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| Modern text
| Definitions
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| Enter Theseus, Hippolita, | Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, Philostrate | Theseus (n.) [pron: 'theesius] legendary king of Athens; killer of the Minotaur; he conquered the Amazons and married their queen, Hippolyta | MND I.i.1.1 | |
| | Hippolyta (n.)[pron: hi'polita] queen of the Amazons | | |
| with others. | and Attendants | | MND I.i.1.2 | |
| Theseus. | THESEUS | | | |
| NOw faire Hippolita, our nuptiall houre | Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour | | MND I.i.1 | |
| Drawes on apace: foure happy daies bring in | Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in | apace (adv.)quickly, speedily, at a great rate | MND I.i.2 | |
| Another Moon: but oh, me thinkes, how slow | Another moon – but O, methinks how slow | methinks(t), methought(s) (v.)it seems / seemed to me | MND I.i.3 | |
| This old Moon wanes; She lingers my desires | This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires, | linger (v.)delay, put off, keep waiting | MND I.i.4 | |
| Like to a Step-dame, or a Dowager, | Like to a stepdame or a dowager | stepdame, step-dame (n.)stepmother | MND I.i.5 | |
| Long withering out a yong mans reuennew. | Long withering out a young man's revenue. | wither out (v.)cause to dwindle, make less | MND I.i.6 | |
| | revenue (n.)income, yield, profit | | |
| Hip. | HIPPOLYTA | | | |
| Foure daies wil quickly steep thẽselues in nights | Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; | | MND I.i.7 | |
| Foure nights wil quickly dreame away the time: | Four nights will quickly dream away the time: | | MND I.i.8 | |
| And then the Moone, like to a siluer bow, | And then the moon – like to a silver bow | | MND I.i.9 | |
| Now bent in heauen, shal behold the night | New-bent in heaven – shall behold the night | | MND I.i.10 | |
| Of our solemnities. | Of our solemnities. | | MND I.i.11.1 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| Go Philostrate, | Go, Philostrate, | | MND I.i.11.2 | |
| Stirre vp the Athenian youth to merriments, | Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments. | | MND I.i.12 | |
| Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth, | Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth. | pert (adj.)lively, brisk, sprightly | MND I.i.13 | |
| Turne melancholy forth to Funerals: | Turn melancholy forth to funerals: | | MND I.i.14 | |
| The pale companion is not for our pompe, | The pale companion is not for our pomp. | pomp (n.)pageant, ceremony, procession | MND I.i.15 | |
| | companion (n.)rogue, rascal, fellow | | |
| Exit Philostrate | | MND I.i.15 | |
| Hippolita, I woo'd thee with my sword, | Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword, | | MND I.i.16 | |
| And wonne thy loue, doing thee iniuries: | And won thy love doing thee injuries; | | MND I.i.17 | |
| But I will wed thee in another key, | But I will wed thee in another key: | | MND I.i.18 | |
| With pompe, with triumph, and with reuelling. | With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling. | triumph (n.)public festivity, pageant, display of celebration, tournament | MND I.i.19 | |
| Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, Lysander, | Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, and Lysander, | | MND I.i.20.1 | |
| and Demetrius. | and Demetrius | | MND I.i.20.2 | |
| Ege. | EGEUS | | | |
| Happy be Theseus, our renowned Duke. | Happy be Theseus, our renowned Duke. | | MND I.i.20 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| Thanks good Egeus: what's the news with thee? | Thanks, good Egeus. What's the news with thee? | | MND I.i.21 | |
| Ege. | EGEUS | | | |
| Full of vexation, come I, with complaint | Full of vexation come I, with complaint | | MND I.i.22 | |
| Against my childe, my daughter Hermia. | Against my child, my daughter Hermia. | | MND I.i.23 | |
| Stand forth Demetrius. / My Noble Lord, | Stand forth, Demetrius! My noble lord, | | MND I.i.24 | |
| This man hath my consent to marrie her. | This man hath my consent to marry her. | | MND I.i.25 | |
| Stand forth Lysander. / And my gracious Duke, | Stand forth, Lysander! – And, my gracious Duke, | | MND I.i.26 | |
| This man hath bewitch'd the bosome of my childe: | This man hath bewitched the bosom of my child. | | MND I.i.27 | |
