A Midsummer Night's Dream

This man hath bewitched the bosom of my child.--

Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,

And interchanged love-tokens with my child.

Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung,

With feigning32 voice verses of feigning love,

And stol'n the impression of her fantasy33

With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gauds, conceits34,

Knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats35 -- messengers

Of strong prevailment in unhardened36 youth --

With cunning hast thou filched37 my daughter's heart,

Turned her obedience, which is due to me,

To stubborn harshness.-- And, my gracious duke,

Be it so40 she will not here before your grace

Consent to marry with Demetrius,

I beg the ancient privilege of Athens:

As she is mine, I may dispose of her;

Which shall be either to this gentleman

Or to her death, according to our law

Immediately46 provided in that case.

THESEUS What say you, Hermia? Be advised, fair maid,

To you your father should be as a god,

One that composed 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 disfigure52 it.

Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.

HERMIA So is Lysander.

THESEUS In himself he is.

But in this kind, wanting your father's voice56,

The other must be held the worthier.