SCENE, Athens; and a Wood not far from it. Act First. SCENE I.-ATHENS. A ROOM IN THE PALACE OF THESEUS. Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Philostrate, and Attendants. The. Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Draws on apace: four happy days bring in This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires, Like to a step-dame, or a dowager, Long withering out a young man's revenue. Hip. Four days will quickly steep themselves in nights; Four nights will quickly dream away the time; And then the moon, like to a silver bow New bent in heaven, shall behold the night Go, Philostrate, The. The pale companion is not for our pomp. [Exit Philostrate. Hippolyta, I woo'd thee with my sword, With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling. Enter Egeus, Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius. Ege. Happy be Theseus, our renowned duke! The. Thanks, good Egeus: What's the news with thee? To stubborn harshness:-And, my gracious duke, I beg the ancient privilege of Athens; The. What say you, Hermia? be advis'd, fair maid: To you your father should be as a god; One that compos'd your beauties; yea, and one To whom you are but as a form in wax, By him imprinted, and within his power To leave the figure, or disfigure it. Her. So is Lysander. The. In himself he is : But, in this kind, wanting your father's voice, The other must be held the worthier. Her. I would, my father look'd but with my eyes. The. Rather your eyes must with his judgment look. I know not by what power I am made bold; Nor how it may concern my modesty, In such a presence here, to plead my thoughts: The. Either to die the death, or to abjure 1 Trinkets. For ever the society of men. Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires, For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd, Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Her. So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke My soul consents not to give sovereignty. The. Take time to pause; and, by the next new moon, (The sealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting bond of fellowship), Upon that day either prepare to die, For disobedience to your father's will; Or else, to wed Demetrius, as he would: For aye, austerity and single life. Dem. Relent, sweet Hermia;-And, Lysander, yield Thy crazed title to my certain right. Lys. You have her father's love, Demetrius : Let me have Hermia's: do you marry him. Ege. Scornful Lysander! true, he hath my love; And what is mine my love shall render him: I do estate unto Demetrius. Lys. I am, my lord, as well deriv'd as he, And, which is more than all these boasts can be, Why should not I then prosecute my right? Upon this spotted' and inconstant man. The. I must confess, that I have heard so much, My mind did lose it.-But, Demetrius, come; 1 Wicked. Or else the law of Athens yields you up Come, my Hippolyta; What cheer, my love?- I must employ you in some business Of something nearly that concerns yourselves. [Exeunt Thes., Hip., Ege., Dem., and train. Lys. How now, my love? Why is your cheek so pale? How chance the roses there do fade so fast? Her. Belike,1 for want of rain; which I could well Beteem them from the tempest of mine eyes. Lys. Ah me! for aught that ever I could read, The course of true love never did run smooth: So quick bright things come to confusion. Her. If then true lovers have been ever cross'd, It stands as an edict in destiny: Then let us teach our trial patience, Because it is a customary cross; As due to love, as thoughts, and dreams, and sighs, Wishes, and tears, poor fancy's followers. Lys. A good persuasion; therefore, hear me, Hermia. I have a widow aunt, a dowager Of great revenue, and she hath no child : From Athens is her house remote seven leagues; And she respects me as her only son. There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee; There will I stay for thee. Her. My good Lysander! I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow; By his best arrow with the golden head; By the simplicity of Venus' doves; By that which knitteth souls, and prospers loves; 1 Perhaps. 2 Bestów. 3 Momentary. Black. 5 Love's And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen, Lys. Keep promise, love: Look, here comes Helena. Her. God speed fair Helena ! Whither away? Your eyes are lode-stars; and your tongue's sweet air When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear. My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye, O, teach me how you look; and with what art Her. I frown upon him, yet he loves me still. Hel. O, that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill! Hel. O that my prayers could such affection move. Hel. The more I love, the more he hateth me. Her. His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine. Hel. None but your beauty; 'Would that fault were mine! Her. Take comfort; he no more shall see my face, Lysander and myself will fly this place. Before the time I did Lysander see, Seem'd Athens as a paradise to me; O then, what graces in my love do dwell, That he hath turned a heaven into hell! Lys. Helen, to you our minds we will unfold: Her. And in the wood, where often you and I 1 Pole stars. [Exit Herm. |