Helena’s speeches and analyses.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Iago & Othello
Source
Arden 3 |E.A.J. Honigmann. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1997.
Othello
90Excellent wretch! perdition catch my soul
91But I do love thee! and when I love thee not
92Chaos is come again.
Iago
93My noble lord –
Othello
93What dost thou say, Iago?
Iago
94Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady,
95Know of your love?
Othello
95He did, from first to last.
96Why dost thou ask?
Iago
97But for a satisfaction of my thought,
98No further harm.
Othello
98Why of thy thought, Iago?
Iago
99I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
Othello
100O yes, and went between us very oft.
Iago
101Indeed?
Othello
102Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern’st thou aught in that?
215
103Is he not honest?
Iago
104Honest, my lord?
Othello
105Honest? Ay, honest.
Iago
106My lord, for aught I know.
Othello
107What dost thou think?
Iago
108Think, my lord?
Othello
109Think, my lord! By heaven, thou echo’st me
110As if there were some monster in thy thought
111Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something,
112I heard thee say even now thou lik’st not that
113When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
114And when I told thee he was of my counsel
115In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst ‘Indeed?’
116And didst contract and purse thy brow together
117As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
118Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me
119Show me thy thought.
Iago
119My lord, you know I love you.
Othello
120I think thou dost.
121And for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty
122And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath,
216
123Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more.
124For such things in a false disloyal knave
125Are tricks of custom, but in a man that’s just
126They’re close delations, working from the heart,
127That passion cannot rule.
Iago
127For Michael Cassio,
128I dare be sworn, I think, that he is honest.
Othello
129I think so too.
Iago
129Men should be what they seem,
130Or those that be not, would they might seem none.
Othello
131Certain, men should be what they seem.
Iago
132Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man.
Othello
133Nay, yet there’s more in this:
134I prithee speak to me, as to thy thinkings,
135As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
136The worst of words.
Iago
136Good my lord, pardon me;
217
137Though I am bound to every act of duty
138I am not bound to that all slaves are free to –
139Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false?
140As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
141Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure
142But some uncleanly apprehensions
143Keep leets and law-days and in session sit
144With meditations lawful?
Othello
145Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
146If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear
147stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago
147I do beseech you,
148Though I perchance am vicious in my guess
149– As I confess it is my nature’s plague
150To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
151Shapes faults that are not – that your wisdom
152From one that so imperfectly conceits
153Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
154Out of his scattering and unsure observance:
218
155It were not for your quiet nor your good
156Nor for my manhood, honesty and wisdom
157To let you know my thoughts.
Othello
157Zounds! What dost thou mean?
Iago
158Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
159Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
160Who steals my purse steals trash – ’tis something-nothing,
161’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands –
162But he that filches from me my good name
163Robs me of that which not enriches him
164And makes me poor indeed.
Othello
164By heaven, I’ll know thy thoughts!
Iago
165You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
166Nor shall not whilst ’tis in my custody.
Othello
167Ha!
Iago
167O beware, my lord, of jealousy!
168It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
219
169The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
170Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,
171But O, what damned minutes tells he o’er
172Who dotes yet doubts, suspects yet strongly loves!
Othello
173O misery!
Iago
174Poor and content is rich, and rich enough,
175But riches fineless is as poor as winter
176To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
177Good God , the souls of all my tribe defend
178From jealousy.
Othello
179Why – why is this?
180Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy
181To follow still the changes of the moon
182With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt
183Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat
184When I shall turn the business of my soul
220
185To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
186Matching thy inference. ‘Tis not to make me jealous
187To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
188Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well:
189Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
190Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
191The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
192For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,
193I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove,
194And on the proof there is no more but this:
195Away at once with love or jealousy!
Iago
196I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason
197To show the love and duty that I bear you
198With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
199Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof:
221
200Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio.
201Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure;
202I would not have your free and noble nature
203Out of self-bounty be abused: look to’t.
204I know our country disposition well –
205In Venice they do let God see the pranks
206They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience
207Is not to leave’t undone, but keep’t unknown.
Othello
208Dost thou say so?
Iago
209She did deceive her father, marrying you,
210And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks,
211She loved them most.
Othello
211And so she did.
Iago
211Why, go to then:
212She that so young could give out such a seeming
213To seel her father’s eyes up, close as oak –
222
214He thought ’twas witchcraft. But I am much to blame,
215I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
216For too much loving you.
Othello
217I am bound to thee for ever.
Iago
218I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.
