Hermia / Helena Scene

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God Speed. Fair Helena, Wither away?

O teach me how you look, and with what art

You sway the motion of Demetrius’ heart.

I frown upon them, yet he loves me still.

O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill!

I give him curses, yet he gives me love.

O that my prayers could such affection move!

The more I hate, the more he follows me.

The more I love, The more he hateth me.

His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine.

None but your beauty. Would that fault were mine!

Take comfort: he no more shall see my face.

Lysander and myself will fly this place.

Before the time I did Lysander see,

Seemed Athens as paradise to me.

O then, what graces in my love do dwell,

That he hath turned a heaven unto a hell!

(A time that lovers’ flight doth still conceal).

Through Athens’ gates have we devised to steal.

And in the wood, where often you and I

Upon faint primrose beds were wont to lie.

—

Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet,

There Lysander and myself shall meet,

And thence from Athens turn away our eyes,

To seek new friends and strange companies.

—

Farewell, sweet playfellow. Pray thou for us,

And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius.

Keep word, Lysander. We must starve our sight

From lovers’ food till morrow, deep midnight.