Midsummer's Night Dream Lines

Front 1

Demetrius is a worth gentlemen

Back 1

So is Lysander

Front 2

The other must be held the worthier

Back 2

I would but my father look'd but with my eyes

Front 3

Rather your eyes must with his judgment look

Back 3

I do entreat your grace to pardon me.

I know not by what power I am made bold,

Nor how it may concern my modesty,

In such a presence here to plead my thoughts;

But I beseech your Grace that I may know

The worst that may befall me in this case,

If I refuse to wed Demetrius.

Front 4

Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness

Back 4

So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord,

Ere I will yield my virgin patent up

Unto his lordship, whose unwished yoke

My soul consents not to give sovereignty

Front 5

How chance the roses there do fade so fast?

Back 5

Belike for the want of rain, which I could well

Beteem them from the tempest of my eyes.

Front 6

But, either it was different in blood-

Back 6

O cross! too high to be enthrall'd to low

Front 7

Or else misgraffed in respect of years,-

Back 7

O spite! too old to be engaged to young

Front 8

Or else it stood upon the choice of friends,-

Back 8

O hell! to choose love by another's eyes

Front 9

So quick bright things come to confusion

Back 9

If then true lovers have been ever cross'd

It stands as an edict in destiny;

Then let us teach our trial patience,

Because it is a customary cross,

As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sounds,

Wishes and tears, poor fancy's followers

Front 10

[Enter Helena]

Back 10

God speed fair Helena! wither away?

Front 11

You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart

Back 11

I frown upon him yet he loves me still

Front 12

smiles such skill

Back 12

I give him curses yet he gives me love

Front 13

such affection move

Back 13

The more I hate, the more he follows me

Front 14

the more he hateth me

Back 14

His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine

Front 15

would that fault be mine

Back 15

Take comfort: he no more shall see my face;

Lysander and myself will fly this place.

Before the time I did Lysander see,

Seem'd Athens as a paradise to me:

O, then, what graces in my love do dwell,

That he hath turn;d a heaven unto a hell!