A Midsummer Night's Dream

And by that fire which burned the Carthage queen176,

When the false Troyan177 under sail was seen,

By all the vows that ever men have broke,

In number more than ever women spoke,

In that same place thou hast appointed me,

Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee.

LYSANDER Keep promise, love. Look, here comes Helena.

Enter Helena

HERMIA God speed fair183 Helena, whither away?

HELENA Call you me fair? That fair again unsay.

Demetrius loves your fair: O happy185 fair!

Your eyes are lodestars, and your tongue's sweet air186

More tuneable187 than lark to shepherd's ear

When wheat is green188, when hawthorn buds appear.

Sickness is catching: O, were favour189 so,

Your words I catch190, fair Hermia, ere I go,

My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye,

My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody.

Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated193,

The rest I'll give to be to you translated194.

O, teach me how you look, and with what art

You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart.

HERMIA I frown upon him, yet he loves me still.

HELENA O, that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!

HERMIA I give him curses, yet he gives me love.

HELENA O, that my prayers could such affection move200!

HERMIA The more I hate, the more he follows me.

HELENA The more I love, the more he hateth me.

HERMIA His folly, Helena, is none203 of mine.

HELENA None, but your beauty: would that fault were mine!