Titania The nine men's morris is filled up with mud, And the quaint mazes in the wanton green For lack of tread are undistinguishable. Read more about Act 2, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: maze
Helena Yet Hermia still loves you; then be content. Lysander Content with Hermia? No, I do repent 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. Things growing are not ripe until their season; So I, being young, till now not ripe to reason. And touching now the point of human skill, Reason becomes the marshal to my will, And leads me to your eyes, where I o'erlook Love's stories written in love's richest book. Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "ripe to reason"
Lysander Transparent Helena, nature shows art, That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart. Where is Demetrius? O, how fit a word 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 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. Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "will of man"
Helena O, 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. How came her eyes so bright? Not with salt tears — If so, my eyes are oftener washed than hers. No, no, I am as ugly as a bear, For beasts that meet me run away for fear. Therefore no marvel though Demetrius Do as a monster fly my presence thus. What wicked and dissembling glass of mine Made me compare with Hermia's sphery eyne? [Helena sees Lysander asleep, but not Hermia] But who is here? Lysander, on the ground? Dead or asleep? I see no blood, no wound. Lysander if you live, good sir, awake. Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "wheresoever she lies"
[Enter Titania, Queen of the fairies, with her attendants] Titania Come, now a roundel and a fairy song, Then for the third part of a minute hence: Some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds, Some war with reremice for their leathern wings To make my small elves coats, and some keep back The clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep. Then to your offices and let me rest. [She lies down. Fairies sing and dance] First Fairy You spotted snakes with double tongue, Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen. Newts and blindworms, do no wrong, Come not near our Fairy Queen. Read more about Act 2, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "spotted snakes" etc.
