Act 3, Scene 2

Original Text
180
HERMIA

Dark night, that from the eye his function takes

The ear more quick of apprehension makes.
Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense,
It pays the hearing double recompense.
Thou art, not by mine eye, Lysander found.
185
Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy
sound
But why unkindly didst thou leave me so?
LYSANDER
Why should he stay, whom love doth press to
go?

Modern Day Text

HERMIA
Its hard to see in the dark night, but
hearing is much more easy. My eyes did
not find you Lysander; I heard your voice
and it brought me to you.
But why did you leave me so unkindly?

HERMIA
What love could press Lysander from my side?

HERMIA
What love could cause Lysander to leave
me??
LYSANDER
I hurried to my love the stunning Helena,
who lights up the night more than the stars
of the night. Why are you looking for me?
Dont you know that I left you because of my
hate for you?

LYSANDER
Lysanders love, that would not let him bide,
Fair Helena, who more engilds the night
Than all yon fiery oes and eyes of light.
why seekst thou me? Could not this make thee
know
The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?
HERMIA
You speak not as you think. It cannot be.
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
Now I perceive they have conjoined all three
To fashion this false spot, in spite of me. Injurious Hermia! Most ungrateful mind!
Have you conspired, have you with these
contrived
200
To bait me with this foul derision?
Is all the counsel that we two have shared,
The sisters vows, the hours that we have spent
When we have chid the hasty-footed time
For parting us- oh is it all forgot?
205
All schooldays friendship, childhood
innocence?
We, Hermia, are like two artificial gods,
Have with our needles created both one flower,

LYSANDER
Whats the point of staying, when love is
telling me to go?

HERMIA
Im pretty sure you dont mean what you
think. Thats impossible.
HELENA
So, the (Hermia) is part of this too!
Now I see that all three of you are working
together on this schemez.
Harmful Hermia! Ungrateful girl! Why
have you planned with these men
To cause this horrible scheme?
Have you forgotten all the secrets and
promises we have kept, the vows we made
like we were sisters, the hours we have spent
together
Have you forgotten all of this?
All the schooldays we have spent together,
our childhood innocence?
We sewed a flower with two needles,

Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,

Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
210
As if our sides, voices, and minds,
Had been incorporate. So we grew together,
Like to a double cherry- seeming parted
But yet an union in partitionTwo lovely berries molded on one stem;
215
So, with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crownd with one crest.
And will you rent our ancient love asunder
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
220
It is not friendly, tis not maidenly.
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
HERMIA
I am amazed at your words.
I scorn you not. It seems that you scorn me.

On one piece of cloth, sitting on the same

cushion, singing the same song in the same
key, like our voices, minds, and sides were
the same. So grew together,
Like a double cherry- separate yet
together, two lovely berries on one stem;
It was like we had two bodies but the same
heart, due to become like one person.
And are you willing for give away our long
friendship together to these men to insult
your poor friend? Its not friendly or
ladylike. Other women may have the same
viewpoint as me on this, though it is only I
that am truly hurt by this.

HERMIA
Im amazed at what youre saying. Im not
insulting you. In fact, its like youre
insulting me.
HELENA
HELENA
Have you not set Lysander, as in scorn,
Cant you just admit that you sent Lysander
To follow me and praise my eyes and face?
to follow me, and compliment me?
And made your other love, Demetrius
Havent you made your other love
Who even but now did spurn me with his foot Demetrius who rejected me not long
To call me goddess, nymph, divine, and rare,
ago-call me goddess, nymph, divine, and
Precious, celestial? Wherefore speaks he this
rare, precious, celestial? Why would he talk
To her he hates? And wherefore doth Lysander like this to a girl he hates? And why would
Deny your love, so rich within his soul,
Lysander deny his love for you, when he
And tender me, forsooth, affection,
loves you so much, showing me affection?
But by your setting on, by your consent?
By your request?
What though I be not so in grace as you
Why does it matter to you that I am not as
So hung upon with love, so fortunate
loved as you-that I am so unfortunate,
But miserable most, to love unloved?
miserable and the most unloved? You
This you should pity rather than despise.
should pity me for this rather than despise
HERMIA
me.
I understand not what you mean by this.
HERMIA
HELENA
I dont know what youre talking about.
240
Ay, do. Persever, counterfeit sad looks,
HELENA
Make mouths upon me when I turn my back,
Oh, fine. Keep up your act of pretending to
Wink each at other, hold the sweet jest up
be sympathetic, then when I turn my back,
This sport, well carried, shall be chronicled.
wink at each other, and make faces at me.
If you have any pity, grace, or manners,
This scheme is well thought out, and should
245
You would not make me such an argument. be written into a book. If you had any
But fare ye well. 'Tis partly my own fault,
manners, grace, or sense of pity, you

