HERMIA         Lysander riddles very prettily.

Now much beshrew my manners and my pride

If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied.

But gentle friend, for love and courtesy,

Lie further off, in human modesty:

Such separation as may well be said

Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid,

So far be distant, and good night, sweet friend.

Thy love ne’er alter till thy sweet life end.

LYSANDER     Amen, amen, to that fair prayer say I,

And then end life, when I end loyalty.

Here is my bed; sleep give thee all his rest.

HERMIA         With half that wish the wisher’s eyes be pressed.     (They sleep.)            (2.2.57-69)

Hermia has very much got Lysander’s measure, and holds her ground with some style: Lysander riddles very prettily. INDEED, and she’s not going to be swayed by such charm. Now much beshrew my manners and my pride if Hermia meant to say Lysander lied. Of course I’m not implying that, darling, I know you mean well, I know how much you love me and that your intentions are entirely honourable! Well played, but no. But gentle friend—it’s a loving address, but also appeals to him as a gentleman—for love and courtesy (and the latter matters more, again, reminding Lysander of his honour, and of the conduct proper to young people of their social status), lie further off, in human modesty. Come ON. Give over, you know that what you’re suggesting is absolutely not the done thing. And therefore, such separation as may well be said becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid, so far be distant. You need to be far enough away from me for there to be absolutely no ambiguity (and no accidentally-on-purpose stretching out and snuggling, either). We’ve got to be unimpeachable, both of us. And good night, sweet friend! Love you! Thy love ne’er alter till thy sweet life end: please love me all the same, and for ever! Lysander makes the best of it, although there can be a note of frustrated irony: amen, amen, to that fair prayer say I, and then end life, when I end loyalty. I know when I’m defeated. I’ll love you util I die, and if I stop loving you, and being faithful to you, I might as well be dead. So here is my bed—look, this lovely bit of hard forest floor, positively MILES away from you—sleep give thee all his rest. Sweet dreams! With half that wish the wisher’s eyes be pressed: and I wish you absolutely the same, my darling! replies Hermia. Night-night!