">I sweare by that which I will lose for thee,</l>
<l n="1236">To proue him false, that saies I loue thee not.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1237">I say, I loue thee more then he can do.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1238">If thou say so, with‑draw and proue it too.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1239">Quick, come.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1240">
<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, whereto tends all this?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1241">Away, you<hi rend="italic">Ethiope</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1242">No, no, Sir, seeme to breake loose;</l>
<l n="1243">Take on as you would follow,</l>
<l n="1244">But yet come not: you are a tame man, go.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1245">Hang off thou cat, thou bur; vile thing let loose,</l>
<l n="1246">Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1247">Why are you growne so rude?</l>
<l n="1248">What change is this sweete Loue?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1249">Thy loue? out tawny<hi rend="italic">Tartar</hi>, out;</l>
<l n="1250">Out loathed medicine; O hated poison hence.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1251">Do you not iest?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1252">Yes sooth, and so do you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1253">
<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>: I will keepe my word with thee.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1254">I would I had your bond: for I perceiue</l>
<l n="1255">A weake bond holds you; Ile not trust your word.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1256">What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?</l>
<l n="1257">Although I hate her, Ile not harme her so.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1258">What, can you do me greater harme then hate?</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1259">Hate me, wherefore? O me, what newes my Loue?</l>
<l n="1260">Am not I<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>? Are not you<hi rend="italic">Lysander?</hi>
</l>
<l n="1261">I am as faire now, as I was ere while.</l>
<l n="1262">Since night you lou'd me: yet since night you left me.</l>
<l n="1263">Why then you left me (O the gods forbid</l>
<l n="1264">In earnest, shall I say?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1265">I, by my life;</l>
<l n="1266">And neuer did desire to see thee more.</l>
<l n="1267">Therefore be out of hope, of question, of doubt;</l>
<l n="1268">Be certaine, nothing truer: 'tis no iest,</l>
<l n="1269">That I doe hate thee, and loue<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1270">O me, you iugler, you canker blossome,</l>
<l n="1271">You theefe of loue; What, haue you come by night,</l>
<l n="1272">And stolne my loues heart from him?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1273">Fine yfaith:</l>
<l n="1274">Haue you no modesty, no maiden shame,</l>
<l n="1275">No touch of bashfulnesse? What, will you teare</l>
<l n="1276">Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?</l>
<l n="1277">Fie, fie, you counterfeit, you puppet, you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1278">Puppet? why so? I, that way goes the game.</l>
<l n="1279">Now I perceiue that she hath made compare</l>
<l n="1280">Betweene our statures, she hath vrg'd her height,</l>
<l n="1281">And with her personage, her tall personage,</l>
<l n="1282">Her height (forsooth) she hath preuail'd with him.</l>
<l n="1283">And are you growne so high in his esteeme,</l>
<l n="1284">Because I am so dwarfish, and so low?</l>
<l n="1285">How low am I, thou painted May‑pole? Speake,</l>
<l n="1286">How low am I? I am not yet so low,</l>
<l n="1287">But that my nailes can reach vnto thine eyes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1288">I pray you though you mocke me, gentlemen,</l>
<l n="1289">Let her not hurt me; I was neuer curst:</l>
<l n="1290">I haue no gift at all in shrewishnesse;</l>
<l n="1291">I am a right maide for my cowardize;</l>
<l n="1292">Let her not strike me: you perhaps may thinke,</l>
<l n="1293">Because she is something lower then my selfe,</l>
<l n="1294">That I can match her.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1295">Lower? harke againe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1296">Good<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>, do not be so bitter with me,</l>
<l n="1297">I euermore did loue you<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>,</l>
<l n="1298">Did euer keepe your counsels, neuer wronged you,</l>
<l n="1299">Saue that in loue vnto<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>,</l>
<l n="1300">I told him of your stealth vnto this wood.</l>
<l n="1301">He followed you, for loue I followed him,</l>
<l n="1302">But he hath chid me hence, and threatned me</l>
<l n="1303">To strike me, spurne me, nay to kill me too;</l>
<l n="1304">And now, so you will let me quiet go,</l>
<l n="1305">To<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>will I beare my folly backe,</l>
<l n="1306">And follow you no further. Let me go.</l>
<l n="1307">You see how simple, and how fond I am.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1308">Why get you gone: who ist that hinders you?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1309">A foolish heart, that I leaue here behinde.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1310">What, with<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1311">With<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1312">Be not afraid, she shall not harme thee<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1313">No sir, she shall not, though you take her part.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1314">O when she's angry, she is keene and shrewd,</l>
