HERMIA.
Dark night, that from the eye his function takes,
The ear more quick of apprehension makes:

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.

HERMIA.
What love could press Lysander from my side?

LYSANDER.
Lysander's love, fair Helena.

HERMIA.
You speak not as you think: it cannot be.

HELENA.
Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid,
Have you conspir'd, have you with these contriv'd
To bait me with this foul derision?
Is all the counsel that we two have shar'd,
The sister's vows, the hours that we have spent,
When we have chid the hasty footed time,
For parting us: O! and is all forgot.
But fare ye well, 'tis partly mine own fault,
Which death or absence soon shall remedy.
AIR.
Since Hermia neglects me,
And He thus rejects me,

My pride with my heart shall contend,
  I'll quit love for ever,
  Our friendship dissever,
Adieu to my lover and friend.
  My easy believing,
  Your guiles and deceiving,
No more my fond heart shall betray;
  I'll roam desart places,
  I'll fly human faces,
From friendship and love far away. [Exit Helena.

LYSANDER.
Stay, gentle Helena, hear my excuse;
My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena.

DEMETRIUS.
I say I love her more than thou, Lysander.

LYSANDER.
If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too.

DEMETRIUS.
Quick, come.

HERMIA.
Lysander, whereto tends all this?
Am not I Hermia? are not you Lysander?

LYSANDER.
Therefore be out of hope, for it is true,
That I do hate thee, and love Helena. [Exeunt Dem. and Lys.
AIR.
  Come pride, love-disdaining,
  Hence sighs and complaining,
Affection is banish'd my breast—
  By nature tho' tender,
  To rage I surrender
That heart which soft passion possest.
  Fury, revenge, and slighted love,
Have to a serpent chang'd the dove. [Exit.

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