University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An open plain, bordered with wood.
Enter Oberon.
OBERON.
Who comes here? I am invisible,
And I will hear their conference.

Enter Demetrius, Helena following him.
DEMETRIUS.
Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more.
You do impeach your modesty too much,
To leave the city, and commit yourself
Into the hands of one that loves you not,
To trust the opportunity of night,
And the ill counsel of a desart place.

HELENA.
It is not night when I do see your face,
Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company,
For you, in my respect, are all the World.

DEMETRIUS.
I'll run from thee and hide me in the brakes,
And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts.

HELENA.
The wildest hath not such a heart as you;
Run when you will the story shall be chang'd;
Apollo flies, and Daphne holds the chase.

DEMETRIUS.
I will not stay thy questions, let me go,
Or if you follow me, do not believe
But I shall do thee mischief in the wood.

AIR.
HELENA.
Love made the lovely Venus burn,
In vain, and for the cold youth mourn;
A youth as cold as you, but he
At least pursued no other she.
So have I seen the lost Clouds pour,
Into the sea a useless shower,
And the vexed sailors curse the rain,
For which poor shepherds pray'd in vain.

[Exeunt Dem. and Hel.
OBERON.
Fare thee well, nymph, ere he doth leave this grove,
Thou shalt fly him, and he shall seek thy love.