| Thou, thou Lysander, thou hast giuen her rimes, | Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes, | | MND I.i.28 | |
| And interchang'd loue-tokens with my childe: | And interchanged love-tokens with my child. | | MND I.i.29 | |
| Thou hast by Moone-light at her window sung, | Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung | | MND I.i.30 | |
| With faining voice, verses of faining loue, | With feigning voice verses of feigning love, | | MND I.i.31 | |
| And stolne the impression of her fantasie, | And stolen the impression of her fantasy. | fantasy (n.)ardent desire, amorous fancy | MND I.i.32 | |
| With bracelets of thy haire, rings, gawdes, conceits, | With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gauds, conceits, | gaud (n.)gaudy toy, showy plaything, trinket | MND I.i.33 | |
| | conceit (n.)trinket, fancy article, bauble | | |
| Knackes, trifles, Nose-gaies, sweet meats (messengers | Knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats – messengers | knack (n.)trifle, knick-knack, ornament | MND I.i.34 | |
| Of strong preuailment in vnhardned youth) | Of strong prevailment in unhardened youth – | prevailment (n.)prevailing action, power, influence | MND I.i.35 | |
| With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughters heart, | With cunning hast thou filched my daughter's heart, | | MND I.i.36 | |
| Turn'd her obedience (which is due to me) | Turned her obedience which is due to me | | MND I.i.37 | |
| To stubborne harshnesse. And my gracious Duke, | To stubborn harshness. And, my gracious Duke, | | MND I.i.38 | |
| Be it so she will not heere before your Grace, | Be it so she will not here before your grace | | MND I.i.39 | |
| Consent to marrie with Demetrius, | Consent to marry with Demetrius, | | MND I.i.40 | |
| I beg the ancient priuiledge of Athens; | I beg the ancient privilege of Athens: | | MND I.i.41 | |
| As she is mine, I may dispose of her; | As she is mine, I may dispose of her; | | MND I.i.42 | |
| Which shall be either to this Gentleman, | Which shall be either to this gentleman | | MND I.i.43 | |
| Or to her death, according to our Law, | Or to her death, according to our law | | MND I.i.44 | |
| Immediately prouided in that case. | Immediately provided in that case. | immediately (adv.)directly, instantly, without delay | MND I.i.45 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| What say you Hermia? be aduis'd faire Maide, | What say you, Hermia? Be advised, fair maid: | | MND I.i.46 | |
| To you your Father should be as a God; | To you your father should be as a god; | | MND I.i.47 | |
| One that compos'd your beauties; yea and one | One that composed your beauties – yea, and one | compose (v.)make up, produce, fashion | MND I.i.48 | |
| To whom you are but as a forme in waxe | To whom you are but as a form in wax | | MND I.i.49 | |
| By him imprinted: and within his power, | By him imprinted, and within his power | | MND I.i.50 | |
| To leaue the figure, or disfigure it: | To leave the figure or disfigure it. | | MND I.i.51 | |
| Demetrius is a worthy Gentleman. | Demetrius is a worthy gentleman. | | MND I.i.52 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| So is Lysander. | So is Lysander. | | MND I.i.53.1 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| In himselfe he is. | In himself he is; | | MND I.i.53.2 | |
| But in this kinde, wanting your fathers voyce. | But in this kind, wanting your father's voice, | kind (n.)respect, regard, particular | MND I.i.54 | |
| | voice (n.)support, approval, good word | | |
| | want (v.)lack, need, be without | | |
| The other must be held the worthier. | The other must be held the worthier. | | MND I.i.55 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| I would my father look'd but with my eyes. | I would my father looked but with my eyes. | | MND I.i.56 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| Rather your eies must with his iudgment looke. | Rather your eyes must with his judgement look. | | MND I.i.57 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| I do entreat your Grace to pardon me. | I do entreat your grace to pardon me. | | MND I.i.58 | |
| I know not by what power I am made bold, | I know not by what power I am made bold, | power (n.)force, strength, might | MND I.i.59 | |
| Nor how it may concerne my modestie | Nor how it may concern my modesty | concern (v.)befit, suit with, accord with | MND I.i.60 | |
