A Midsommer nights Dreame.Her.So will I grow, so liue, so die my Lord,Ere I will yeeld my virgin Patent vp
[85]
Vnto his Lordship, whose vnwished yoake,My soule consents not to giue soueraignty.The.Take time to pause, and by the next new MoonThe sealing day betwixt my loue and me,For euerlasting bond of fellowship:
[90]
Vpon that day either prepare to dye,For disobedience to your fathers will,Or else to wed
Demetrius as hee would,
Or on
Dianaes Altar to protest
For aie, austerity, and single life.Dem.
[95]
Relent sweet
Hermia, and
Lysander, yeelde
Thy crazed title to my certaine right.Lys.You haue her fathers loue,
Demetrius:
Let me haue
Hermiaes: do you marry him.
Egeus.Scornfull
Lysander, true, he hath my Loue;
[100]
A
nd what is mine, my loue shall render him.
And she is mine, and all my right of her,I do estate vnto
Demetrius.
Lys.I am my Lord, as well deriu'd as he,As well possest: my loue is more then his:
[105]
My fortunes euery way as fairely ranck'd(If not with vantage) as
Demetrius:
And (which is more then all these boasts can be)I am belou'd of beauteous
Hermia.
Why should not I then prosecute my right?
[110]
Demetrius, Ile auouch it to his head,
Made loue to
Nedars daughter,
Helena,
And won her soule: and she (sweet Ladie) dotes,Deuoutly dotes, dotes in Idolatry,Vpon this spotted and inconstant man.The.
[115]
I must confesse, that I haue heard so much,And with
Demetrius thought to haue spoke thereof:
But being ouer‑full of selfe‑affaires,My minde did lose it. But
Demetrius come,
And come
Egeus, you shall go with me,
[120]
I haue some priuate schooling for you both.For you faire
Hermia, looke you arme your selfe,
To fit your fancies to your Fathers will;Or else the Law of Athens yeelds you vp(Which by no meanes we may extenuate)
[125]
To death, or to a vow of single life.Come my
Hippolita, what cheare my loue?
Demetrius and
Egeus go along:
I must imploy you in some businesseAgainst our nuptiall, and conferre with you
[130]
Of something, neerely that concernes your selues.Ege.With dutie and desire we follow you.ExeuntManet Lysander and Hermia.Lys.How now my loue? Why is your cheek so pale?How chance the Roses there do fade so fast?Her.Belike for want of raine, which I could well
[135]
Beteeme them, from the tempest of mine eyes.Lys.For ought that euer I could reade,Could euer heare by tale or historie,The course of true loue neuer did run smooth,But either it was different in blood.Her.
[140]
O crosse! too high to be enthral'd to loue.Lys.Or else misgraffed, in respect of yeares.Her.O spight! too old to be ingag'd to yong.Lys.Or else it stood vpon the choise of merit.Her.O hell! to choose loue by anothers eie.Lys.
[145]
Or if there were a simpathie in choise,Warre, death, or sicknesse, did lay siege to it;Making it momentarie, as a sound:
Swift as a shadow, short as any dreame,Briefe as the lightning in the collied night,
[150]
That (in a spleene) vnfolds both heauen and earth;And ere a man hath power to say, behold,The iawes of darknesse do deuoure it vp:So quicke bright things come to confusion.Her.If then true Louers haue beene euer crost,
[155]
It stands as an edict in destinie:Then let vs teach our triall patience,Because it is a customarie crosse,As due to loue, as thoughts, and dreames, and sighes,Wishes and teares; poore Fancies followers.Lys.
[160]
A good perswasion; therefore heare me
Hermia,
I haue a Widdow Aunt, a dowager,Of great reuennew, and she hath no childe,From Athens is her house remou'd seuen leagues,And she respects me, as her onely sonne:
[165]
There gentle
Hermia, may I marrie thee,
And to that place, the sharpe Athenian LawCannot pursue vs. If thou lou'st me, thenSteale forth thy fathers house to morrow night:And in the wood, a league without the towne,
[170]
(Where I did meete thee once with
Helena,
To do obseruance for a morne of May)There will I stay for thee.Her.My good
Lysander,
I sweare to thee, by Cupids strongest bow,
[175]
By his best arrow with the golden head,By the simplicitie of Venus Doues,By that which knitteth soules, and prospers loue,And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage
Queene,
When the false Troyan vnder saile was seene,
[180]
By all the vowes that euer men haue broke,(In number more then euer women spoke)In that same place thou hast appointed me,To morrow truly will I meete with thee.Lys.Keepe promise loue: looke here comes
Helena.