Othello
219Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago
219I’faith, I fear it has.
220I hope you will consider what is spoke
221Comes from my love. But I do see you’re moved;
222I am to pray you not to strain my speech
223To grosser issues nor to larger reach
224Than to suspicion.
Othello
225I will not.
Iago
225Should you do so, my lord,
226My speech should fall into such vile success
227As my thoughts aimed not at: Cassio’s my worthy friend.
223
228My lord, I see you’re moved.
Othello
228No, not much moved.
229I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.
Iago
230Long live she so; and long live you to think so.
Othello
231And yet how nature, erring from itself –
Iago
232Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you,
233Not to affect many proposed matches
234Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
235Whereto we see, in all things, nature tends –
236Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,
237Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.
238But pardon me, I do not in position
239Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
240Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
241May fall to match you with her country forms,
242And happily repent.
Othello
242Farewell, farewell.
224
243If more thou dost perceive, let me know more:
244Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.
Iago
245My lord, I take my leave.
Othello
245Why did I marry?
246This honest creature doubtless
247Sees and knows more – much more – than he unfolds.
Iago
248My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
249To scan this thing no farther. Leave it to time;
250Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place,
251For sure he fills it up with great ability,
252Yet if you please to hold him off a while
253You shall by that perceive him, and his means:
254Note if your lady strain his entertainment
255With any strong or vehement importunity,
256Much will be seen in that. In the meantime
257Let me be thought too busy in my fears
258– As worthy cause I have to fear I am –
259And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Othello
260Fear not my government.
Iago
261I once more take my leave.(Exit.)
Thought Counts
Arden | 1979
Thoughts |TBD
Short: 3
Medium: 4
Long: 2
Total: 9
End-stopped: 8
Mid-line: 1
Periods: 7
Exclamations: 1
Questions: 1
Unfinished: 0
Helena needs the audience to
Thoughts
Arden | 1979
HELENA
1. How happy some o’er other some can be!
2. Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
3. But what of that? 4. Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know;
And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities.
5. Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind;
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.
6. And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d.
7. As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt.
8. I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night,
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.
9. But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither and back again.
Exit
Line Analysis
Arden | 1979
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be! 10R
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she. 10R
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; 10R | 11
He will not know what all but he do know; 10R mono
And as he errs, doting on Hermia‘s eyes, 10R | 11
So I, admiring of his qualities. 10R
Things base and vile, holding no quantity, 10
Love can transpose to form and dignity: 10
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, 10 | 10R
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind; 10R | 10
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste: 10R
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste. 10
And therefore is Love said to be a child, 10R
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d. 10R
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear, 10R
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where; 10
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne, 10R
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine; 10R
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, 10R
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt. 10R | 11
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight: 10R | 10
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night, 10
Pursue her; and for this intelligence 10R
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense. 10R
But herein mean I to enrich my pain, 10R
To have his sight thither and back again. 10
Exit
Pacing and Tempo
Arden | 1979
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be! pause
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she. pause carefully
But what of that? <c, quickly> Demetrius thinks not so; slowly |
He will not know what all but he do know; slowly
And as he errs, <c> doting on Hermia’s eyes, slowly |
So I, <c> admiring of his qualities. pause
Things base and vile, <c> holding no quantity,
Love can transpose <c> to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, <c> but with the mind, slowly
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind;
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings <c> and no eyes <c> figure unheedy haste. pause
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d. pause
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, <c> ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine; slowly
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, slowly?
So he dissolv’d, <c> and showers of oaths did melt. pause
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night,
Pursue her; <c> and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, <c> it is a dear expense. pause
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither <c> and back again. pause
Exit
Repeated Sounds
Arden | 1979
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be!
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know;
And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities.
Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind;
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d.
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt.
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night,
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither and back again.
Exit
Rhetoric
Arden | 1979
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be! (comparison)
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she. (comparison)
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; (formidable phraseology)
He will not know what all but he do know; (antithesis)
And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes, (antithesis, imagery)
So I, admiring of his qualities. (imagery)
Things base and vile, holding no quantity, (imagery, antithesis, this and that)
Love can transpose to form and dignity: (this and that)
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, (antithesis)
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind; (imagery)
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste. (imagery, comparison, this and that)
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d. (imagery, comparison)
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear, (simile, comparison, imagery)
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine; (metaphor, imagery)
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, (imagery)
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt. (imagery, antithesis)
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night, (imagery)
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither and back again. (this and that)
Exit
Before and After
Arden | 1979
HERMIA
And in the wood, where often you and I
Upon faint primrose-beds were wont to lie,
Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet,
There my Lysander and myself shall meet;
And thence from Athens turn away our eyes,
To seek new friends and stranger companies.
