One that compos'd your beauties; yea, and one The. In himself he is: But, in this kind, wanting your father's voice, Her. I would, my father look'd but with my eyes. I know not by what power I am made bold; In such a presence here, to plead my thoughts: If I refuse to wed Demetrius. The. Either to die the death, or to abjure Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires, Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. But earthlier happy' is the rose distill'd, Her. So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, 2 To leave the figure, or disfigure it.] i. e. you owe to your father a being which he may at pleasure continue or destroy. 3 Know of your youth,] Consider your youth. 4 But earthlier happy -] Perhaps, earlier; or, earthly happy. Ere I will yield my virgin patent up Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke The. Take time to pause; and, by the next new moon (The sealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting bond of fellowship,) 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; Ege. Scornful Lysander! true, he hath my love, Lys. I am, my lord, as well deriv'd as he, If not with vantage, as Demetrius'; And, which is more than all these boasts can be, Why should not I then prosecute my right? 3 Upon this spotted and inconstant man. The. I must confess, that I have heard so much, And with Demetrius thought to have spoke thereof; But, being over-full of self-affairs, My mind did lose it.-But, Demetrius, come; 5 · spotted -] As spotless is innocent, so spotted is wicked. And come, Egeus; you shall go with me, I have some private schooling for you both.-- I must employ you in some business [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, for want of rain: which I could well The course of true love never did run smooth: Her. O cross! too high to be enthrall'd to low! That, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and earth, 6 Beteem them-] Give them, pour out upon them. 7 momentany as a sound,] i. e. momentary. the collied night,] Collied, i. e. black, smutted with coal. And ere a man hath power to say,-Behold! So quick bright things come to confusion. Her. If then true lovers have been ever cross'd, It stands as an edíct or destiny: Then let us teach our trial patience, Because it is a customary cross; As due to love, as thoughts, and dreams, and sighs, 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; 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 knitted souls, and prospers loves; By all the vows that ever men have broke, 9 1 Lys. Keep promise, love: Look, here comes Helena. fancy's followers.] Fancy is love. by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen,] Shakspeare had forgot that Theseus performed his exploits before the Trojan war, and consequently long before the death of Dido. Enter HELENA. Her. God speed fair Helena! Whither away? Your eyes are lode-stars'; and your tongue's sweet air O, teach me how you look; and with what art You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart. Her. I frown upon him, yet he loves me still. Hel. O, that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill! Her. I give him curses, yet he gives me love. Hel. O, that my prayers could such affection move! Hel. None, but your beauty; 'Would that fault were mine! Her. Take comfort; he no more shall see my Lysander and myself will fly this place. face; 2 Demetrius loves your fair :] Fair is used as a substantive. 3 Your eyes are lode-stars ;] This was a compliment not unfrequent among the old poets. The lode-star is the leading or guiding star, that is, the pole-star. 5 O, were favour so!] Favour is feature, countenance. to be to you translated.] To translate, says Mr. Steevens, in our author, sometimes signifies to change, to transform; but here it obviously means transferred. C. VOL. II. U |