| In such a presence heere to pleade my thoughts: | In such a presence here to plead my thoughts; | | MND I.i.61 | |
| But I beseech your Grace, that I may know | But I beseech your grace that I may know | | MND I.i.62 | |
| The worst that may befall me in this case, | The worst that may befall me in this case | befall (v.), past forms befallen, befellhappen to, come to | MND I.i.63 | |
| If I refuse to wed Demetrius. | If I refuse to wed Demetrius. | | MND I.i.64 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| Either to dye the death, or to abiure | Either to die the death, or to abjure | | MND I.i.65 | |
| For euer the society of men. | For ever the society of men. | | MND I.i.66 | |
| Therefore faire Hermia question your desires, | Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires, | | MND I.i.67 | |
| Know of your youth, examine well your blood, | Know of your youth, examine well your blood, | know (v.)acknowledge, remember, think [of] | MND I.i.68 | |
| | blood (n.)passion, feeling, strong emotion [especially sexual] | | |
| Whether (if you yeeld not to your fathers choice) | Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice, | | MND I.i.69 | |
| You can endure the liuerie of a Nunne, | You can endure the livery of a nun, | livery (n.)uniform, costume, special clothing | MND I.i.70 | |
| For aye to be in shady Cloister mew'd, | For aye to be in shady cloister mewed, | mew (v.)coop up, confine, shut up | MND I.i.71 | |
| | aye (adv.)always, ever, for eternity | | |
| To liue a barren sister all your life, | To live a barren sister all your life, | | MND I.i.72 | |
| Chanting faint hymnes to the cold fruitlesse Moone, | Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. | cold (adj.)chaste, modest, lacking sensual passion | MND I.i.73 | |
| Thrice blessed they that master so their blood, | Thrice blessed they that master so their blood | blood (n.)passion, feeling, strong emotion [especially sexual] | MND I.i.74 | |
| To vndergo such maiden pilgrimage, | To undergo such maiden pilgrimage; | | MND I.i.75 | |
| But earthlier happie is the Rose distil'd, | But earthlier happy is the rose distilled, | | MND I.i.76 | |
| Then that which withering on the virgin thorne, | Than that which, withering on the virgin thorn, | | MND I.i.77 | |
| Growes, liues, and dies, in single blessednesse. | Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness. | | MND I.i.78 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| So will I grow, so liue, so die my Lord, | So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, | | MND I.i.79 | |
| Ere I will yeeld my virgin Patent vp | Ere I will my virgin patent up | patent (n.)privilege, right, title | MND I.i.80 | |
| Vnto his Lordship, whose vnwished yoake, | Unto his lordship whose unwished yoke | | MND I.i.81 | |
| My soule consents not to giue soueraignty. | My soul consents not to give sovereignty. | | MND I.i.82 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| Take time to pause, and by the next new Moon | Take time to pause, and by the next new moon – | | MND I.i.83 | |
| The sealing day betwixt my loue and me, | The sealing day betwixt my love and me | sealing day (n.)day for confirming a contract, wedding-day | MND I.i.84 | |
| For euerlasting bond of fellowship: | For everlasting bond of fellowship – | | MND I.i.85 | |
| Vpon that day either prepare to dye, | Upon that day either prepare to die | | MND I.i.86 | |
| For disobedience to your fathers will, | For disobedience to your father's will, | | MND I.i.87 | |
| Or else to wed Demetrius as hee would, | Or else to wed Demetrius, as he would, | | MND I.i.88 | |
| Or on Dianaes Altar to protest | Or on Diana's altar to protest | Diana, Dian (n.)Roman goddess associated with the Moon, chastity, and hunting | MND I.i.89 | |
| For aie, austerity, and single life. | For aye austerity and single life. | aye (adv.)always, ever, for eternity | MND I.i.90 | |
| Dem. | DEMETRIUS | | | |
| Relent sweet Hermia, and Lysander, yeelde | Relent, sweet Hermia; and, Lysander, yield | | MND I.i.91 | |
| Thy crazed title to my certaine right. | Thy crazed title to my certain right. | title (n.)[legal] right, claim, entitlement | MND I.i.92 | |
| | crazed (adj.)flawed, unsound, impaired | | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| You haue her fathers loue, Demetrius: | You have her father's love, Demetrius – | | MND I.i.93 | |
