LYSANDER Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vile thing, let loose264, Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent!
HERMIA Why are you grown so rude266?
What change is this, sweet love?
LYSANDER Thy love? Out, tawny Tartar268, out!
Out, loathed medicine269! O hated potion, hence!
HERMIA Do you not jest?
HELENA Yes, sooth271, and so do you.
LYSANDER Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee.
DEMETRIUS I would I had your bond, for I perceive A weak bond274 holds you; I'll not trust your word.
LYSANDER What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?
Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so.
HERMIA What, can you do me greater harm than hate?
Hate me? Wherefore? O me! What news, my love?
Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander?
I am as fair now as I was erewhile280.
Since night you loved me; yet since night you left me.
Why, then you left me -- O, the gods forbid! --
In earnest, shall I say?
LYSANDER Ay, by my life;
And never did desire to see thee more.
Therefore be out of286 hope, of question, of doubt; Be certain, nothing truer: 'tis no jest
That I do hate thee and love Helena.
HERMIA O me! You juggler, you canker-blossom289,
To Helena
You thief of love! What, have you come by night
And stolen my love's heart from him?
HELENA Fine, i'faith!
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame,
No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear
Impatient295 answers from my gentle tongue?