Farewell, sweet playfellow: pray thou for us;
And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius!
Keep word, Lysander: we must starve our sight
From lovers’ food till morrow deep midnight.
LYSANDER
I will, my Hermia.
Exit HERMIA
Helena, adieu:
As you on him, Demetrius dote on you!
Exit
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be!
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know;
And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities.
Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind;
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d.
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt.
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night,
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither and back again.
Exit
Definitions
Arden | 1979
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be!
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know;
And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities.
Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind;
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d.
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt.
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night,
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither and back again.
Exit
Translation
Arden | 1979
HELENA
How happy some o’er other some can be!
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.
But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so;
He will not know what all but he do know;
And as he errs, doting on Hermia’s eyes,
So I, admiring of his qualities.
Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity:
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind;
Nor hath Love’s mind of any judgement taste:
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d.
As waggish boys, in game, themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjur’d every where;
For, ere Demetrius look’d on Hermia’s eyne,
He hail’d down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolv’d, and showers of oaths did melt.
I will go tell him of fair Hermia’s flight:
Then to the wood will he to-morrow night,
Pursue her; and for this intelligence
If I have thanks, it is a dear expense.
But herein mean I to enrich my pain,
To have his sight thither and back again.
Exit
Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
Source
Oxford | Roma Gill. London: Oxford University Press, 2001
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
Now I perceive they have conjoin’d all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me.
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, is all forgot?
All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grow together
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet an union in partitiön;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest.
And will you rent our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
Thought Counts
Oxford | 2001
Thoughts |TBD
Short: 4
Medium: 5
Long: 2
Total: 11
End-stopped: 9
Mid-line: 2
Periods: 5
Exclamations: 1
Questions: 4
Unfinished: 1
Helena needs the audience:
to show sympathy for her.
Helena needs Hermia:
to demonstrate satisfactory acknowledgement of her hurt
Thoughts
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
1. Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
2. Now I perceive they have conjoin’d all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me.
3. Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid,
Have you conspir’d, have you with these contriv’d
To bait me with this foul derision?
4. 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– 5. O, is all forgot?
6. All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence?
7. We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. 8. So we grow together
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet an union in partition;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crowned with one crest.
9. And will you rent our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
10. It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.
11. Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
Line Analysis
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy! 10 | 11
Now I perceive they have conjoin’d all three 10
To fashion this false sport in spite of me. 10R
Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid, 10R | 11 | 12
Have you conspir’d, have you with these contriv’d 10R | 10
To bait me with this foul derisiön? 10R
Is all the counsel that we two have shar’d, 10R
The sister’s vows, the hours that we have spent 10R
When we have chid the hasty-footed time 10R
For parting us–O, is all forgot? 9
All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence? 10R | 10
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods 10 | 11 stretch
Have with our needles created both one flower, 11w | 12w
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion, 11w
Both warbling of one song, both in one key, 10R | 10
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds 10
Had been incorporate. So we grew together 11w | 12
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted, 11w
But yet an union in partitiön; 10R | 10
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem; 10R | 10
So with two seeming bodies but one heart, 10
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry, 10
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest. 10R | 10
And will you rent our ancient love asunder, 11w
To join with men in scorning your poor friend? 10R | 10
It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly. 10R
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it, 11w
Though I alone do feel the injury. 10R
Phrasing and Tempo
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
Lo, <c> she is one of this confederacy! pause
Now I perceive <c> they have conjoin’d<c> all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me. pause slowly
Injurious Hermia,<c> most ungrateful maid,
Have you conspir’d,<c> have you with these contriv’d carefully
To bait me with this foul derision? pause carefully
Is all the counsel that we two have shar’d,
The sister’s vows,<c> the hours that we have spent slowly?
When we have chid the hasty-footed time
For parting us–<c> <pause> O, is all forgot? pause
All school-days’ friendship,<c> childhood innocence? pause
We,<c> Hermia, <c> like two artificial gods
Have with our needles <c> created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, <c> sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song,<c> both in one key, slowly?
As if our hands,<c> our sides,<c> voices,<c> and minds slowly?
