For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia’s eyne,
He hailed down oaths that he was only mine;
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt,
So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt.
– William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1, Scene 1. Helena speaks about Demetrius’ fickleness in love. Before he became attracted to Hermia, Helena reveals that he swore oaths that he belonged only to her. She uses a metaphor to compare his promises to showers of hail. When he looked into Hermia’s beautiful eyes, Helena claims that these promises melted away from the heat of his attraction for Hermia. Helena’s jealousy of Hermia is obvious from her angry words.