Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/171

Rh of an aunt of his, who lived in a place not subject to the laws of Athens, and who would not refuse her aid to their unhappy love. But unfortunately, night overtook them wandering in the mazes of the forest; and, tired with their flight, they lay down at the foot of some old trees, at a little distance from each other, to sleep. Thus Puck, skirting the forest in search of the Athenians his master had described, came upon them, and stopped to gaze. The rosy cheek of Hermia pressed the moss-covered earth which was her pillow, and her breast rose and fell with the deep breath of slumber. Near by lay Lysander, with his drawn sword by his side, ready to protect his love from any danger. He also slept a deep, unconscious sleep.

The obedient Puck fancied this was the unhappy lady whose love was scorned by the Athenian knight, and squeezed the purple flower upon Lysander’s eyelids. This would have wrought no harm if, a moment after, Helena had not happened to pass that way, still in search of Demetrius; and awaking at her footstep, Lysander first fixed his eyes on her. Under the influence of the fatal charm, he forgot his loyalty, forgot the sleeping Hermia, and poured forth protestations of love to Helena. She, imagining Lysander did but mock her, ran away, and he pursued, leaving Hermia forgotten on the damp ground.