A Midsummer Night's Dream

What though I be not so in grace233 as you, So hung upon with love, so fortunate,

But miserable most, to love unloved?

This you should pity rather than despise.

HERMIA I understand not what you mean by this.

HELENA Ay, do. Persever, counterfeit sad238 looks, Make mouths239 upon me when I turn my back, Wink each at other, hold the sweet jest up240: This sport well carried241 shall be chronicled.

If you have any pity, grace, or manners,

You would not make me such an argument243.

But fare ye well. 'Tis partly my own fault,

Which death or absence soon shall remedy.

LYSANDER Stay, gentle Helena, hear my excuse:

My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!

HELENA O excellent!

HERMIA Sweet, do not scorn her so.

To Lysander

DEMETRIUS If she cannot entreat, I can compel.

To Lysander

LYSANDER Thou canst compel no more than she entreat.

Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers.

Helen, I love thee, by my life, I do;

I swear by that which I will lose for thee,

To prove him false that says I love thee not.

DEMETRIUS I say I love thee more than he can do.

To Helena

LYSANDER If thou say so, withdraw257, and prove it too.

DEMETRIUS Quick, come!

HERMIA Lysander, whereto259 tends all this?

She hangs on Lysander

LYSANDER Away, you Ethiope260!

DEMETRIUS No, no, sir,

Seem to break loose; take on as262 you would follow, But yet come not: you are a tame man, go!