Hel.With Demetrius.
Lys. Be not afraid: she shall not harm thee, Helena.321
Dem. No, sir; she shall not, though you take her part.
Hel. O! when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd.
She was a vixen when she went to school:324
And though she be but little, she is fierce.
Her. 'Little' again! nothing but 'low' and 'little'!
Why will you suffer her to flout me thus?
Let me come to her.
Lys.Get you gone, you dwarf;328
You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made;
You bead, you acorn!
Dem.You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services.
Let her alone; speak not of Helena;332
Take not her part, for, if thou dost intend
Never so little show of love to her,
Thou shalt aby it.
Lys.Now she holds me not;
Now follow, if thou dar'st, to try whose right,
Or thine or mine, is most in Helena.337
Dem. Follow! nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jole.
Exeunt Lysander and Demetrius.
Her. You, mistress, all this coil is long of you:
Nay, go not back.
Hel.I will not trust you, I,340
Nor longer stay in your curst company.
Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray,
My legs are longer though, to run away.[Exit.]
329 minimus: diminutive creature
hindering knot-grass; cf. n.
333 intend: pretend
338 jole: jaw
339 coil: turmoil
long of: because of