Had been incorporate.<c><quickly> So we grew together carefully
Like to a double cherry,<c> seeming parted,
But yet an union in partitiön; slowly
Two lovely berries <c> moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies <c> but one heart,
Two of the first,<c> like coats in heraldry, carefully
Due but to one <c> and crownèd with one crest. pause carefully
And will you rent our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend? pause
It is not friendly, <c> ’tis not maidenly. pause
Our sex, <c> as well as I,<c> may chide you for it, slow
Though I alone do feel the injury.
Repeated Sounds
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
Lo, shee is one of this confederacee!
Now I perseeve they have conjoh-een’d all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of mee.
Injeree-us Hermee-ah, most ungreh-eeteful meh-eed,
Have you conspah-eer’d, have you with these contrah–eev’d
To beh-eet mee with this foul derision?
Is all the counsel that oow-ee two have shar’d,
The sister’s vows, the howrs that oow-ee have spent
When we have chid the hasty-footed time
For parting us–O, is it all forgot?
All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles cree-eh-eeted both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grow together
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet an union in partition;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crowned with one crest.
And will you rent our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
Rhetoric
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
Now I perceive they have conjoin’d all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me.
Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid,
Have you conspir’d, have you with these contriv’d
To bait me with this foul derision? (imagery, implied metaphor)
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 (imagery, list)
For parting us–O, is all forgot?
All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence? (imagery)
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods (simile, imagery)
Have with our needles created both one flower, (paradox, antithesis)
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion, (imagery)
Both warbling of one song, both in one key, (imagery)
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds (simile, comparison, paradox, repetition)
Had been incorporate. So we grew together
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted, (simile, imagery)
But yet an union in partitiön; (paradox)
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem; (metaphor, imagery, repetition)
So with two seeming bodies but one heart, (paradox)
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry, (metaphor, simile, comparison, imagery)
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest.
And will you rent our ancient love asunder, (imagery, anthesis)
To join with men in scorning your poor friend? (antithesis)
It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it, (hyperbole, imagery, personification, antithesis)
Though I alone do feel the injury.
Before and After
Oxford | 2001
Enter Desdemona, Cassio and Emilia.
209
Desdemona
1Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do
2All my abilities in thy behalf.
Emilia
3Good madam, do, I warrant it grieves my husband
4As if the cause were his.
Desdemona
5O, that’s an honest fellow. Do not doubt, Cassio,
6But I will have my lord and you again
7As friendly as you were.
Cassio
7Bounteous madam,
8Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
9He’s never anything but your true servant.
Desdemona
10I know’t, I thank you. You do love my lord,
11You have known him long, and be you well assured
12He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
13Than in a politic distance.
Cassio
13Ay, but, lady,
14That policy may either last so long,
15Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
16Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
17That, I being absent and my place supplied,
18My general will forget my love and service.
Desdemona
19Do not doubt that: before Emilia here
210
20I give thee warrant of thy place. Assure thee,
21If I do vow a friendship I’ll perform it
22To the last article. My lord shall never rest,
23I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience,
24His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift,
25I’ll intermingle everything he does
26With Cassio’s suit: therefore be merry, Cassio,
27For thy solicitor shall rather die
28Than give thy cause away.
Enter Othello and Iago.
Emilia
29Madam, here comes my lord.
Cassio
30Madam, I’ll take my leave.
Desdemona
31Why, stay and hear me speak.
Cassio
32Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease,
33Unfit for mine own purposes.
Desdemona
34Well, do your discretion.(Exit Cassio.)
Iago
34Ha, I like not that.
Othello
35What dost thou say?
Iago
36Nothing, my lord; or if – I know not what.
211
Othello
37Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?
Iago
38Cassio, my lord? no, sure, I cannot think it
39That he would steal away so guilty-like
40Seeing you coming.
Othello
40I do believe ’twas he.
Desdemona
41How now, my lord?
42I have been talking with a suitor here,
43A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Othello
44Who is’t you mean?
Desdemona
45Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,
46If I have any grace or power to move you
47His present reconciliation take:
48For if he be not one that truly loves you,
49That errs in ignorance and not in cunning,
50I have no judgement in an honest face.
51I prithee, call him back.
Othello
51Went he hence now?
Desdemona
52Yes, faith, so humbled
53That he hath left part of his grief with me
54To suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
Othello
55Not now, sweet Desdemon, some other time.
Desdemona
56But shall’t be shortly?
Othello
56The sooner, sweet, for you.
212
Desdemona
57Shall’t be tonight, at supper?