Enter Helena.Her.
[185]
God speede faire
Helena, whither away?
Hel.Cal you me faire? that faire againe vnsay,Demetrius loues you faire: O happie
faire!
Your eyes are loadstarres, and your tongues sweete ayreMore tuneable then Larke to shepheards eare,
[190]
When wheate is greene, when hauthorne buds appeare,Sicknesse is catching: O were fauor so,Your words I catch, faire
Hermia ere I go,
My eare should catch your voice, my eye, your eye,My tongue should catch your tongues sweete melodie,
[195]
Were the world mine,
Demetrius being bated,
The rest Ile giue to be to you translated.O teach me how you looke, and with what artyou sway the motion of
Demetrius hart.
Her.I frowne vpon him, yet he loues me still.Hel.
[200]
O that your frownes would teach my smiles
such skil.
Her.I giue him curses, yet he giues me loue.Hel.O that my prayers could such affection mooue.Her.The more I hate, the more he followes me.Hel.The more I loue, the more he hateth me.Her.
[205]
His folly Helena is none of mine.Hel.None but your beauty, wold that fault wer mineHer.Take comfort: he no more shall see my face,Lysander and my selfe will flie this place.
Before the time I did
Lysander see,
Actus primus.
[Act 1, Scene 1]
Enter Theseus, Hippolita, with
others.
Theseus.NOw faire Hippolita, our nuptiall
houre
Drawes on apace: foure happy daies bring inAnother Moon: but oh, me thinkes, how slowThis old Moon wanes; She lingers my desires
[5]
Like to a Step‑dame, or a Dowager,Long withering out a yong mans reuennew.Hip.Foure daies wil quickly steep
theēseluesthemselues in nights
Foure nights wil quickly dreame away the time:And then the Moone, like to a siluer bow,
[10]
Now bent in heauen, shal behold the nightOf our solemnities.The.Go
Philostrate,
Stirre vp the Athenian youth to merriments,Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth,
[15]
Turne melancholy forth to Funerals:The pale companion is not for our pompe,Hippolita, I woo'd thee with my sword,And wonne thy loue, doing thee iniuries:But I will wed thee in another key,
[20]
With pompe, with triumph, and with reuelling.Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, Lysander,
and Demetrius.
Ege.Happy be
Theseus, our renowned Duke.
The.Thanks good
Egeus: what's the news with thee?
Ege.Full of vexation, come I, with complaintAgainst my childe, my daughter Hermia.
[25]
Stand forth Dometrius.My Noble Lord,This man hath my consent to marrie her.Stand forth Lysander.And my gracious Duke,
[30]
This man hath bewitch'd the bosome of my childe:Thou, thou
Lysander, thou hast giuen her rimes,
And interchang'd loue‑tokens with my childe:Thou hast by Moone‑light at her window sung,With faining voice, verses of faining loue,
[35]
And stolne the impression of her fantasie,With bracelets of thy haire, rings, gawdes, conceits,Knackes, trifles, Nose‑gaies, sweet meats (messengersOf strong preuailment in vnhardned youth)With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughters heart,
[40]
Turn'd her obedience (which is due to me)To stubborne harshnesse. And my gracious Duke,Be it so she will not heere before your Grace,Consent to marrie with
Demetrius,
I beg the ancient priuiledge of Athens;
[45]
As she is mine, I may dispose of her;Which shall be either to this Gentleman,Or to her death, according to our Law,Immediately prouided in that case.The.What say you Hermia? be aduis'd faire Maide,
[50]
To you your Father should be as a God;One that compos'd your beauties; yea and oneTo whom you are but as a forme in waxeBy him imprinted: and within his power,To leaue the figure, or disfigure it:
[55]
Demetrius is a worthy Gentleman.
Her.So is
Lysander.
The.In himselfe he is.But in this kinde, wanting your fathers voyce.The other must be held the worthier.Her.