| Let me haue Hermiaes: do you marry him. | Let me have Hermia's. Do you marry him. | | MND I.i.94 | |
| Egeus. | EGEUS | | | |
| Scornfull Lysander, true, he hath my Loue; | Scornful Lysander – true, he hath my love; | | MND I.i.95 | |
| And what is mine, my loue shall render him. | And what is mine my love shall render him; | | MND I.i.96 | |
| And she is mine, and all my right of her, | And she is mine, and all my right of her | | MND I.i.97 | |
| I do estate vnto Demetrius. | I do estate unto Demetrius. | estate (v.)endow, settle upon, bestow (up)on | MND I.i.98 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| I am my Lord, as well deriu'd as he, | I am, my lord, as well derived as he, | derived (adj.)descended, in lineage | MND I.i.99 | |
| As well possest: my loue is more then his: | As well possessed. My love is more than his, | possessed (adj.)propertied, affluent, provided for | MND I.i.100 | |
| My fortunes euery way as fairely ranck'd | My fortunes every way as fairly ranked – | | MND I.i.101 | |
| (If not with vantage) as Demetrius: | If not with vantage – as Demetrius'. | vantage (n.)advantageous position, place of vantage, superiority | MND I.i.102 | |
| And (which is more then all these boasts can be) | And – which is more than all these boasts can be – | | MND I.i.103 | |
| I am belou'd of beauteous Hermia. | I am beloved of beauteous Hermia. | | MND I.i.104 | |
| Why should not I then prosecute my right? | Why should not I then prosecute my right? | | MND I.i.105 | |
| Demetrius, Ile auouch it to his head, | Demetrius – I'll avouch it to his head – | head, to one'sto one's face, frankly, openly | MND I.i.106 | |
| | avouch (v.)declare, assert, affirm | | |
| Made loue to Nedars daughter, Helena, | Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena, | | MND I.i.107 | |
| And won her soule: and she (sweet Ladie) dotes, | And won her soul; and she, sweet lady, dotes, | | MND I.i.108 | |
| Deuoutly dotes, dotes in Idolatry, | Devoutly dotes, dotes in idolatry | | MND I.i.109 | |
| Vpon this spotted and inconstant man. | Upon this spotted and inconstant man. | spotted (adj.)stained, blemished | MND I.i.110 | |
| The. | THESEUS | | | |
| I must confesse, that I haue heard so much, | I must confess that I have heard so much, | | MND I.i.111 | |
| And with Demetrius thought to haue spoke thereof: | And with Demetrius thought to have spoke thereof; | | MND I.i.112 | |
| But being ouer-full of selfe-affaires, | But, being overfull of self affairs, | | MND I.i.113 | |
| My minde did lose it. But Demetrius come, | My mind did lose it. But Demetrius, come; | lose (v.)lose sight of, forget | MND I.i.114 | |
| And come Egeus, you shall go with me, | And come, Egeus. You shall go with me. | | MND I.i.115 | |
| I haue some priuate schooling for you both. | I have some private schooling for you both. | schooling (n.)admonition, reproof, counsel | MND I.i.116 | |
| For you faire Hermia, looke you arme your selfe, | For you, fair Hermia, look you arm yourself | arm (v.)prepare, get ready | MND I.i.117 | |
| To fit your fancies to your Fathers will; | To fit your fancies to your father's will; | | MND I.i.118 | |
| Or else the Law of Athens yeelds you vp | Or else the law of Athens yields you up – | | MND I.i.119 | |
| (Which by no meanes we may extenuate) | Which by no means we may extenuate – | extenuate (v.)mitigate, lessen, tone down | MND I.i.120 | |
| To death, or to a vow of single life. | To death or to a vow of single life. | | MND I.i.121 | |
| Come my Hippolita, what cheare my loue? | Come, my Hippolyta. What cheer, my love? | | MND I.i.122 | |
| Demetrius and Egeus go along: | Demetrius and Egeus, go along; | go alongcome along, come with me | MND I.i.123 | |
| I must imploy you in some businesse | I must employ you in some business | | MND I.i.124 | |
| Against our nuptiall, and conferre with you | Against our nuptial, and confer with you | | MND I.i.125 | |
| Of something, neerely that concernes your selues. | Of something nearly that concerns yourselves. | nearly (adv.)closely, particularly, especially | MND I.i.126 | |
| | concern (v.)be important to, be the concern of | | |
| Ege. | EGEUS | | | |
| With dutie and desire we follow you. | With duty and desire we follow you. | | MND I.i.127 | |
| Exeunt / Manet Lysander and Hermia. | Exeunt all but Lysander and Hermia | | MND I.i.127 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| How now my loue? Why is your cheek so pale? | How now, my love? Why is your cheek so pale? | | MND I.i.128 | |