Othello
57No, not tonight.
Desdemona
58Tomorrow dinner then?
Othello
58I shall not dine at home.
59I meet the captains at the citadel.
Desdemona
60Why then, tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn;
61On Tuesday, noon or night; on Wednesday morn!
62I prithee name the time, but let it not
63Exceed three days: i’faith, he’s penitent,
64And yet his trespass, in our common reason
65– Save that they say the wars must make examples
66Out of their best – is not, almost, a fault
67T’incur a private check. When shall he come?
68Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul
69What you would ask me that I should deny
70Or stand so mamm’ring on? What, Michael Cassio
71That came a-wooing with you? and so many a time
72When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
73Hath ta’en your part, to have so much to do
74To bring him in? By’r lady, I could do much! –
213
Othello
75Prithee, no more. Let him come when he will,
76I will deny thee nothing.
Desdemona
76Why, this is not a boon,
77’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
78Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,
79Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
80To your own person. Nay, when I have a suit
81Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed
82It shall be full of poise and difficult weight
83And fearful to be granted.
Othello
83I will deny thee nothing.
84Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this,
85To leave me but a little to myself.
Desdemona
86Shall I deny you? No, farewell, my lord.
Othello
87Farewell, my Desdemona, I’ll come to thee straight.
Desdemona
88Emilia, come. – Be as your fancies teach you:
89Whate’er you be, I am obedient.
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia.
214
Othello
90Excellent wretch! perdition catch my soul
91But I do love thee! and when I love thee not
92Chaos is come again.
Iago
93My noble lord –
Othello
93What dost thou say, Iago?
Iago
94Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady,
95Know of your love?
Othello
95He did, from first to last.
96Why dost thou ask?
Iago
97But for a satisfaction of my thought,
98No further harm.
Othello
98Why of thy thought, Iago?
Iago
99I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
Othello
100O yes, and went between us very oft.
Iago
101Indeed?
Othello
102Indeed? Ay, indeed. Discern’st thou aught in that?
215
103Is he not honest?
Iago
104Honest, my lord?
Othello
105Honest? Ay, honest.
Iago
106My lord, for aught I know.
Othello
107What dost thou think?
Iago
108Think, my lord?
Othello
109Think, my lord! By heaven, thou echo’st me
110As if there were some monster in thy thought
111Too hideous to be shown. Thou dost mean something,
112I heard thee say even now thou lik’st not that
113When Cassio left my wife: what didst not like?
114And when I told thee he was of my counsel
115In my whole course of wooing, thou criedst ‘Indeed?’
116And didst contract and purse thy brow together
117As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
118Some horrible conceit. If thou dost love me
119Show me thy thought.
Iago
119My lord, you know I love you.
Othello
120I think thou dost.
121And for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty
122And weigh’st thy words before thou giv’st them breath,
216
123Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more.
124For such things in a false disloyal knave
125Are tricks of custom, but in a man that’s just
126They’re close delations, working from the heart,
127That passion cannot rule.
Iago
127For Michael Cassio,
128I dare be sworn, I think, that he is honest.
Othello
129I think so too.
Iago
129Men should be what they seem,
130Or those that be not, would they might seem none.
Othello
131Certain, men should be what they seem.
Iago
132Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man.
Othello
133Nay, yet there’s more in this:
134I prithee speak to me, as to thy thinkings,
135As thou dost ruminate, and give thy worst of thoughts
136The worst of words.
Iago
136Good my lord, pardon me;
217
137Though I am bound to every act of duty
138I am not bound to that all slaves are free to –
139Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false?
140As where’s that palace whereinto foul things
141Sometimes intrude not? Who has a breast so pure
142But some uncleanly apprehensions
143Keep leets and law-days and in session sit
144With meditations lawful?
Othello
145Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,
146If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear
147stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago
147I do beseech you,
148Though I perchance am vicious in my guess
149– As I confess it is my nature’s plague
150To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy
151Shapes faults that are not – that your wisdom
152From one that so imperfectly conceits
153Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble
154Out of his scattering and unsure observance:
218
155It were not for your quiet nor your good
156Nor for my manhood, honesty and wisdom
157To let you know my thoughts.
Othello
157Zounds! What dost thou mean?
Iago
158Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
159Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
160Who steals my purse steals trash – ’tis something-nothing,
161’Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands –
162But he that filches from me my good name
163Robs me of that which not enriches him
164And makes me poor indeed.