[60]
I would my father look'd but with my eyes.The.Rather your eies must with his iudgment looke.Her.I do entreat your Grace to pardon me.I know not by what power I am made bold,Nor how it may concerne my modestie
[65]
In such a presence heere to pleade my thoughts:But I beseech your Grace, that I may knowThe worst that may befall me in this case,If I refuse to wed
Demetrius.
The.Either to dye the death, or to abiure
[70]
For euer the society of men.Therefore faire Hermia question your desires,Know of your youth, examine well your blood,Whether (if you yeeld not to your fathers choice)You can endure the liuerie of a Nunne,
[75]
For aye to be in shady Cloister mew'd,To liue a barren sister all your life,Chanting faint hymnes to the cold fruitlesse Moone,Thrice blessed they that master so their blood,To vndergo such maiden pilgrimage,
[80]
But earthlier happie is the Rose distil'd,Then that which withering on the virgin thorne,Growes, liues, and dies, in single blessednesse.Her.So will I grow, so liue, so die my Lord,Ere I will yeeld my virgin Patent vp
[85]
Vnto his Lordship, whose vnwished yoake,My soule consents not to giue soueraignty.The.Take time to pause, and by the next new MoonThe sealing day betwixt my loue and me,For euerlasting bond of fellowship:
[90]
Vpon that day either prepare to dye,For disobedience to your fathers will,Or else to wed
Demetrius as hee would,
Or on
Dianaes Altar to protest
For aie, austerity, and single life.Dem.
[95]
Relent sweet
Hermia, and
Lysander, yeelde
Thy crazed title to my certaine right.Lys.You haue her fathers loue,
Demetrius:
Let me haue
Hermiaes: do you marry him.
Egeus.Scornfull
Lysander, true, he hath my Loue;
[100]
A
nd what is mine, my loue shall render him.
And she is mine, and all my right of her,I do estate vnto
Demetrius.
Lys.I am my Lord, as well deriu'd as he,As well possest: my loue is more then his:
[105]
My fortunes euery way as fairely ranck'd(If not with vantage) as
Demetrius:
And (which is more then all these boasts can be)I am belou'd of beauteous
Hermia.
Why should not I then prosecute my right?
[110]
Demetrius, Ile auouch it to his head,
Made loue to
Nedars daughter,
Helena,
And won her soule: and she (sweet Ladie) dotes,Deuoutly dotes, dotes in Idolatry,Vpon this spotted and inconstant man.The.
[115]
I must confesse, that I haue heard so much,And with
Demetrius thought to haue spoke thereof:
But being ouer‑full of selfe‑affaires,My minde did lose it. But
Demetrius come,
And come
Egeus, you shall go with me,
[120]
I haue some priuate schooling for you both.For you faire
Hermia, looke you arme your selfe,
To fit your fancies to your Fathers will;Or else the Law of Athens yeelds you vp(Which by no meanes we may extenuate)
[125]
To death, or to a vow of single life.Come my
Hippolita, what cheare my loue?
Demetrius and
Egeus go along:
I must imploy you in some businesseAgainst our nuptiall, and conferre with you
[130]
Of something, neerely that concernes your selues.Ege.With dutie and desire we follow you.ExeuntManet Lysander and Hermia.Lys.How now my loue? Why is your cheek so pale?How chance the Roses there do fade so fast?Her.Belike for want of raine, which I could well
[135]
Beteeme them, from the tempest of mine eyes.Lys.For ought that euer I could reade,Could euer heare by tale or historie,The course of true loue neuer did run smooth,But either it was different in blood.Her.
[140]
O crosse! too high to be enthral'd to loue.Lys.Or else misgraffed, in respect of yeares.Her.O spight! too old to be ingag'd to yong.Lys.Or else it stood vpon the choise of merit.Her.O hell! to choose loue by anothers eie.Lys.
[145]
Or if there were a simpathie in choise,Warre, death, or sicknesse, did lay siege to it;Making it momentarie, as a sound:Swift as a shadow, short as any dreame,Briefe as the lightning in the collied night,
[150]
That (in a spleene) vnfolds both heauen and earth;And ere a man hath power to say, behold,The iawes of darknesse do deuoure it vp:So quicke bright things come to confusion.Her.If then true Louers haue beene euer crost,
[155]
It stands as an edict in destinie:Then let vs teach our triall patience,Because it is a customarie crosse,As due to loue, as thoughts, and dreames, and sighes,Wishes and teares; poore Fancies followers.Lys.
