Your eyes are lode-stars and your tongue’s sweet air
More tunable than lark to shepherd’s ear
When wheat is green, when hawthorn buds appear.
– William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1, Scene 1. Helena uses metaphors to compare Hermia’s eyes to stars that guide ships at night and her tongue to the sweet music of the lark as heard by the shepherd. She is referring to her beautiful friend’s abilities to attract and enchant Demetrius. Her praise of Hermia’s beauty and the manner in which she belittles herself and compares herself unfavorably to her friend seems excessive. This arises from Helena’s insecurities and low self-esteem.