Othello
164By heaven, I’ll know thy thoughts!
Iago
165You cannot, if my heart were in your hand,
166Nor shall not whilst ’tis in my custody.
Othello
167Ha!
Iago
167O beware, my lord, of jealousy!
168It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
219
169The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss
170Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger,
171But O, what damned minutes tells he o’er
172Who dotes yet doubts, suspects yet strongly loves!
Othello
173O misery!
Iago
174Poor and content is rich, and rich enough,
175But riches fineless is as poor as winter
176To him that ever fears he shall be poor.
177Good God , the souls of all my tribe defend
178From jealousy.
Othello
179Why – why is this?
180Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy
181To follow still the changes of the moon
182With fresh suspicions? No: to be once in doubt
183Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat
184When I shall turn the business of my soul
220
185To such exsufflicate and blown surmises,
186Matching thy inference. ‘Tis not to make me jealous
187To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
188Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well:
189Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
190Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
191The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
192For she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,
193I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove,
194And on the proof there is no more but this:
195Away at once with love or jealousy!
Iago
196I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason
197To show the love and duty that I bear you
198With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
199Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof:
221
200Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio.
201Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure;
202I would not have your free and noble nature
203Out of self-bounty be abused: look to’t.
204I know our country disposition well –
205In Venice they do let God see the pranks
206They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience
207Is not to leave’t undone, but keep’t unknown.
Othello
208Dost thou say so?
Iago
209She did deceive her father, marrying you,
210And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks,
211She loved them most.
Othello
211And so she did.
Iago
211Why, go to then:
212She that so young could give out such a seeming
213To seel her father’s eyes up, close as oak –
222
214He thought ’twas witchcraft. But I am much to blame,
215I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
216For too much loving you.
Othello
217I am bound to thee for ever.
Iago
218I see this hath a little dashed your spirits.
Othello
219Not a jot, not a jot.
Iago
219I’faith, I fear it has.
220I hope you will consider what is spoke
221Comes from my love. But I do see you’re moved;
222I am to pray you not to strain my speech
223To grosser issues nor to larger reach
224Than to suspicion.
Othello
225I will not.
Iago
225Should you do so, my lord,
226My speech should fall into such vile success
227As my thoughts aimed not at: Cassio’s my worthy friend.
223
228My lord, I see you’re moved.
Othello
228No, not much moved.
229I do not think but Desdemona’s honest.
Iago
230Long live she so; and long live you to think so.
Othello
231And yet how nature, erring from itself –
Iago
232Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you,
233Not to affect many proposed matches
234Of her own clime, complexion and degree,
235Whereto we see, in all things, nature tends –
236Foh! one may smell in such a will most rank,
237Foul disproportion, thoughts unnatural.
238But pardon me, I do not in position
239Distinctly speak of her, though I may fear
240Her will, recoiling to her better judgement,
241May fall to match you with her country forms,
242And happily repent.
Othello
242Farewell, farewell.
224
243If more thou dost perceive, let me know more:
244Set on thy wife to observe. Leave me, Iago.
Iago
245My lord, I take my leave.
Othello
245Why did I marry?
246This honest creature doubtless
247Sees and knows more – much more – than he unfolds.
Iago
248My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
249To scan this thing no farther. Leave it to time;
250Although ’tis fit that Cassio have his place,
251For sure he fills it up with great ability,
252Yet if you please to hold him off a while
253You shall by that perceive him, and his means:
254Note if your lady strain his entertainment
255With any strong or vehement importunity,
256Much will be seen in that. In the meantime
257Let me be thought too busy in my fears
258– As worthy cause I have to fear I am –
259And hold her free, I do beseech your honour.
Othello
260Fear not my government.
Iago
261I once more take my leave.(Exit.)
225
Othello
262This fellow’s of exceeding honesty
263And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
264Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
265Though that her jesses were my dear heart-strings,
266I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind
267To prey at fortune. Haply for I am black
268And have not those soft parts of conversation
269That chamberers have, or for I am declined
270Into the vale of years yet that’s not much –
271She’s gone, I am abused, and my relief
272Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage
273That we can call these delicate creatures ours
274And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad
275And live upon the vapour of a dungeon
226
276Than keep a corner in the thing I love
277For others’ uses. Yet ’tis the plague of great ones,
278Prerogatived are they less than the base;
279’Tis destiny unshunnable, like death –
280Even then this forked plague is fated to us
281When we do quicken.
Enter Desdemona and Emilia.