| How chance the Roses there do fade so fast? | How chance the roses there do fade so fast? | | MND I.i.129 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| Belike for want of raine, which I could well | Belike for want of rain, which I could well | want (n.)lack, shortage, dearth | MND I.i.130 | |
| | belike (adv.)probably, presumably, perhaps, so it seems | | |
| Beteeme them, from the tempest of mine eyes. | Beteem them from the tempest of my eyes. | beteem, beteene (v.)allow, permit, let, grant | MND I.i.131 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| For ought that euer I could reade, | Ay me! For aught that I could ever read, | aught (n.)anything, [with negative word] nothing | MND I.i.132 | |
| Could euer heare by tale or historie, | Could ever hear by tale or history, | | MND I.i.133 | |
| The course of true loue neuer did run smooth, | The course of true love never did run smooth; | | MND I.i.134 | |
| But either it was different in blood. | But either it was different in blood – | blood (n.)nobility, breeding, gentility, good parentage | MND I.i.135 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| O crosse! too high to be enthral'd to loue. | O cross! – too high to be enthralled to low. | | MND I.i.136 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| Or else misgraffed, in respect of yeares. | Or else misgraffed in respect of years – | misgraffed (adj.)badly grafted, ill-matched, unsuited | MND I.i.137 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| O spight! too old to be ingag'd to yong. | O spite! – too old to be engaged to young. | | MND I.i.138 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| Or else it stood vpon the choise of merit. | Or else it stood upon the choice of friends – | stand upon (v.)depend on, rely upon, hinge on | MND I.i.139 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| O hell! to choose loue by anothers eie. | O hell! – to choose love by another's eyes. | | MND I.i.140 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| Or if there were a simpathie in choise, | Or if there were a sympathy in choice, | sympathy (n.)accord, agreement, harmony | MND I.i.141 | |
| Warre, death, or sicknesse, did lay siege to it; | War, death, or sickness did lay siege to it, | | MND I.i.142 | |
| Making it momentarie, as a sound: | Making it momentany as a sound, | momentany (adj.)momentary, transitory, fleeting | MND I.i.143 | |
| Swift as a shadow, short as any dreame, | Swift as a shadow, short as any dream, | | MND I.i.144 | |
| Briefe as the lightning in the collied night, | Brief as the lightning in the collied night, | collied (adj.)blackened, darkened, murky | MND I.i.145 | |
| That (in a spleene) vnfolds both heauen and earth; | That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth, | spleen (n.)impulse, caprice, whim | MND I.i.146 | |
| | spleen (n.)temper, spirit, passion [part of the body seen as the source of both gloomy and mirthful emotions] | | |
| | unfold (v.)display, reveal, show | | |
| And ere a man hath power to say, behold, | And – ere a man hath power to say ‘ Behold!’ – | | MND I.i.147 | |
| The iawes of darkness do deuoure it vp: | The jaws of darkness do devour it up. | | MND I.i.148 | |
| So quicke bright things come to confusion. | So quick bright things come to confusion. | quick (adj.)living, vital, full of life | MND I.i.149 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| If then true Louers haue beene euer crost, | If then true lovers have been ever crossed | cross (v.)prevent, thwart, forestall | MND I.i.150 | |
| It stands as an edict in destinie: | It stands as an edict in destiny. | | MND I.i.151 | |
| Then let vs teach our triall patience, | Then let us teach our trial patience, | | MND I.i.152 | |
| Because it is a customarie crosse, | Because it is a customary cross, | | MND I.i.153 | |
| As due to loue, as thoughts, and dreames, and sighes, | As due to love as thoughts, and dreams, and sighs, | | MND I.i.154 | |
| Wishes and teares; poore Fancies followers. | Wishes, and tears – poor fancy's followers. | fancy (n.)love, amorousness, infatuation | MND I.i.155 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| A good perswasion; therefore heare me Hermia, | A good persuasion. Therefore hear me, Hermia: | persuasion (n.)conviction, principle, opinion | MND I.i.156 | |
