Helena Monologue

Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste.

And therefore is Love said to be a child,

Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind.

And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so.

He will not know what all but he do know.

For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne,

He hailed down oaths that he was only mine.

Helena, adieu. As you on him, Demetrius dote in you!

How happy some o'er other some can be!

He hailed down oaths that he was only mine.

I will go tell him if fair Hermia's flight.

Then to the wood will he tomorrow night

Pursue her. And for this intelligence

I will go tell him if fair Hermia's flight.

Then to the wood will he tomorrow night

How happy some o'er other some can be!

Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.

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.

If I have thanks, it is a dear expense

But herein mean I to enrich my pain,

Through Athens I am thought as fair as she.

But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so.

Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.

For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne,

Pursue her. And for this intelligence

If I have thanks, it is a dear expense

He will not know what all but he do know.

Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind.

And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste—

But herein mean I to enrich my pain,

To have his sight thither and back again.