Which death or absence soon shall remedy

.
LYSANDER
Stay, gentle Helena, hear my excuse.
My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!
HELENA
250
Oh, excellent!
HERMIA
(to LYSANDER) Sweet, do not scorn her so.
DEMETRIUS
If she cannot intreat, I can compel.
LYSANDER
Thou canst compel no more than she entreat.
Thy threats have no more strength than her
weak prayers.
Helen, I love thee. By my life, I do.
I swear by that which I will lose for thee
To prove him false that says I love thee not.
DEMETRIUS
I say I love thee more than he can do.
LYSANDER
If thou say so, withdraw and prove it too.
260
DEMETRIUS
Quick, come.
HERMIA
Lysander, whereto tends all this?
(holds LYSANDER back)
LYSANDER
(to HERMIA) Away, you Ethiope!
DEMETRIUS
(
to
HERMIA)
No, no. Hell
Seem to break loose.
(
to
LYSANDER)
Take on as you would follow,
265
But yet come not. You are a tame man, go!
LYSANDER
(
to
HERMIA) Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! Vile
thing, let loose
Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent.
HERMIA

wouldnt pretend to fight over me. But

goodbye. This is partly my own fault, since I
followed you here. Death or absence will
soon be the solution.
LYSANDER
Stay, beautiful Helena, hear me out.
My love, my life, my soul, lovely Helena!
HELENA
Nice one.
HERMIA
(to LYSANDER) Darling, dont insult her like
that
DEMETRIUS
If Hermias begging isnt helping you stop
insulting Helena, I can do so.
LYSANDER
You cant compel me more than Hermia
begs me. Your threats are equal to
Hermias weak begging.Helena, I swear on my life that I love you.
I will lose my life for you to prove him
wrong when he says I dont love you.
DEMETRIUS
I say that I love you more than him.
LYSANDER
If you say so, fight me and prove it.
DEMETRIUS
Lets fight. Right now.
HERMIA
Lysander, what are you doing with this?
(holds LYSANDER back)
LYSANDER
(to HERMIA) Go away, you ugly!
DEMETRIUS
(
to
HERMIA) No, no, he seems like hell get
away from you Hermia.
(
to
LYSANDER) Pretend like youre following
me, but dont actually follow. You coward,
go!
LYSANDER
(
to
HERMIA) Get off me, you cat, you thorn.
Nasty thing, let go of me or I will shake you
off like a snake.

Why are you grown so rude? What change is

this, sweet love?
LYSANDER
Thy love? Out tawny Tartar, out!

270
Out, loathd medicine! O hated potion,
hence!
HERMIA
Do you not jest?
HELENA
Yes sooth, 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 bond holds you. Ill not trust your word
LYSANDER
275
What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her
dead?
Although I hate her, Ill not harm her so.
HERMIA
(to
LYSANDER
)
What, can you do me greater harm than hate?
Hate me? Wherefore? O me! What news, my
love?
280
Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander?
I am as fair now as I was erewhile.
Since night you loved me. Yet since night you
left me.
Why then, you left meOh, the gods forbid!
In earnest, shall I say?
LYSANDER
Ay, by my life,
285
And never did desire to see thee more.
Therefore be out of hope, of question, of doubt.
Be certain, nothing truer. 'Tis no jest
That I do hate thee and love Helena.
HERMIA
O me!
290
(
to
HELENA) You juggler, you
cankerblossom, you thief of love! What, have
you come by night and stoln my loves heart
from him?

HERMIA
Why are you so rude all of sudden? Whats
changed, darling?
LYSANDER
Your darling? Get away, you dark reject,
away! Get away from me!
HERMIA
What, are you kidding or something?
HELENA
No doubt he is, and you are too.
LYSANDER
Demetrius, I will keep my word and fight
with you as I promised.
DEMETRIUS
I wish you had signed a contract for this.
The promises you have kept are weak. I
dont trust you.
LYSANDER
What, should I hurt Hermia, hit her, kill her
dead? Even though I hate her I wont hurt
her.
HERMIA
(
to
LYSANDER)
Can you hurt me more than professing your
hate for me? Hate me? WHY? Whats
happening, my darling?
Arent I Hermia? Arent you Lysander? I am
as beautiful as I was before. When I fell
asleep, you loved me, yet when you awoke
you left me. Why would you leave me- God
help me!-Are you for real?
LYSANDER
Of course I did, and I never want to face you
again. So forget the hoping and doubting.
Let me be clear. This is no joke that I hate
you and love Helena.
HERMIA
UGH! You clown, you horse, you thief of
love! What, have you snuck in at night to
steal my loves heart from him?

HELENA

Fine, i' faith!

