A Midsummer Night's Dream

The villain is much lighter-heeled than I:

I followed fast, but faster he did fly;

That fallen am I in dark uneven way,

And here will rest me. Come, thou gentle day!

Lie down

For if but once thou show me thy grey light,

I'll find Demetrius and revenge this spite436.

He sleeps

Enter Robin and Demetrius, shifting places

ROBIN Ho, ho, ho! Coward, why com'st thou not?

DEMETRIUS Abide me, if thou dar'st, for well I wot438

Thou runn'st before me, shifting every place,

And dar'st not stand, nor look me in the face.

Where art thou now?

ROBIN Come hither. I am here.

DEMETRIUS Nay then, thou mock'st me. Thou shalt buy443 this dear If ever I thy face by daylight see.

Now, go thy way: faintness constraineth445 me To measure out my length on this cold bed.

By day's approach look to be visited.

Lies down and sleeps

Enter Helena

HELENA O weary night, O long and tedious night,

Abate449 thy hours! Shine comforts from the east, That I may back to Athens by daylight,

From these that my poor company detest;

And sleep, that sometime shuts up sorrow's eye,

Steal me awhile from mine own company.

Sleep

ROBIN Yet but three? Come one more,

Two of both kinds make up four.

Here she comes, curst and sad.

Cupid is a knavish lad,