DEMETRIUS These things seem small and undistinguishable,
Like far-off mountains turned into clouds.
HERMIA Methinks I see these things with parted eye,
When everything seems double.
HELENA So methinks;
And I have found Demetrius, like a jewel
Mine own, and not mine own.
DEMETRIUS Are you sure
That we are awake? It seems to me
That yet we sleep, we dream. Do not you think
The duke was here, and bid us follow him?
HERMIA Yea, and my father.
HELENA And Hippolyta.
LYSANDER And he did bid us follow to the temple.
DEMETRIUS Why then, we are awake. Let’s follow him,
And by the way let us recount our dreams.
([Exeunt] lovers.) (4.1.186-198)
A final quartet from the lovers, its stichomythic line divisions suggesting the two couples’ unity and harmony once more. But they’re still entirely hazy, not surprisingly, as to what’s been going on, even Helena and Hermia, who have only sleep-deprivation and emotional exhaustion rather than almighty hangovers to contend with. Demetrius begins lyrically, but hesitantly: these things seem small and undistinguishable, like far-off mountains turned into clouds. The night’s events are slipping away from him, his memories fuzzy and vague; he’s not sure about anything, can’t make things out, as if they’re at the limits of perception; he’s not even sure what’s just happened. Hermia’s unsure too: methinks I see these things with parted eye, when everything seems double. We’re back on a double date, it seems; that’s good, right? So methinks—Helena seems more positive—and I have found Demetrius, like a jewel, mine own, and not mine own. Not her own because she’s not sure of him? because they’re not married yet? because he is still in possession of himself, rather than the weird, claustrophobic object of her obsession? Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream, wonders Demetrius. Gosh, there are bits coming back to me, perhaps? But—do you not think the duke was here, and bid us follow him? Yea—yes!—and my father, offers Hermia. Things are falling into place, and we can’t all be having the same dream, can we? (You’d think so, but…) And Hippolyta—yes, she was here too! adds Helena. And he did bid us follow to the temple: so we’d better get a move on, is Lysander’s contribution. Why then, we are awake, we all agree, concludes Demetrius. Good. Let’s follow him, and by the way let us recount our dreams. Sharing session, obviously, but we REALLY need to get our story straight before anyone starts asking any more awkward questions…
Exit the lovers, in whatever state of undress and dishevelment—and wonder—seems most appropriate. To a hot shower, a bacon sandwich (or whatever morning after the night before breakfast seems most fitting) and a great deal of strong coffee.