<l n="1315">She was a vixen when she went to schoole,</l>
<l n="1316">And though she be but little, she is fierce.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1317">Little againe? Nothing but low and little?</l>
<l n="1318">Why will you suffer her to flout me thus?</l>
<l n="1319">Let me come to her.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1320">Get you gone you dwarfe,</l>
<l n="1321">You<hi rend="italic">minimus</hi>, of hindring knot‑grasse made,</l>
<l n="1322">You bead, you acorne.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1323">You are too officious,</l>
<l n="1324">In her behalfe that scornes your seruices.</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0176-0.jpg" n="156"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1325">Let her alone, speake not of<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>,</l>
<l n="1326">Take not her part. For if thou dost intend</l>
<l n="1327">Neuer so little shew of loue to her,</l>
<l n="1328">Thou shalt abide it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1329">Now she holds me not,</l>
<l n="1330">Now follow if thou dar'st, to try whose right,</l>
<l n="1331">Of thine or mine is most in<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1332">Follow? Nay, Ile goe with thee cheeke by
<lb/>iowle.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Lysander and Demetrius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1333">You Mistris, all this coyle is long of you.</l>
<l n="1334">Nay, goe not backe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1335">I will not trust you I,</l>
<l n="1336">Nor longer stay in your curst companie.</l>
<l n="1337">Your hands then mine, are quicker for a fray,</l>
<l n="1338">My legs are longer though to runne away.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Oberon and Pucke.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1339">This is thy negligence, still thou mistak'st,</l>
<l n="1340">Or else committ'st thy knaueries willingly.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Puck.</speaker>
<l n="1341">Beleeue me, King of shadowes, I mistooke,</l>
<l n="1342">Did not you tell me, I should know the man,</l>
<l n="1343">By the<hi rend="italic">Athenian</hi>garments he hath on?</l>
<l n="1344">And so farre blamelesse proues my enterprize,</l>
<l n="1345">That I haue nointed an Athenians eies,</l>
<l n="1346">And so farre am I glad, it so did sort,</l>
<l n="1347">As this their iangling I esteeme a sport.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1348">Thou seest these Louers seeke a place to fight,</l>
<l n="1349">Hie therefore<hi rend="italic">Robin</hi>, ouercast the night,</l>
<l n="1350">The starrie Welkin couer thou anon,</l>
<l n="1351">With drooping fogge as blacke as<hi rend="italic">Acheron</hi>,</l>
<l n="1352">And lead these testie Riuals so astray,</l>
<l n="1353">As one come not within anothers way.</l>
<l n="1354">Like to<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, sometime frame thy tongue,</l>
<l n="1355">Then stirre<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>vp with bitter wrong;</l>
<l n="1356">And sometime raile thou like<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>;</l>
<l n="1357">And from each other looke thou leade them thus,</l>
<l n="1358">Till ore their browes, death‑counterfeiting, sleepe</l>
<l n="1359">With leaden legs, and Battie‑wings doth creepe:</l>
<l n="1360">Then crush this hearbe into<hi rend="italic">Lysanders</hi>eie,</l>
<l n="1361">Whose liquor hath this vertuous propertie,</l>
<l n="1362">To take from thence all error, with his might,</l>
<l n="1363">And make his eie‑bals role with wonted sight.</l>
<l n="1364">When they next wake, all this derision</l>
<l n="1365">Shall seeme a dreame, and fruitlesse vision,</l>
<l n="1366">And backe to<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>shall the Louers wend</l>
<l n="1367">With league, whose date till death shall neuer end.</l>
<l n="1368">Whiles I in this affaire do thee imply,</l>
<l n="1369">Ile to my Queene, and beg her<hi rend="italic">Indian</hi>Boy;</l>
<l n="1370">And then I will her charmed eie release</l>
<l n="1371">From monsters view, and all things shall be peace.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Puck.</speaker>
<l n="1372">My Fairie Lord, this must be done with haste,</l>
<l n="1373">For night‑swift Dragons cut the Clouds full fast,</l>
<l n="1374">And yonder shines<hi rend="italic">Auroras</hi>harbinger;</l>
<l n="1375">At whose approach Ghosts wandring here and there,</l>
<l n="1376">Troope home to Church‑yards; damned spirits all,</l>
<l n="1377">That in crosse‑waies and flouds haue buriall,</l>
<l n="1378">Alreadie to their wormie beds are gone;</l>
<l n="1379">For feare least day should looke their shames vpon,</l>
<l n="1380">They wilfully themselues dxile from light,</l>
<l n="1381">And must for aye consort with blacke browd night.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
<speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
<l n="1382">But we are spirits of another sort:</l>
<l n="1383">I, with the mornings loue haue oft made sport,</l>
<l n="1384">And like a Forrester, the groues may tread,</l>
<l n="1385">Euen till the Easterne gate all fierie red,</l>
<l n="1386">Opening on<hi rend="italic">Neptune</hi>, with faire blessed beames,</l>
<l n="1387">Turnes into yellow gold, his salt greene streames.</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="1388">But notwithstanding haste, make no delay:</l>
<l n="1389">We may effect this businesse, yet ere day.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Puck.</speaker>
<p n="1390">Vp and downe, vp and downe, I will leade
<lb n="1391"/>them vp and downe: I am fear'd in field and towne.