281Look where she comes:
282If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself,
283I’ll not believe’t.
Desdemona
283How now, my dear Othello?
284Your dinner, and the generous islanders
285By you invited, do attend your presence.
Othello
286I am to blame.
Desdemona
286Why do you speak so faintly?
287Are you not well?
227
Othello
288I have a pain upon my forehead, here.
Desdemona
289Faith, that’s with watching, ’twill away again.
290Let me but bind it hard, within this hour
291It will be well.
Othello
291Your napkin is too little.
[She drops her handkerchief.]
292Let it alone. Come, I’ll go in with you.
Desdemona
293I am very sorry that you are not well.
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona.
Emilia
294I am glad I have found this napkin,
295This was her first remembrance from the Moor.
296My wayward husband hath a hundred times
297Wooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token
298– For he conjured her she should ever keep it –
299That she reserves it evermore about her
300To kiss and talk to. I’ll have the work ta’en out
301And give’t Iago: what he will do with it
302Heaven knows, not I,
228
303I nothing, but to please his fantasy.
Enter Iago.
Iago
304How now! What do you here alone?
Emilia
305Do not you chide, I have a thing for you –
Iago
306You have a thing for me? it is a common thing –
Emilia
307Ha?
Iago
308To have a foolish wife.
Emilia
309O, is that all? What will you give me now
310For that same handkerchief?
Iago
310What handkerchief?
Emilia
311What handkerchief?
312Why, that the Moor first gave to Desdemona,
313That which so often you did bid me steal.
Iago
314Hast stolen it from her?
Emilia
315No, faith, she let it drop by negligence
316And, to th’advantage, I being here, took’t up.
229
317Look, here it is.
Iago
317A good wench, give it me.
Emilia
318What will you do with’t, that you have been so earnest
319To have me filch it?
Iago
([Snatching it])
319Why, what’s that to you?
Emilia
320If it be not for some purpose of import
321Give’t me again. Poor lady, she’ll run mad
322When she shall lack it.
Iago
322Be not acknown on’t,
323I have use for it. Go, leave me.(Exit Emilia.)
324I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin
325And let him find it. Trifles light as air
326Are to the jealous confirmations strong
327As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.
328The Moor already changes with my poison:
329Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons
330Which at the first are scarce found to distaste
331But with a little art upon the blood
230
332Burn like the mines of sulphur.
Enter Othello.
332I did say so:
333Look where he comes. Not poppy nor mandragora
334Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world
335Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
336Which thou owedst yesterday.
Othello
336Ha! Ha! false to me?
Iago
337Why, how now, general? No more of that.
Othello
338Avaunt, be gone, thou hast set me on the rack!
339I swear ’tis better to be much abused
340Than but to know’t a little.
Iago
340How now, my lord?
Othello
341What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust?
342I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me,
343I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and merry;
231
344I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips;
345He that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen,
346Let him not know’t, and he’s not robbed at all.
Iago
347I am sorry to hear this.
Othello
348I had been happy if the general camp,
349Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body,
350So I had nothing known. O now for ever
351Farewell the tranquil mind, farewell content!
352Farewell the plumed troops and the big wars
353That makes ambition virtue! O farewell,
354Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,
355The spirit-stirring drum, th’ear-piercing fife,
356The royal banner, and all quality,
357Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!
232
358And, O you mortal engines whose rude throats
359Th’immortal Jove’s dread clamours counterfeit,
360Farewell: Othello’s occupation’s gone.
Iago
361Is’t possible? my lord?
Othello
362Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore,
363Be sure of it, give me the ocular proof,
[Catching hold of him]
364Or by the worth of man’s eternal soul
365Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
366Than answer my waked wrath!
Iago
366Is’t come to this?
Othello
367Make me to see’t, or at the least so prove it
368That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
369To hang a doubt on, or woe upon thy life!
Iago
370My noble lord –
233
Othello
371If thou dost slander her and torture me
372Never pray more, abandon all remorse;
373On horror’s head horrors accumulate,
374Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed,
375For nothing canst thou to damnation add
376Greater than that!
Iago
376O grace! O heaven forgive me!
377Are you a man? have you a soul, or sense?
378God buy you, take mine office. O wretched fool
379That lov’st to make thine honesty a vice!
380O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world,
381To be direct and honest is not safe.
382I thank you for this profit, and from hence
383I’ll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence.
Othello
384Nay, stay, thou shouldst be honest.
