Enter PUCK and DEMETRIUS.

PUCK  Ho, ho, ho! Coward, why com’st thou not?

DEMETRIUS   Abide me, if thou dar’st. For well I wot,

Thou run’st before me, shifting every place,

And dar’st not stand nor look me in the face.

Where art thou now?

PUCK                          Come hither. I am here.

DEMETRIUS   Nay then, thou mockst me. Thou shalt buy this dear

If ever I thy face by daylight see;

Now go thy way. Faintness constraineth me

To measure out my length on this cold bed.

By day’s approach look to be visited.     [Sleeps.]    (3.2.421-430)

The pace picks up: Puck imitates Lysander now, to draw Demetrius on, with a hunting cry, or a mocking laugh: ho, ho, ho! Coward, why com’st thou not? Come and have a go, you big sissy! Demetrius is confused and also running out of steam; abide me if thou dar’st, he says, wait for me, why don’t you? If you want to fight, stop running away! Thou run’st before me, shifting every place, and dar’st not stand nor look me in the face. Stop hiding from me; you’re the coward! Where art thou now? Come hither, I am here, retorts Puck (as Lysander). I’m right here! Right in front of you! Nay then, thou mock’st me, you’re not taking this seriously and I’ve had enough. Thou shalt buy this dear if ever I thy face by daylight see; now go thy way. I give up, but you’d better look out; I’ve got your number and I’m coming after you. When it’s light. Not now. Get out! But faintness constraineth me to measure out my length on this cold bed. I’m SO tired all of a sudden, I think I’ll just have a little nap, right here, even though it’s not exactly comfortable. A final threat from Demetrius, before he conks out on the ground: by day’s approach look to be visited! This is just a temporary cessation of hostilities! Grrrr!