Page:A Midsummer-Nights Dream (Rackham).djvu/138

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82
A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM
act iii


Helena.

O, when she’s angry, she is keen and shrewd!
She was a vixen when she went to school;
And though she be but little, she is fierce.

Hermia.

‘Little’ again! nothing but ‘low’ and ‘little’!
Why will you suffer her to flout me thus?
Let me come to her.

Lysander.

Let me come to her. Get you gone, you dwarf;
You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made;
You bead, you acorn.

Demetrius.

You bead, you acorn. You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services.
Let her alone: speak not of Helena;
Take not her part; for, if thou dost intend
Never so little show of love to her,
Thou shalt aby it.

Lysander.

Thou shalt aby it. Now she holds me not;
Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right,
Of thine or mine, is most in Helena.

Demetrius.

Follow nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jole.
[Exeunt Lysander and Demetrius.