| I haue a Widdow Aunt, a dowager, | I have a widow aunt, a dowager, | | MND I.i.157 | |
| Of great reuennew, and she hath no childe, | Of great revenue; and she hath no child. | | MND I.i.158 | |
| From Athens is her house remou'd seuen leagues, | From Athens is her house remote seven leagues; | | MND I.i.159 | |
| And she respects me, as her onely sonne: | And she respects me as her only son. | | MND I.i.160 | |
| There gentle Hermia, may I marrie thee, | There, gentle Hermia, may I marry thee; | gentle (adj.)soft, tender, kind | MND I.i.161 | |
| And to that place, the sharpe Athenian Law | And to that place the sharp Athenian law | | MND I.i.162 | |
| Cannot pursue vs. If thou lou'st me, then | Cannot pursue us. If thou lovest me, then | | MND I.i.163 | |
| Steale forth thy fathers house to morrow night: | Steal forth thy father's house tomorrow night, | | MND I.i.164 | |
| And in the wood, a league without the towne, | And in the wood, a league without the town – | | MND I.i.165 | |
| (Where I did meete thee once with Helena, | Where I did meet thee once with Helena | | MND I.i.166 | |
| To do obseruance for a morne of May) | To do observance to a morn of May – | morn (n.)morning, dawn | MND I.i.167 | |
| There will I stay for thee. | There will I stay for thee. | | MND I.i.168.1 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| My good Lysander, | My good Lysander, | | MND I.i.168.2 | |
| I sweare to thee, by Cupids strongest bow, | I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow, | Cupid (n.)[pron: 'kyoopid] Roman god of love, son of Venus and Mercury; a winged, blindfolded boy with curved bow and arrows | MND I.i.169 | |
| By his best arrow with the golden head, | By his best arrow with the golden head, | | MND I.i.170 | |
| By the simplicitie of Venus Doues, | By the simplicity of Venus' doves, | simplicity (n.)innocence, harmlessness, guilelessness | MND I.i.171 | |
| | Venus (n.)Roman goddess of beauty and love | | |
| By that which knitteth soules, and prospers loue, | By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves, | | MND I.i.172 | |
| And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage Queene, | And by that fire which burned the Carthage queen | | MND I.i.173 | |
| When the false Troyan vnder saile was seene, | When the false Trojan under sail was seen, | false (adj.)disloyal, faithless, inconstant, unfaithful | MND I.i.174 | |
| By all the vowes that euer men haue broke, | By all the vows that ever men have broke – | | MND I.i.175 | |
| (In number more then euer women spoke) | In number more than ever women spoke, – | | MND I.i.176 | |
| In that same place thou hast appointed me, | In that same place thou hast appointed me | | MND I.i.177 | |
| To morrow truly will I meete with thee. | Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee. | | MND I.i.178 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| Keepe promise loue: looke here comes Helena. | Keep promise, love. Look – here comes Helena. | | MND I.i.179 | |
| Enter Helena. | Enter Helena | | MND I.i.180 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| God speede faire Helena, whither away? | God speed, fair Helena! Whither away? | | MND I.i.180 | |
| Hel. | HELENA | | | |
| Cal you me faire? that faire againe vnsay, | Call you me fair? that ‘ fair ’ again unsay. | | MND I.i.181 | |
| Demetrius loues you faire: O happie faire! | Demetrius loves your fair. O happy fair! | fair (n.)fair face, beauty | MND I.i.182 | |
| Your eyes are loadstarres, and your tongues sweet ayre | Your eyes are lodestars, and your tongue's sweet air | lodestar (n.)guiding star, beacon | MND I.i.183 | |
| | air (n.)melody, tune, strain | | |
| More tuneable then Larke to shepheards eare, | More tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear | tuneable (adj.)tuneful, musical, melodious | MND I.i.184 | |
| When wheate is greene, when hauthorne buds appeare, | When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear. | | MND I.i.185 | |
| Sicknesse is catching: O were fauor so, | Sickness is catching. O, were favour so, | favour (n.)[facial] appearance, countenance, features, looks | MND I.i.186 | |
| Your words I catch, faire Hermia ere I go, | Yours would I catch, fair Hermia, ere I go. | | MND I.i.187 | |
| My eare should catch your voice, my eye, your eye, | My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye, | | MND I.i.188 | |