[160]
A good perswasion; therefore heare me
Hermia,
I haue a Widdow Aunt, a dowager,Of great reuennew, and she hath no childe,From Athens is her house remou'd seuen leagues,And she respects me, as her onely sonne:
[165]
There gentle
Hermia, may I marrie thee,
And to that place, the sharpe Athenian LawCannot pursue vs. If thou lou'st me, thenSteale forth thy fathers house to morrow night:And in the wood, a league without the towne,
[170]
(Where I did meete thee once with
Helena,
To do obseruance for a morne of May)There will I stay for thee.Her.My good
Lysander,
I sweare to thee, by Cupids strongest bow,
[175]
By his best arrow with the golden head,By the simplicitie of Venus Doues,By that which knitteth soules, and prospers loue,And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage
Queene,
When the false Troyan vnder saile was seene,
[180]
By all the vowes that euer men haue broke,(In number more then euer women spoke)In that same place thou hast appointed me,To morrow truly will I meete with thee.Lys.Keepe promise loue: looke here comes
Helena.
Enter Helena.Her.
[185]
God speede faire
Helena, whither away?
Hel.Cal you me faire? that faire againe vnsay,Demetrius loues you faire: O happie
faire!
Your eyes are loadstarres, and your tongues sweete ayreMore tuneable then Larke to shepheards eare,
[190]
When wheate is greene, when hauthorne buds appeare,Sicknesse is catching: O were fauor so,Your words I catch, faire
Hermia ere I go,
My eare should catch your voice, my eye, your eye,My tongue should catch your tongues sweete melodie,
[195]
Were the world mine,
Demetrius being bated,
The rest Ile giue to be to you translated.O teach me how you looke, and with what artyou sway the motion of
Demetrius hart.
Her.I frowne vpon him, yet he loues me still.Hel.
[200]
O that your frownes would teach my smiles
such skil.
Her.I giue him curses, yet he giues me loue.Hel.O that my prayers could such affection mooue.Her.The more I hate, the more he followes me.Hel.The more I loue, the more he hateth me.Her.
[205]
His folly Helena is none of mine.Hel.None but your beauty, wold that fault wer mineHer.Take comfort: he no more shall see my face,Lysander and my selfe will flie this place.
Before the time I did
Lysander see,
[210]
Seem'd Athens like a Paradise to mee.O then, what graces in my Loue do dwell,That he hath turn'd a heauen into hell.Lys.Helen, to you our mindes we will vnfold,
To morrow night, when
Phoebe doth behold
[215]
Her siluer visage, in the watry glasse,Decking with liquid pearle, the bladed grasse(A time that Louers flights doth still conceale)Through
Athens gates, haue we deuis'd to steale.
Her.And in the wood, where often you and I,
[220]
Vpon faint Primrose beds, were wont to lye,Emptying our bosomes, of their counsell sweld:There my
Lysander, and my selfe shall meete,
And thence from
Athens turne away our eyes
To seeke new friends and strange companions,
[225]
Farwell sweet play‑fellow, pray thou for vs,And good lucke grant thee thy
Demetrius.
Keepe word
Lysander we must starue our sight,
From louers foode, till morrow deepe midnight.Exit Hermia.Lys.I will my
Hermia.
Helena adieu,
[230]
As you on him,
Demetrius dotes on you.
Exit Lysander.Hele.How happy some, ore othersome can be?Through
Athens I am thought as faire as she.
But what of that?
Demetrius thinkes not so:
He will not know, what all, but he doth know,
[235]
And as hee erres, doting on
Hermias eyes;
So I, admiring of his qualities:Things base and vilde, holding no quantity,Loue can transpose to forme and dignity,Loue lookes not with the eyes, but with the minde,
[240]
And therefore is wing'd
Cupid painted blinde.
