Songs in the moonlight.
Hermia
In a city called Athens, there once lived a very beautiful young girl. Her name was Hermia. She was rather small, but very good looking. She had blue eyes, beautiful golden-red hair, and she was just sixteen years old.
Like all beautiful young girls Hermia had a boyfriend. He, too, was young. He was also strong, clever, well-dressed, and very handsome. He came from a good family, had plenty of money, was always very well-behaved, and had a wonderful sense of humour. At least, that is what Hermia thought about her sweetheart, Lysander. The two young people loved each other very much.
However, as you may imagine, there were problems.
At the Duke's Palace
One morning Hermia, her father, Lysander and one other young man called Demetrius hurried into the palace of the Duke of Athens. The Duke was the most important man in the city, and they were going to see him because there was big, big trouble.
A servant took them to a large room. The four walked in, all looking very angry. There they found the Duke, talking to a group of people.
The Duke looked round. He saw Hermia's father. He had known him for many years. He quickly finished what he was saying to the others, and turned to greet him.
'Welcome, Egeus,' he said. 'How are you, my old friend?'
'Very angry with this daughter of mine, sir,' replied Egeus.
The Duke was surprised. 'Well, tell me all about it, then,' he
said, sitting down in a chair.
Egeus took the arm of the young man, Demetrius. He made him stand in front of the Duke.
'This,' said Egeus, ' is Demetrius. He wants to marry my daughter, Hermia, and I have said he can.'
'Go on,' said the Duke.
Egeus then took Lysander's arm and made him stand in front of the Duke.
'This, sir, is Lysander,' he said. 'He has done some very bad things to my daughter.'
'I see,' said the Duke, looking serious. 'So, Lysander, what bad things have you been doing to Hermia?' he asked.
Lysander's faults
Lysander was about to speak, but Egeus would not let him. He pulled him back. Egeus wanted to tell the Duke about Lysander himself.
'Well, sir, he has sent her some poetry,' said Egeus.
'Poetry?', said the Duke in surprise. 'Did you say 'poetry'?'
'Yes, sir. And he has given her a ring.'
'Poetry, and a ring?' said the Duke.
'And he has sung songs to her.'
'He has sung songs to Hermia?'
'Yes, sir. At night, in the moonlight. He came to our house. He stood outside, under my daughter's bedroom window, and he sang songs to her in the moonlight. Love songs, sir!'
'Love songs. In the moonlight,' said the Duke. 'I see. And why
is all this so bad?'
'Because it is all a trick, sir. None of it is true. This Lysander does not love my daughter at all. He is just playing a game with her. And my silly daughter cannot see it. She thinks he loves her. Love!' said Egeus angrily.
'Has he done anything else --anything worse than these things?' asked the Duke.
'Yes, sir. Somehow he has changed my daughter. Before he started playing his wicked tricks she was a good girl, sir. She was very obedient. She would listen to me, and do anything I said. Now he has stolen her heart from me, and she will do nothing. She just gets angry with me, her poor old father.'