Demetrius & helena

DEMETRIUS & HELENA

Background: Helena and Demetrius have run off into the woods searching for love. Helena is in love with Demetrius, but Demetrius is not in love with her. He is looking for Hermia.

DEMETRIUS

I love thee not, therefore pursue me not.

Where is Lysander and fair Hermia?
The one I'll slay, the other slayeth me.
Thou told'st me they were stolen unto this wood;
And here am I, and wode within this wood,
Because I cannot meet my Hermia.
Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more.
HELENA

You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant;

But yet you draw not iron, for my heart
Is true as steel: leave you your power to draw,
And I shall have no power to follow you.
DEMETRIUS

Do I entice you? do I speak you fair?

Or, rather, do I not in plainest truth
Tell you, I do not, nor I cannot love you?
HELENA

And even for that do I love you the more.

I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius,
The more you beat me, I will fawn on you:
Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me,
Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave,
Unworthy as I am, to follow you.
What worser place can I beg in your love,--
And yet a place of high respect with me,--
Than to be used as you use your dog?
DEMETRIUS

Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit;

For I am sick when I do look on thee.
HELENA

And I am sick when I look not on you.