Page 21 - No Fear A Midsummer Night's Dream

No Fear Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream (by SparkNotes) -21-
Original Text
For I must now to Oberon.
Exit ROBIN Enter DEMETRIUS and HELENA, running
HELENA
Stay, though thou kill me, sweet Demetrius.
DEMETRIUS
I charge thee, hence, and do not haunt me thus.
HELENA
O, wilt thou darkling leave me? Do not so.
Modern Text
ROBIN exits. DEMETRIUS and HELENA enter, running.
HELENA
Stop, Demetrius! Stop, even if only to kill me.
DEMETRIUS
I’m telling you, get out of here, and don’t follow me around like this.
HELENA
Oh, will you leave me alone in the dark? Don’t.
DEMETRIUS
Stay here at your own risk. I’m going on alone.
DEMETRIUS exits.
HELENA
Oh, I’m out of breath from this foolish chase. The more I pray, the less I get out of it. Hermia is lucky, wherever she is, because she has beautiful eyes. How did her eyes get so bright? Not from crying. If that’s the case, tears wash my eyes more than hers. No, no, I’m as ugly as a bear, since animals that see me run away in terror. So it’s no surprise that Demetrius runs away from me as if I were a monster. What evil and deceitful mirror made me think I could rival Hermia’s starry eyes? (she sees LYSANDER)But who’s this here? Lysander, on the ground? Is he dead or sleeping? I don’t see any blood or injuries— Lysander, if you’re alive, wake up.
LYSANDER
(waking up) I’d even run through fire if you told me to. Radiant, beautiful Helena! I feel like Mother Nature has allowed me to see into your heart, as if by magic. Where is Demetrius? Oh, I’d kill that name with my sword if I could!
HELENA
Don’t say that, Lysander. Don’t say that. Why do you care that he loves Hermia? What does it matter? Hermia still loves you, so be happy.
LYSANDER
Happy with Hermia? No. I regret all the boring time I wasted with her. I don’t love Hermia; I love Helena. Who wouldn’t love a dove more than a crow? A man’s desires are influenced by his logical mind, and it’s simply logical that you’re more worthy of love than Hermia is.
Act 2, Scene 2, Page 5
DEMETRIUS
60 Stay, on thy peril. I alone will go.
HELENA
Exit DEMETRIUS
Oh, I am out of breath in this fond chase. The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace. Happy is Hermia, wheresoe'er she lies,
For she hath blessèd and attractive eyes.
65 How came her eyes so bright? Not with salt tears. If so, my eyes are oftener washed than hers. No,no,Iamasuglyasabear,
For beasts that meet me run away for fear. Therefore no marvel though Demetrius
70 Do, as a monster, fly my presence thus.
What wicked and dissembling glass of mine
Made me compare with Hermia’s sphery eyne? (sees LYSANDER)But who is here? Lysander, on the ground?
75 Dead or asleep? I see no blood, no wound.— Lysander, if you live, good sir, awake.
LYSANDER
(waking) And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake. Transparent Helena! Nature shows art
That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart. Where is Demetrius? Oh, how fit a word
80 Is that vile name to perish on my sword!
HELENA
Do not say so, Lysander. Say not so.
What though he love your Hermia? Lord, what though?
Yet Hermia still loves you. Then be content.
LYSANDER
Content with Hermia? No. I do repent
85 The tedious minutes I with her have spent.
Not Hermia but Helena I love.
Who will not change a raven for a dove? The will of man is by his reason swayed, And reason says you are the worthier maid.