Act I, Scene 1 — The Course of True Love
from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Written by William Shakespeare
Hermia and Lysander lament the difficulties of their forbidden love before Lysander proposes a plan to flee Athens and marry in secret at his aunt's house. They exchange vows of loyalty and agree to meet in the woods the following night.
LYSANDER: Ay me! for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.
HERMIA: If then true lovers have been ever cross'd,
It stands as an edict in destiny:
Then let us teach our trial patience,
Because it is a customary cross.
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Act I, Scene 1 — Helena's Soliloquy
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Oberon describes a lush, magical grove where Titania sleeps before plotting to use a magical flower juice to manipulate the affections of both his queen and a young Athenian man. He instructs his servant to use the potion to ensure a disdainful youth falls in love with the woman pursuing him.
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