EGEUS

      Full of vexation come I, with complaint

      Against my child, my daughter Hermia.—

      Stand forth, Demetrius. – My noble lord,

      This man hath my consent to marry her —

      Stand forth, Lysander;—and, my gracious duke,

      This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child.

      Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes,

      And interchang'd love-tokens with my child:

      Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung,

      With feigning voice, verses of feigning love;

      And stol'n the impression of her fantasy

      With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gawds, conceits,

      Knacks, trifles, nosegays, sweetmeats, – messengers

      Of strong prevailment in unharden'd youth;—

      With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughter's heart;

      Turned her obedience, which is due to me,

      To stubborn harshness. – And, my gracious duke,

      Be it so she will not here before your grace

      Consent to marry with Demetrius,

      I beg the ancient privilege of Athens,—

      As she is mine I may dispose of her:

      Which shall be either to this gentleman

      Or to her death; according to our law

      Immediately provided in that case.