Have you no modesty, no maiden shame,
No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear
295
Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?
Fie, fie! You counterfeit, you puppet, you!
HERMIA
Puppet? Why so?Ay, that way goes the game.
Now I perceive that she hath made compare
Between our statures. She hath urged her
height,
300
And with her personage, her tall personage,
Her height, forsooth, she hath prevailed with
him.
And are you grown so high in his esteem
Because I am so dwarfish and so low?
How low am I, thou painted maypole? Speak.
How low am I? I am not yet so low
But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes.
HELENA
(to
LYSANDER
and
DEMETRIUS
)
I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen,
Let her not hurt me. I was never cursed.
310
I have no gift at all in shrewishness.
I am a right maid for my cowardice.
Let her not strike me. You perhaps may think,
Because she is something lower than myself,
That I can match her.
HERMIA
Lower? Hark again!
HELENA
315
Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me.
I evermore did love you, Hermia,
Did ever keep your counsels, never wronged
you
Save that, in love unto Demetrius,
I told him of your stealth unto this wood.
320
He followed you. For love I followed him.
But he hath chid me hence and threatened me
To strike me, spurn menay, to kill me too.
And now, so you will let me quiet go,
To Athens will I bear my folly back
325
And follow you no further. Let me go.

HELENA
Oh, thats great! Arent you ashamed at
yourself? Do you have no modesty or sense
of feminism? Is your plan to make me mad
enough to the point in which I will answer
you? Away you puppet, you faker!
HERMIA
Puppet What do you mean?Oh, I see
what you mean. Shes comparing or height
difference. Because she is so tall, she thinks
she is more significant. With her
significance and her height, she was won
him over. Does he think of you that highly
because I am so short? Am I right? How
short am I you beanpole? SPEAK. How
short am I? Im not that short; my nails can
gouge out your eyes with my nails.
HELENA
(to
LYSANDER
and
DEMETRIUS
)
Gentlemen, dont let her hurt me, even
though you insult me. I never insulted her.
I have no gift in such thing. Its right for me
to be scared of her. Dont let her hurt me.
You might think that because shes shorter
and lower than me that I can take her out.
HERMIA
Shorter? Shes at it again!
HELENA
Good Hermia, dont act so bitter with me.
Ive always been fond of you Hermia, and
have never done anything wrong to youexcept that one time when I told Demetrius
of your plans to sneak off into the woods.
The only reason I did that was because I love
him. He followed you, so I followed him.
But he told me to get lost and threatened to
hit me, kick me, and kill me too. So if you
will, let me go back to Athens where I will
carry my mistakes away. I wont follow you
anymore. Let me leave. You see how loving

You see how simple and how fond I am

.
HERMIA
Why get you gone! Who ist that hinders you?
HELENA
A foolish heart, that I leave here behind.

but stupid I am.

HERMIA
Then get lost! Whos stopping you?
HELENA
My own stubborn heart, that Im leaving
here.
HERMIA
HERMIA
What, with Lysander?
Are you talking about Lysander?
HELENA
HELENA
With Demetrius.
Nope, with Demetrius.
LYSANDER
LYSANDER
Be not afraid. She shall not harm thee, Helena. Dont be afraid, she wont harm you Helena.
DEMETRIUS
DEMETRIUS
(to
LYSANDER
)
(to
LYSANDER
)
No, sir, she shall not, though you take her part. No, she wont harm, even if you help her.
HELENA
HELENA
Oh, when shes angry, she is keen and shrewd! Oh, when she gets angry, she is vicious and
She was a vixen when she went to school.
scary! When she went to school, she was
335
And though she be but little, she is fierce.
like an animal. Despite her height, she is
fierce.
HERMIA
HERMIA
Little again? Nothing but low and little!
Little, again?! All you keep saying is low
Why will you suffer her to flout me thus?
and little!- Why are you just allowing her to
Let me come to her.
insult me like this? Let me get her!
LYSANDER
LYSANDER
(to
HERMIA
)
Get you gone, you dwarf,
(to
HERMIA
)
Scram you dwarf, you weed,
350
You minimus of hindering knotgrass made, you acorn!
You bead, you acorn!
DEMETRIUS
DEMETRIUS
You are too officious
Youre doing so much to defend a woman
In her behalf that scorns your services.
that doesnt want to deal with you. Leave
Let her alone. Speak not of Helena.
her alone. Dont even talk of Helena. Dont
Take not her part. For if thou dost intend
take part in her business. If you keep
345
Never so little show of love to her,
treating Hermia so bitterly, shell hurt you
Thou shalt aby it.
for it.
LYSANDER
Now she holds me not.
LYSANDER
Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right,
Hermia doesnt have a hold of me anymore.
Of thine or mine, is most in Helena.
If you dare, follow me and well fight over
DEMETRIUS
Helena.
Follow? Nay, Ill go with thee, cheek by jowl.
DEMETRIUS
HERMIA
Follow? HA! Ill walk side by side with you.
You, mistress, all this coil is long of you.
HERMIA
350
Nay, go not back.
You! All this fighting your fault.

HELENA
I will not trust you, I,
Nor longer stay in your curst company.
Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray.
My legs are longer though, to run away.
Exit
HELENA
HERMIA
I am amazed and know now what to say.
Exit
HERMIA

Dont you dare go back.

HELENA
I dont trust you, and I will wont stay in your
company any longer. You may be a better
fighter than me, but my legs are longer to
run away.

Exit
HELENA
HERMIA
I cant believe this. Im speechless.
Exit
HERMIA