Nor hath loues minde of any iudgement taste:Wings and no eyes, figure, vnheedy haste.And therefore is Loue said to be a childe,Because in choise he is often beguil'd,
[245]
As waggish boyes in game themselues forsweare;So the boy Loue is periur'd euery where.For ere
Demetrius lookt on
Hermias eyne,
He hail'd downe oathes that he was onely mine.And when this Haile some heat from
Hermia felt,
[250]
So he dissolu'd, and showres of oathes did melt,I will goe tell him of faire
Hermias flight:
Then to the wood will he, to morrow nightPursue her; and for his intelligence,If I haue thankes, it is a deere expence:
[255]
But heerein meane I to enrich my paine,To haue his sight thither, and backe againe.Exit.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1">
<head rend="italic center">Actus primus.</head>
<head type="supplied">[Act 1, Scene 1]</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Theseus, Hippolita, with others.</stage>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic center">Theseus.</speaker>
<l n="1">
<c rend="decoratedCapital">N</c>Ow faire Hippolita, our nuptiall houre</l>
<l n="2">Drawes on apace: foure happy daies bring in</l>
<l n="3">Another Moon: but oh, me thinkes, how slow</l>
<l n="4">This old Moon wanes; She lingers my desires</l>
<l n="5">Like to a Step‑dame, or a Dowager,</l>
<l n="6">Long withering out a yong mans reuennew.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
<speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
<l n="7">Foure daies wil quickly steep<choice>
<abbr>theēselues</abbr>
<expan>themselues</expan>
</choice>in nights</l>
<l n="8">Foure nights wil quickly dreame away the time:</l>
<l n="9">And then the Moone, like to a siluer bow,</l>
<l n="10">Now bent in heauen, shal behold the night</l>
<l n="11">Of our solemnities.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="12">Go<hi rend="italic">Philostrate</hi>,</l>
<l n="13">Stirre vp the Athenian youth to merriments,</l>
<l n="14">Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth,</l>
<l n="15">Turne melancholy forth to Funerals:</l>
<l n="16">The pale companion is not for our pompe,</l>
<l n="17">Hippolita, I woo'd thee with my sword,</l>
<l n="18">And wonne thy loue, doing thee iniuries:</l>
<l n="19">But I will wed thee in another key,</l>
<l n="20">With pompe, with triumph, and with reuelling.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, Lysander,
<lb/>and Demetrius.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
<speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
<l n="21">Happy be<hi rend="italic">Theseus</hi>, our renowned Duke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="22">Thanks good<hi rend="italic">Egeus</hi>: what's the news with thee?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
<speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
<l n="23">Full of vexation, come I, with complaint</l>
<l n="24">Against my childe, my daughter Hermia.</l>
<l n="25">
<hi rend="italic center">Stand forth Dometrius.</hi>
</l>
<l n="26">My Noble Lord,</l>
<l n="27">This man hath my consent to marrie her.</l>
<l n="28">
<hi rend="italic center">Stand forth Lysander.</hi>
</l>
<l n="29">And my gracious Duke,</l>
<l n="30">This man hath bewitch'd the bosome of my childe:</l>
<l n="31">Thou, thou<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, thou hast giuen her rimes,</l>
<l n="32">And interchang'd loue‑tokens with my childe:</l>
<l n="33">Thou hast by Moone‑light at her window sung,</l>
<l n="34">With faining voice, verses of faining loue,</l>
<l n="35">And stolne the impression of her fantasie,</l>
<l n="36">With bracelets of thy haire, rings, gawdes, conceits,</l>
<l n="37">Knackes, trifles, Nose‑gaies, sweet meats (messengers</l>
<l n="38">Of strong preuailment in vnhardned youth)</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="39">With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughters heart,</l>
<l n="40">Turn'd her obedience (which is due to me)</l>
<l n="41">To stubborne harshnesse. And my gracious Duke,</l>
<l n="42">Be it so she will not heere before your Grace,</l>
<l n="43">Consent to marrie with<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>,</l>
<l n="44">I beg the ancient priuiledge of Athens;</l>
<l n="45">As she is mine, I may dispose of her;</l>
<l n="46">Which shall be either to this Gentleman,</l>
<l n="47">Or to her death, according to our Law,</l>
<l n="48">Immediately prouided in that case.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="49">What say you Hermia? be aduis'd faire Maide,</l>
<l n="50">To you your Father should be as a God;</l>
<l n="51">One that compos'd your beauties; yea and one</l>
<l n="52">To whom you are but as a forme in waxe</l>
<l n="53">By him imprinted: and within his power,</l>
<l n="54">To leaue the figure, or disfigure it:</l>
<l n="55">
<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>is a worthy Gentleman.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="56">So is<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="57">In himselfe he is.</l>
<l n="58">But in this kinde, wanting your fathers voyce.</l>