<lb n="1392"/>
<hi rend="italic">Goblin</hi>, lead them vp and downe: here comes one.</p>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lysander.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1393">Where art thou, proud<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>?</l>
<l n="1394">Speake thou now.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1395">Here villaine, drawne & readie. Where art thou?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1396">I will be with thee straight.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1397">Follow me then to plainer ground.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Demetrius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1398">
<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, speake againe;</l>
<l n="1399">Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled?</l>
<l n="1400">Speake in some bush: Where dost thou hide thy head?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1401">Thou coward, art thou bragging to the stars,</l>
<l n="1402">Telling the bushes that thou look'st for wars,</l>
<l n="1403">And wilt not come? Come recreant, come thou childe,</l>
<l n="1404">Ile whip thee with a rod. He is defil'd</l>
<l n="1405">That drawes a sword on thee.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1406">Yea, art thou there?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Ro.</speaker>
<l n="1407">Follow my voice, we'l try no manhood here.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="1408">He goes before me, and still dares me on,</l>
<l n="1409">When I come where he cals, then he's gone.</l>
<l n="1410">The villaine is much lighter heel'd then I:</l>
<l n="1411">I followed fast, but faster he did flye;</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">shifting places.</stage>
<l n="1412">That fallen am I in darke vneuen way,</l>
<l n="1413">And here wil rest me. Come thou gentle day:</l>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">lye down.</stage>
<l n="1414">For if but once thou shew me thy gray light,</l>
<l n="1415">Ile finde<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>, and reuenge this spight.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Robin and Demetrius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1416">Ho, ho, ho; coward, why com'st thou not?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1417">Abide me, if thou dar'st. For well I wot,</l>
<l n="1418">Thou runst before me, shifting euery place,</l>
<l n="1419">And dar'st not stand, nor looke me in the face.</l>
<l n="1420">Where art thou?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1421">Come hither, I am here.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="1422">Nay then thou mock'st me; thou shalt buy this
<lb/>deere,</l>
<l n="1423">If euer I thy face by day‑light see.</l>
<l n="1424">Now goe thy way: faintnesse constraineth me,</l>
<l n="1425">To measure out my length on this cold bed,</l>
<l n="1426">By daies approach looke to be visited.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Helena.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="1427">O weary night, O long and tedious night,</l>
<l n="1428">Abate thy houres, shine comforts from the East,</l>
<l n="1429">That I may backe to Athens by day‑light,</l>
<l n="1430">From these that my poore companie detest;</l>
<l n="1431">And sleepe that sometime shuts vp sorrowes eie,</l>
<l n="1432">Steale me a while from mine owne companie.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Sleepe.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1433">Yet but three? Come one more,</l>
<l n="1434">Two of both kindes makes vp foure.</l>
<l n="1435">Here she comes, curst and sad,</l>
<l n="1436">
<hi rend="italic">Cupid</hi>is a knauish lad,</l>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Hermia.</stage>
<l n="1437">Thus to make poore females mad.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="1438">Neuer so wearie, neuer so in woe,</l>
<l n="1439">Bedabbled with the dew, and torne with briars,</l>
<l n="1440">I can no further crawle, no further goe;</l>
<l n="1441">My legs can keepe no pace with my desires.</l>
<l n="1442">Here will I rest me till the breake of day,</l>
<l n="1443">Heauens shield<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, if they meane a fray.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
<speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
<l n="1444">On the ground sleepe sound,</l>
<l n="1445">Ile apply your eie gentle louer, remedy.</l>
<l n="1446">When thou wak'st, thou tak'st</l>
<l n="1447">True delight in the sight of thy former Ladies eye,</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0177-0.jpg" n="157"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="1448">And the Country Prouerb knowne,</l>
<l n="1449">That euery man should take his owne,</l>
<l n="1450">In your waking shall be showne.</l>
<l n="1451">
<hi rend="italic">Iacke</hi>shall haue<hi rend="italic">Iill</hi>, nought shall goe ill,</l>
<l n="1452">The man shall haue his Mare againe, and all shall bee
<lb/>well.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">They sleepe all the Act.</stage>
</div>