| My tongue should catch your tongues sweet melodie, | My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody. | | MND I.i.189 | |
| Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated, | Were the world mine, Demetrius being bated, | bate (v.)except, omit, leave out of consideration | MND I.i.190 | |
| The rest Ile giue to be to you translated. | The rest I'd give to be to you translated. | translate (v.)change, transform, alter | MND I.i.191 | |
| O teach me how you looke, and with what art | O, teach me how you look, and with what art | | MND I.i.192 | |
| you sway the motion of Demetrius hart. | You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart. | | MND I.i.193 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| I frowne vpon him, yet he loues me still. | I frown upon him, yet he loves me still. | | MND I.i.194 | |
| Hel. | HELENA | | | |
| O that your frownes would teach my smiles such skil. | O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill! | | MND I.i.195 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| I giue him curses, yet he giues me loue. | I give him curses, yet he gives me love. | | MND I.i.196 | |
| Hel. | HELENA | | | |
| O that my prayers could such affection mooue. | O that my prayers could such affection move! | | MND I.i.197 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| The more I hate, the more he followes me. | The more I hate, the more he follows me. | | MND I.i.198 | |
| Hel. | HELENA | | | |
| The more I loue, the more he hateth me. | The more I love, the more he hateth me. | | MND I.i.199 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| His folly Helena is none of mine. | His folly, Helena, is no fault of mine. | | MND I.i.200 | |
| Hel. | HELENA | | | |
| None but your beauty, wold that fault wer mine | None but your beauty. Would that fault were mine! | | MND I.i.201 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| Take comfort: he no more shall see my face, | Take comfort. He no more shall see my face. | | MND I.i.202 | |
| Lysander and my selfe will flie this place. | Lysander and myself will fly this place. | | MND I.i.203 | |
| Before the time I did Lysander see, | Before the time I did Lysander see | | MND I.i.204 | |
| Seem'd Athens like a Paradise to mee. | Seemed Athens as a paradise to me. | | MND I.i.205 | |
| O then, what graces in my Loue do dwell, | O then, what graces in my love do dwell | | MND I.i.206 | |
| That he hath turn'd a heauen into hell. | That he hath turned a heaven unto a hell? | | MND I.i.207 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| Helen, to you our mindes we will vnfold, | Helen, to you our minds we will unfold. | | MND I.i.208 | |
| To morrow night, when Phoebe doth behold | Tomorrow night, when Phoebe doth behold | Phoebe (n.)one of the titles of the Roman goddess of the Moon | MND I.i.209 | |
| Her siluer visage, in the watry glasse, | Her silver visage in the watery glass, | glass (n.)mirror, looking-glass | MND I.i.210 | |
| | visage (n.)face, countenance | | |
| Decking with liquid pearle, the bladed grasse | Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass – | bladed (adj.)many-bladed, abounding in shoots | MND I.i.211 | |
| (A time that Louers flights doth still conceale) | A time that lovers' flights doth still conceal – | still (adv.)constantly, always, continually | MND I.i.212 | |
| Through Athens gates, haue we deuis'd to steale. | Through Athens gates have we devised to steal. | | MND I.i.213 | |
| Her. | HERMIA | | | |
| And in the wood, where often you and I, | And in the wood, where often you and I | | MND I.i.214 | |
| Vpon faint Primrose beds, were wont to lye, | Upon faint primrose beds were wont to lie, | wont (v.)be accustomed, used [to], be in the habit of | MND I.i.215 | |
| | faint (adj.)pale, lightly coloured | | |
| Emptying our bosomes, of their counsell sweld: | Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet, | | MND I.i.216 | |
| There my Lysander, and my selfe shall meete, | There my Lysander and myself shall meet, | | MND I.i.217 | |
| And thence from Athens turne away our eyes | And thence from Athens turn away our eyes | | MND I.i.218 | |
| To seeke new friends and strange companions, | To seek new friends and stranger companies. | stranger (n.)foreigner, alien, outsider | MND I.i.219 | |
| | company (n.)companion, associate, comrade | | |