<l n="59">The other must be held the worthier.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="60">I would my father look'd but with my eyes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="61">Rather your eies must with his iudgment looke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="62">I do entreat your Grace to pardon me.</l>
<l n="63">I know not by what power I am made bold,</l>
<l n="64">Nor how it may concerne my modestie</l>
<l n="65">In such a presence heere to pleade my thoughts:</l>
<l n="66">But I beseech your Grace, that I may know</l>
<l n="67">The worst that may befall me in this case,</l>
<l n="68">If I refuse to wed<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="69">Either to dye the death, or to abiure</l>
<l n="70">For euer the society of men.</l>
<l n="71">Therefore faire Hermia question your desires,</l>
<l n="72">Know of your youth, examine well your blood,</l>
<l n="73">Whether (if you yeeld not to your fathers choice)</l>
<l n="74">You can endure the liuerie of a Nunne,</l>
<l n="75">For aye to be in shady Cloister mew'd,</l>
<l n="76">To liue a barren sister all your life,</l>
<l n="77">Chanting faint hymnes to the cold fruitlesse Moone,</l>
<l n="78">Thrice blessed they that master so their blood,</l>
<l n="79">To vndergo such maiden pilgrimage,</l>
<l n="80">But earthlier happie is the Rose distil'd,</l>
<l n="81">Then that which withering on the virgin thorne,</l>
<l n="82">Growes, liues, and dies, in single blessednesse.</l>
</sp>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0166-0.jpg" n="146"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="83">So will I grow, so liue, so die my Lord,</l>
<l n="84">Ere I will yeeld my virgin Patent vp</l>
<l n="85">Vnto his Lordship, whose vnwished yoake,</l>
<l n="86">My soule consents not to giue soueraignty.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="87">Take time to pause, and by the next new Moon</l>
<l n="88">The sealing day betwixt my loue and me,</l>
<l n="89">For euerlasting bond of fellowship:</l>
<l n="90">Vpon that day either prepare to dye,</l>
<l n="91">For disobedience to your fathers will,</l>
<l n="92">Or else to wed<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>as hee would,</l>
<l n="93">Or on<hi rend="italic">Dianaes</hi>Altar to protest</l>
<l n="94">For aie, austerity, and single life.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
<speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
<l n="95">Relent sweet<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>, and<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, yeelde</l>
<l n="96">Thy crazed title to my certaine right.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="97">You haue her fathers loue,<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>:</l>
<l n="98">Let me haue<hi rend="italic">Hermiaes</hi>: do you marry him.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
<speaker rend="italic">Egeus.</speaker>
<l n="99">Scornfull<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, true, he hath my Loue;</l>
<l n="100">A<c rend="invertedType">n</c>d what is mine, my loue shall render him.</l>
<l n="101">And she is mine, and all my right of her,</l>
<l n="102">I do estate vnto<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="103">I am my Lord, as well deriu'd as he,</l>
<l n="104">As well possest: my loue is more then his:</l>
<l n="105">My fortunes euery way as fairely ranck'd</l>
<l n="106">(If not with vantage) as<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>:</l>
<l n="107">And (which is more then all these boasts can be)</l>
<l n="108">I am belou'd of beauteous<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>.</l>
<l n="109">Why should not I then prosecute my right?</l>
<l n="110">
<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>, Ile auouch it to his head,</l>
<l n="111">Made loue to<hi rend="italic">Nedars</hi>daughter,<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>,</l>
<l n="112">And won her soule: and she (sweet Ladie) dotes,</l>
<l n="113">Deuoutly dotes, dotes in Idolatry,</l>
<l n="114">Vpon this spotted and inconstant man.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
<speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
<l n="115">I must confesse, that I haue heard so much,</l>
<l n="116">And with<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>thought to haue spoke thereof:</l>
<l n="117">But being ouer‑full of selfe‑affaires,</l>
<l n="118">My minde did lose it. But<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>come,</l>
<l n="119">And come<hi rend="italic">Egeus</hi>, you shall go with me,</l>
<l n="120">I haue some priuate schooling for you both.</l>
<l n="121">For you faire<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>, looke you arme your selfe,</l>
<l n="122">To fit your fancies to your Fathers will;</l>
<l n="123">Or else the Law of Athens yeelds you vp</l>
<l n="124">(Which by no meanes we may extenuate)</l>
<l n="125">To death, or to a vow of single life.</l>
<l n="126">Come my<hi rend="italic">Hippolita</hi>, what cheare my loue?</l>
<l n="127">
<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Egeus</hi>go along:</l>
<l n="128">I must imploy you in some businesse</l>
<l n="129">Against our nuptiall, and conferre with you</l>
