A Midsummer Night's Dream

HERMIA I would58 my father looked but with my eyes.

THESEUS Rather your eyes must with his judgement look.

HERMIA I do entreat your grace to pardon me.

I know not by what power I am made bold,

Nor how it may concern62 my modesty

In such a presence63 here to plead my thoughts:

But I beseech your grace that I may know

The worst that may befall me in this case,

If I refuse to wed Demetrius.

THESEUS Either to die the death67 or to abjure

Forever the society68 of men.

Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires,

Know of your youth, examine well your blood70,

Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice,

You can endure the livery72 of a nun,

For aye to be in shady cloister mewed73,

To live a barren sister all your life,

Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon.

Thrice blessed they that master so their blood,

To undergo such maiden pilgrimage.

But earthlier happy is the rose distilled78

Than that which withering on the virgin thorn

Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness80.

HERMIA So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord,

Ere I will yield my virgin patent82 up

Unto his lordship83, whose unwished yoke

My soul consents not to give sovereignty.

THESEUS Take time to pause, and by the next new moon --

The sealing day86 betwixt my love and me,

For everlasting bond of fellowship --