"So, with two seeming bodies but one heart, / Two of the first -- like coats in heraldry, / Due but to one and crownèd with one crest."
— Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Work Title
Date
1600
Metaphor
"So, with two seeming bodies but one heart, / Two of the first -- like coats in heraldry, / Due but to one and crownèd with one crest."
Metaphor in Context
HELENA
Lo, she is one of this confederacy.
Now I perceive they have conjoined all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me. --
Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid,
Have you conspired, have you with these contrived
To bait me with this foul derision?
Is all the counsel that we two have shared --
The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent
When we have chid the hasty-footed time
For parting us -- O, is all quite forgot?
All schooldays' friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grew together,
Like to a double cherry: seeming parted,
But yet an union in partition,
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem.
So, with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first -- like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest.
And will you rend our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
It is not friendly, 'tis not maidenly.
Our sex as well as I may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
(III.ii.193-220)
Lo, she is one of this confederacy.
Now I perceive they have conjoined all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me. --
Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid,
Have you conspired, have you with these contrived
To bait me with this foul derision?
Is all the counsel that we two have shared --
The sisters' vows, the hours that we have spent
When we have chid the hasty-footed time
For parting us -- O, is all quite forgot?
All schooldays' friendship, childhood innocence?
We, Hermia, like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower,
Both on one sampler, sitting on one cushion,
Both warbling of one song, both in one key,
As if our hands, our sides, voices, and minds
Had been incorporate. So we grew together,
Like to a double cherry: seeming parted,
But yet an union in partition,
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem.
So, with two seeming bodies but one heart,
Two of the first -- like coats in heraldry,
Due but to one and crownèd with one crest.
And will you rend our ancient love asunder,
To join with men in scorning your poor friend?
It is not friendly, 'tis not maidenly.
Our sex as well as I may chide you for it,
Though I alone do feel the injury.
(III.ii.193-220)
Categories
Provenance
HDIS
Citation
Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works. Oxford Shakespeare. Electronic Edition for the IBM PC. Stanley Wells and Gary Taylor, Editor.
Date of Entry
08/08/2003