<l n="130">Of something, neerely that concernes your selues.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
<speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
<l n="131">With dutie and desire we follow you.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt</stage>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Manet Lysander and Hermia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="132">How now my loue? Why is your cheek so pale?</l>
<l n="133">How chance the Roses there do fade so fast?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="134">Belike for want of raine, which I could well</l>
<l n="135">Beteeme them, from the tempest of mine eyes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="136">For ought that euer I could reade,</l>
<l n="137">Could euer heare by tale or historie,</l>
<l n="138">The course of true loue neuer did run smooth,</l>
<l n="139">But either it was different in blood.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="140">O crosse! too high to be enthral'd to loue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="141">Or else misgraffed, in respect of yeares.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="142">O spight! too old to be ingag'd to yong.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="143">Or else it stood vpon the choise of merit.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="144">O hell! to choose loue by anothers eie.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="145">Or if there were a simpathie in choise,</l>
<l n="146">Warre, death, or sicknesse, did lay siege to it;</l>
<l n="147">Making it momentarie, as a sound:</l>
<cb n="2"/>
<l n="148">Swift as a shadow, short as any dreame,</l>
<l n="149">Briefe as the lightning in the collied night,</l>
<l n="150">That (in a spleene) vnfolds both heauen and earth;</l>
<l n="151">And ere a man hath power to say, behold,</l>
<l n="152">The iawes of darknesse do deuoure it vp:</l>
<l n="153">So quicke bright things come to confusion.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="154">If then true Louers haue beene euer crost,</l>
<l n="155">It stands as an edict in destinie:</l>
<l n="156">Then let vs teach our triall patience,</l>
<l n="157">Because it is a customarie crosse,</l>
<l n="158">As due to loue, as thoughts, and dreames, and sighes,</l>
<l n="159">Wishes and teares; poore Fancies followers.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="160">A good perswasion; therefore heare me<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>,</l>
<l n="161">I haue a Widdow Aunt, a dowager,</l>
<l n="162">Of great reuennew, and she hath no childe,</l>
<l n="163">From Athens is her house remou'd seuen leagues,</l>
<l n="164">And she respects me, as her onely sonne:</l>
<l n="165">There gentle<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>, may I marrie thee,</l>
<l n="166">And to that place, the sharpe Athenian Law</l>
<l n="167">Cannot pursue vs. If thou lou'st me, then</l>
<l n="168">Steale forth thy fathers house to morrow night:</l>
<l n="169">And in the wood, a league without the towne,</l>
<l n="170">(Where I did meete thee once with<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>,</l>
<l n="171">To do obseruance for a morne of May)</l>
<l n="172">There will I stay for thee.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="173">My good<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>,</l>
<l n="174">I sweare to thee, by Cupids strongest bow,</l>
<l n="175">By his best arrow with the golden head,</l>
<l n="176">By the simplicitie of Venus Doues,</l>
<l n="177">By that which knitteth soules, and prospers loue,</l>
<l n="178">And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage Queene,</l>
<l n="179">When the false Troyan vnder saile was seene,</l>
<l n="180">By all the vowes that euer men haue broke,</l>
<l n="181">(In number more then euer women spoke)</l>
<l n="182">In that same place thou hast appointed me,</l>
<l n="183">To morrow truly will I meete with thee.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="184">Keepe promise loue: looke here comes<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Helena.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="185">God speede faire<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>, whither away?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="186">Cal you me faire? that faire againe vnsay,</l>
<l n="187">
<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>loues you faire: O happie faire!</l>
<l n="188">Your eyes are loadstarres, and your tongues sweete ayre</l>
<l n="189">More tuneable then Larke to shepheards eare,</l>
<l n="190">When wheate is greene, when hauthorne buds appeare,</l>
<l n="191">Sicknesse is catching: O were fauor so,</l>
<l n="192">Your words I catch, faire<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>ere I go,</l>
<l n="193">My eare should catch your voice, my eye, your eye,</l>
<l n="194">My tongue should catch your tongues sweete melodie,</l>
<l n="195">Were the world mine,<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>being bated,</l>
<l n="196">The rest Ile giue to be to you translated.</l>
<l n="197">O teach me how you looke, and with what art</l>
