Lys. What, fhould I hurt her, ftrike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, I'll not harm her fo. Her. What greater harm can you do me than hate? Hate me? wherefore? o me! what news, my love? Am not I Hermia? are not you Lyfander? I am as fair now as I was ere-while. Since night, you lov'd me; yet, fince night, you left me: In earnest, shall I say? Lyf. Ay, by my life, And never did defire to fee thee more. Therefore be out of hope, of question, doubt; That I do hate thee, and love Helena. Her. O me! you jugler, o, you canker-blossom, You thief of love! what, have you come by night, And ftol'n my love's heart from him? Hel. Fine, i' faith! Have you no modefty, no maiden fhame, No touch of bafhfulness? what, will you tear Her. Puppet! why fo? ay, that way goes the game. But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes. Hel. I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen, I have no gift at all in fhrewishness; P 2 Let Let her not ftrike me. You, perhaps, may think, Her. Lower! hark, again. Hel. Good Hermia, do not be fo bitter with me; Did ever keep your counfels, never wrong'd you, I told him of your stealth into the wood: Her. Why, get you gone; who is't that hinders you? Hel. With Demetrius. Lyf. Be not afraid; she will not harm thee, Helena. She was a vixen when fhe went to school; And though she be but little, she is fierce. Her. Little again? nothing but low, and little? Why will you fuffer her to flout me thus? Let me come to her. Lyf. Get you gone, you dwarf, You minim, you, of hind'ring knot-grass made, Dem. You are too officious In her behalf that scorns your fervices. Let her alone; fpeak not of Helena; Take not her part: for, if thou doft intend Thou fhalt aby it. Lyf. Lyf. Now fhe holds me not; Now follow, if thou dar'ft, to try whose right Of thine or mine is moft in Helena. Dem. Follow? nay, I'll go with thee cheek by jowl. [Exe. Lyfander and Demetrius. Her. You, mistress, all this coil is long of you: Nay, go not back. Hel. I will not truft you, I; Nor longer stay in your curft company. Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray; My legs are longer though to run away. Her. I am amaz'd, and know not what to fay. [Exeunt. Ob. This is thy negligence: ftill thou mistak'st, Or elfe committ'ft thy knaveries willingly. tell you me, Puck. Believe me, king of shadows, I mistook. As this their jangling I efteem a fport. Ob. Thou feeft, thefe lovers feek a place to fight; The starry welkin cover thou anon 'Till o'er their brows death-counterfeiting fleep With league, whose date 'till death shall never end. I'll to my queen, and beg her Indian boy; From monster's view, and all things shall be peace. At whose approach, ghosts, wandring here and there, For fear left day should look their fhames upon, I with the morning-light have oft made sport ; Puck. Up and down then, up and down, [Exit Oberon. Enter Enter Lyfander. Lys. Where art thou, proud Demetrius? speak thou now. Puck. Here, villain, drawn and ready. Where art thou? Lyf. I will be with thee straight. Puck. Follow me then To plainer ground. Enter Demetrius. Dem. Lyfander, speak again; Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled? Speak in some bush, where thou doft hide thy head. Telling the bushes that thou look'ft for wars, And wilt not come? come, recreant, come, thou child, That draws a fword on thee. Dem. Yea, art thou there? Puck. Follow my voice; we'll try no manhood here. [Exe. Lyf. He goes before me, and still dares me on; When I come where he calls me, then he's The villain is much lighter-heel'd than I: I follow'd faft, but fafter he did fly; That fall'n am I in dark uneven way, gone. And here will rest me. Come, thou gentle day: [Lyes down. For if but once thou fhew me thy gray light, I'll find Demetrius, and revenge this fpite. Enter Puck and Demetrius. Puck. Ho, ho, ho, coward, why then com❜st thou not ? Thou runn'st before me, fhifting every place, And dar'ft not ftand, nor look me in the face. Where art thou? Puck. Come thou hither; I am here. Dem. Nay, then thou mock'ft me; thou shalt buy this dear, If |