Ay me, for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.
– William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1, Scene 1. Lysander ironically offers comfort to his love, Hermia, by telling her that the troubles they are experiencing show that their love is indeed true love. This is one of the most famous lines from the play. It is foreshadowing of all the confusion, conflict and complications that will arise for the lovers in the play.