A

M I D S U M M E R

N I G H T ' S

D R E A M

by William Shakespeare

Lovers' problems

After the Duke and his friends had walked out of the room, Hermia and Lysander were left alone together.

Hermia was thinking about what the Duke had said. In four days she would have to agree to marry Demetrius. If not, she would have to become a nun, or die. But she hated Demetrius. She only wanted to marry her sweetheart, Lysander. It seemed very unfair.

'Your face looks pale, my love,' said Lysander, taking Hermia by the hand.

'I think I shall cry,' said Hermia.

'Don't cry, dear Hermia,' said Lysander. 'You know, everyone says that the course of true love never did run smooth. There are always problems.'

'Well, we have so many problems,' said Hermia. 'that our love must be the truest ever.'

'That is right,' said Lysander. 'No-one in the whole world ever loved as truly as we do, and we will always love each other. So that, at least, should make us happy.'

'I suppose so,' said Hermia. But she did not look at all happy.

Lysander's aunt

Lysander thought for a while. Then he smiled. 'I know,' he said. 'There is something we can do. My aunt might help us.

'Your aunt?' said Hermia.

'My father's sister,' explained Lysander. 'She is rich, and she has no children, so she treats me like a son. She lives in a city a long way from here. You can go there and stay with her. I know you would like her, and she is sure to like you.'

'What good will that do?' asked Hermia.

'In my aunt's city the Duke of Athens has no power. He cannot order you to marry Demetrius if you are there,' Lysander explained.

'Can he make me become a nun, or have me killed?' asked Hermia.

'No, he cannot do anything to you. If you stay with my aunt, you can marry anyone you like. If you stay with her, then we can get married.'

'But your aunt's city is so far away. I do not know how to go there,' said Hermia.

'Oh, don't worry about that. I will take you there, of course,' said Lysander. 'Now, you go home and get ready for the journey. Tomorrow evening, meet me in the wood outside Athens, and we will run away together to my aunt's house.'

'Oh, Lysander,' said Hermia, smiling for the first time that day. 'That is a wonderful idea. I will go and get ready now. And I promise to meet you in the wood, tomorrow evening.'

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IN THE NEXT CHAPTER

Other people have other plans.

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