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, folding 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 beguiled. 

As waggish boys in game themselves forswear, 

So the boy Love is perjured 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 dissolved, 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]

final da primeira cena de Sonho de uma noite de verão, 
Shakespeare, 1595