| Farwell sweet play-fellow, pray thou for vs, | Farewell, sweet playfellow. Pray thou for us; | | MND I.i.220 | |
| And good lucke grant thee thy Demetrius. | And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius. | | MND I.i.221 | |
| Keepe word Lysander we must starue our sight, | Keep word, Lysander. We must starve our sight | starve (v.)withhold [from], diet, be sparing with | MND I.i.222 | |
| From louers foode, till morrow deepe midnight. | From lovers' food till morrow deep midnight. | morrow (n.)morning | MND I.i.223 | |
| Lys. | LYSANDER | | | |
| I will my Hermia. | I will, my Hermia. | | MND I.i.224.1 | |
| Exit Hermia. | Exit Hermia | | MND I.i.224 | |
| Helena adieu, | Helena, adieu! | | MND I.i.224.2 | |
| As you on him, Demetrius dotes on you. | As you on him, Demetrius dote on you. | | MND I.i.225 | |
| Exit Lysander. | Exit Lysander | | MND I.i.225 | |
| Hele. | HELENA | | | |
| How happy some, ore othersome can be? | How happy some o'er other some can be! | | MND I.i.226 | |
| Through Athens I am thought as faire as she. | Through Athens I am thought as fair as she. | | MND I.i.227 | |
| But what of that? Demetrius thinkes not so: | But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; | | MND I.i.228 | |
| He will not know, what all, but he doth know, | He will not know what all but he do know. | | MND I.i.229 | |
| And as hee erres, doting on Hermias eyes; | And as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes, | | MND I.i.230 | |
| So I, admiring of his qualities: | So I, admiring of his qualities. | | MND I.i.231 | |
| Things base and vilde, holding no quantity, | Things base and vile, holding no quantity, | quantity (n.)equal amount, same proportion | MND I.i.232 | |
| | base (adj.)poor, wretched, of low quality | | |
| Loue can transpose to forme and dignity, | Love can transpose to form and dignity. | transpose (v.)change, transform, alter | MND I.i.233 | |
| Loue lookes not with the eyes, but with the minde, | Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, | | MND I.i.234 | |
| And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blinde. | And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. | | MND I.i.235 | |
| Nor hath loues minde of any iudgement taste: | Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste; | | MND I.i.236 | |
| Wings and no eyes, figure, vnheedy haste. | Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste. | figure (v.)symbolize, represent, portray | MND I.i.237 | |
| | unheedy (adj.)unheedful, headstrong, reckless | | |
| And therefore is Loue said to be a childe, | And therefore is love said to be a child | | MND I.i.238 | |
| Because in choise he is often beguil'd, | Because in choice he is so oft beguiled. | oft (adv.)often | MND I.i.239 | |
| As waggish boyes in game themselues forsweare; | As waggish boys in game themselves forswear, | waggish (adj.)playful, mischievous, impish | MND I.i.240 | |
| | forswear (v), past forms forsworn, forsworeswear falsely, perjure [oneself], break one's word | | |
| So the boy Loue is periur'd euery where. | So the boy love is perjured everywhere; | | MND I.i.241 | |
| For ere Demetrius lookt on Hermias eyne, | For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne | eyne (n.)[archaism] eyes | MND I.i.242 | |
| He hail'd downe oathes that he was onely mine. | He hailed down oaths that he was only mine, | | MND I.i.243 | |
| And when this Haile some heat from Hermia felt, | And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, | | MND I.i.244 | |
| So he dissolu'd, and showres of oathes did melt, | So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt. | dissolve (v.)melt, liquefy | MND I.i.245 | |
| I will goe tell him of faire Hermias flight: | I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight. | | MND I.i.246 | |
| Then to the wood will he, to morrow night | Then to the wood will he tomorrow night | | MND I.i.247 | |
| Pursue her; and for his intelligence, | Pursue her; and for this intelligence | intelligence (n.)information, news, communication | MND I.i.248 | |
| If I haue thankes, it is a deere expence: | If I have thanks it is a dear expense. | | MND I.i.249 | |
| But heerein meane I to enrich my paine, | But herein mean I to enrich my pain, | | MND I.i.250 | |
| To haue his sight thither, and backe againe. | To have his sight thither, and back again. | | MND I.i.251 | |
| Exit. | Exit | | MND I.i.251 | |