Iago
385I should be wise, for honesty’s a fool
234
386And loses that it works for.
Othello
386By the world,
387I think my wife be honest, and think she is not,
388I think that thou art just, and think thou art not.
389I’ll have some proof. Her name, that was as fresh
390As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black
391As mine own face. If there be cords or knives,
392Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams,
393I’ll not endure it. Would I were satisfied!
Iago
394I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion.
395I do repent me that I put it to you.
396You would be satisfied?
Othello
396Would? nay, and I will!
Iago
397And may – but how? how satisfied, my lord?
398Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on?
399Behold her topped?
Othello
399Death and damnation! O!
235
Iago
400It were a tedious difficulty, I think,
401To bring them to that prospect. Damn them then
402If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
403More than their own. What then? how then?
404What shall I say? where’s satisfaction?
405It is impossible you should see this
406Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
407As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
408As ignorance made drunk. But yet, I say,
409If imputation and strong circumstances
410Which lead directly to the door of truth
411Will give you satisfaction, you may have’t.
Othello
412Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.
Iago
413I do not like the office.
414But sith I am entered in this cause so far,
415Pricked to’t by foolish honesty and love,
236
416I will go on. I lay with Cassio lately
417And being troubled with a raging tooth
418I could not sleep. There are a kind of men
419So loose of soul that in their sleeps will mutter
420Their affairs – one of this kind is Cassio.
421In sleep I heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona,
422Let us be wary, let us hide our loves,’
423And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand,
424Cry ‘O sweet creature!’ and then kiss me hard
425As if he plucked up kisses by the roots
426That grew upon my lips, lay his leg o’er my thigh,
427And sigh, and kiss, and then cry ‘Cursed fate
428That gave thee to the Moor!’
Othello
428O monstrous! monstrous!
Iago
429Nay, this was but his dream.
Othello
430But this denoted a foregone conclusion.
237
Iago
431’Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream,
432And this may help to thicken other proofs
433That do demonstrate thinly.
Othello
434I’ll tear her all to pieces!
Iago
435Nay, yet be wise, yet we see nothing done,
436She may be honest yet. Tell me but this,
437Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
438Spotted with strawberries, in your wife’s hand?
Othello
439I gave her such a one, ’twas my first gift.
Iago
440I know not that, but such a handkerchief,
441I am sure it was your wife’s, did I today
442See Cassio wipe his beard with.
Othello
442If it be that –
238
Iago
443If it be that, or any that was hers,
444It speaks against her with the other proofs.
Othello
445O that the slave had forty thousand lives!
446One is too poor, too weak for my revenge.
447Now do I see ’tis true. Look here, Iago,
448All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven:
449’Tis gone!
450Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell,
451Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
452To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught,
453For ’tis of aspics’ tongues!
Iago
453Yet be content!
Othello
454O blood, blood, blood! (Othello kneels.)
Iago
455Patience, I say, your mind perhaps may change.
Othello
456Never, Iago. Like to the Pontic sea
239
457Whose icy current and compulsive course
458Ne’er keeps retiring ebb but keeps due on
459To the Propontic and the Hellespont:
460Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace
461Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love
462Till that a capable and wide revenge
463Swallow them up. Now by yond marble heaven
464In the due reverence of a sacred vow
465I here engage my words.
Iago
465Do not rise yet. (Iago kneels.)
466Witness, you ever-burning lights above,
467You elements that clip us round about,
468Witness that here Iago doth give up
469The execution of his wit, hands, heart,
470To wronged Othello’s service. Let him command
471And to obey shall be in me remorse
240
472What bloody business ever.
Othello
472I greet thy love
473Not with vain thanks but with acceptance bounteous,
474And will upon the instant put thee to’t.
475Within these three days let me hear thee say
476That Cassio’s not alive.
Iago
476My friend is dead,
477’Tis done – at your request. But let her live.
Othello
478Damn her, lewd minx: O damn her, damn her!
479Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw
480To furnish me with some swift means of death
481For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.
Iago
482I am your own for ever.
Definition
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
Now I perceive they have conjoin’d all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me.
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, is all forgot?
All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grow together
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet an union in partitiön;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest.
And will you rent our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
Translation
Oxford | 2001
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy!
Now I perceive they have conjoin’d all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me.
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, is all forgot?
All school-days’ friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grow together
Like to a double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet an union in partitiön;
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem;
So with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first, like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest.
And will you rent our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
It is not friendly, ’tis not maidenly.
Our sex, as well as I, may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.