<l n="198">you sway the motion of<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>hart.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="199">I frowne vpon him, yet he loues me still.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="200">O that your frownes would teach my smiles
<lb/>such skil.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="201">I giue him curses, yet he giues me loue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="202">O that my prayers could such affection mooue.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="203">The more I hate, the more he followes me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="204">The more I loue, the more he hateth me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="205">His folly Helena is none of mine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
<l n="206">None but your beauty, wold that fault wer mine</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="207">Take comfort: he no more shall see my face,</l>
<l n="208">
<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>and my selfe will flie this place.</l>
<l n="209">Before the time I did<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>see,</l>
<l n="210">Seem'd Athens like a Paradise to mee.</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0167-0.jpg" n="147"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="211">O then, what graces in my Loue do dwell,</l>
<l n="212">That he hath turn'd a heauen into hell.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="213">
<hi rend="italic">Helen</hi>, to you our mindes we will vnfold,</l>
<l n="214">To morrow night, when<hi rend="italic">Phoebe</hi>doth behold</l>
<l n="215">Her siluer visage, in the watry glasse,</l>
<l n="216">Decking with liquid pearle, the bladed grasse</l>
<l n="217">(A time that Louers flights doth still conceale)</l>
<l n="218">Through<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>gates, haue we deuis'd to steale.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-mnd-her">
<speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
<l n="219">And in the wood, where often you and I,</l>
<l n="220">Vpon faint Primrose beds, were wont to lye,</l>
<l n="221">Emptying our bosomes, of their counsell sweld:</l>
<l n="222">There my<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, and my selfe shall meete,</l>
<l n="223">And thence from<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>turne away our eyes</l>
<l n="224">To seeke new friends and strange companions,</l>
<l n="225">Farwell sweet play‑fellow, pray thou for vs,</l>
<l n="226">And good lucke grant thee thy<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>.</l>
<l n="227">Keepe word<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>we must starue our sight,</l>
<l n="228">From louers foode, till morrow deepe midnight.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Hermia.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
<speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
<l n="229">I will my<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>.<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>adieu,</l>
<l n="230">As you on him,<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>dotes on you.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Lysander.</stage>
<sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
<speaker rend="italic">Hele.</speaker>
<l n="231">How happy some, ore othersome can be?</l>
<l n="232">Through<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>I am thought as faire as she.</l>
<l n="233">But what of that?<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>thinkes not so:</l>
<l n="234">He will not know, what all, but he doth know,</l>
<l n="235">And as hee erres, doting on<hi rend="italic">Hermias</hi>eyes;</l>
<l n="236">So I, admiring of his qualities:</l>
<l n="237">Things base and vilde, holding no quantity,</l>
<l n="238">Loue can transpose to forme and dignity,</l>
<l n="239">Loue lookes not with the eyes, but with the minde,</l>
<l n="240">And therefore is wing'd<hi rend="italic">Cupid</hi>painted blinde.</l>
<l n="241">Nor hath loues minde of any iudgement taste:</l>
<l n="242">Wings and no eyes, figure, vnheedy haste.</l>
<l n="243">And therefore is Loue said to be a childe,</l>
<l n="244">Because in choise he is often beguil'd,</l>
<l n="245">As waggish boyes in game themselues forsweare;</l>
<l n="246">So the boy Loue is periur'd euery where.</l>
<l n="247">For ere<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>lookt on<hi rend="italic">Hermias</hi>eyne,</l>
<l n="248">He hail'd downe oathes that he was onely mine.</l>
<l n="249">And when this Haile some heat from<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>felt,</l>
<l n="250">So he dissolu'd, and showres of oathes did melt,</l>
<l n="251">I will goe tell him of faire<hi rend="italic">Hermias</hi>flight:</l>
<l n="252">Then to the wood will he, to morrow night</l>
<l n="253">Pursue her; and for his intelligence,</l>
<l n="254">If I haue thankes, it is a deere expence:</l>
<l n="255">But heerein meane I to enrich my paine,</l>
<l n="256">To haue his sight thither, and backe againe.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>
