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1596
AMIDSUMMERNIGHT'SDREAM

byWilliamShakespeare

DRAMATISPERSONAE
THESEUS,DukeofAthens
EGEUS,fathertoHermia
LYSANDER,inlovewithHermia
DEMETRIUS,inlovewithHermia
PHILOSTRATE,MasteroftheRevelstoTheseus
QUINCE,acarpenter


SNUG,ajoiner
BOTTOM,aweaver
FLUTE,abellows-mender
SNOUT,atinker
STARVELING,atailor
HIPPOLYTA,QueenoftheAmazons,bethrothedtoTheseus
HERMIA,daughtertoEgeus,inlovewithLysander
HELENA,inlovewithDemetrius
OBERON,KingoftheFairies
TITANIA,QueenoftheFairies
PUCK,orROBINGOODFELLOW
PEASEBLOSSOM,fairy
COBWEB,fairy
MOTH,fairy

MUSTARDSEED,fairy
PROLOGUE,PYRAMUS,THISBY,WALL,MOONSHINE,LIONare
presented
by:
QUINCE,BOTTOM,FLUTE,SNOUT,STARVELING,ANDSNUG
OtherFairiesattendingtheirKingandQueen
AttendantsonTheseusandHippolyta

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SHAKESPEAREISCOPYRIGHT1990-1993BYWORLDLIBRARY,INC.,
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SCENE:Athensandawoodnearit
ACTI.SCENEI.Athens.ThepalaceofTHESEUS
EnterTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,PHILOSTRATE,andATTENDANTS
THESEUS.Now,fairHippolyta,ournuptialhour

Drawsonapace;fourhappydaysbringin
Anothermoon;but,O,methinks,howslow
Thisoldmoonwanes!Shelingersmydesires,
Liketoastep-dameoradowager,
Longwitheringoutayoungman'srevenue.
HIPPOLYTA.Fourdayswillquicklysteepthemselvesinnight;
Fournightswillquicklydreamawaythetime;
Andthenthemoon,liketoasilverbow
New-bentinheaven,shallbeholdthenight
Ofoursolemnities.
THESEUS.Go,Philostrate,
StiruptheAthenianyouthtomerriments;
Awakethepertandnimblespiritofmirth;
Turnmelancholyforthtofunerals;
Thepalecompanionisnotforourpomp.ExitPHILOSTRATE
Hippolyta,Iwoo'dtheewithmysword,
Andwonthylovedoingtheeinjuries;
ButIwillwedtheeinanotherkey,
Withpomp,withtriumph,andwithrevelling.
EnterEGEUS,andhisdaughterHERMIA,LYSANDER,
andDEMETRIUS
EGEUS.HappybeTheseus,ourrenownedDuke!


THESEUS.Thanks,goodEgeus;what'sthenewswiththee?
EGEUS.FullofvexationcomeI,withcomplaint
Againstmychild,mydaughterHermia.
Standforth,Demetrius.Mynoblelord,
Thismanhathmyconsenttomarryher.
Standforth,Lysander.And,mygraciousDuke,

Thismanhathbewitch'dthebosomofmychild.
Thou,thou,Lysander,thouhastgivenherrhymes,
Andinterchang'dlove-tokenswithmychild;
Thouhastbymoonlightatherwindowsung,
Withfeigningvoice,versesoffeigninglove,
Andstol'ntheimpressionofherfantasy
Withbraceletsofthyhair,rings,gawds,conceits,
Knacks,trifles,nosegays,sweetmeats-messengers
Ofstrongprevailmentinunhardenedyouth;
Withcunninghastthoufilch'dmydaughter'sheart;
Turn'dherobedience,whichisduetome,
Tostubbornharshness.And,mygraciousDuke,
BeitsoshewillnotherebeforeyourGrace
ConsenttomarrywithDemetrius,
IbegtheancientprivilegeofAthens:
AssheismineImaydisposeofher;
Whichshallbeeithertothisgentleman
Ortoherdeath,accordingtoourlaw
Immediatelyprovidedinthatcase.
THESEUS.Whatsayyou,Hermia?Beadvis'd,fairmaid.
Toyouyourfathershouldbeasagod;
Onethatcompos'dyourbeauties;yea,andone
Towhomyouarebutasaforminwax,
Byhimimprinted,andwithinhispower
Toleavethefigure,ordisfigureit.
Demetriusisaworthygentleman.
HERMIA.SoisLysander.
THESEUS.Inhimselfheis;
But,inthiskind,wantingyourfather'svoice,
Theothermustbeheldtheworthier.

HERMIA.Iwouldmyfatherlook'dbutwithmyeyes.
THESEUS.Ratheryoureyesmustwithhisjudgmentlook.
HERMIA.IdoentreatyourGracetopardonme.


IknownotbywhatpowerIammadebold,
Norhowitmayconcernmymodesty
Insuchapresenceheretopleadmythoughts;
ButIbeseechyourGracethatImayknow
Theworstthatmaybefallmeinthiscase,
IfIrefusetowedDemetrius.
THESEUS.Eithertodiethedeath,ortoabjure
Foreverthesocietyofmen.
Therefore,fairHermia,questionyourdesires,
Knowofyouryouth,examinewellyourblood,
Whether,ifyouyieldnottoyourfather'schoice,
Youcanenduretheliveryofanun,
Forayetobeshadycloistermew'd,
Toliveabarrensisterallyourlife,
Chantingfainthymnstothecoldfruitlessmoon.
Thrice-blessedtheythatmastersotheirblood
Toundergosuchmaidenpilgrimage;
Butearthlierhappyistherosedistill'd
Thanthatwhichwitheringonthevirginthorn
Grows,lives,anddies,insingleblessedness.
HERMIA.SowillIgrow,solive,sodie,mylord,
EreIwillyieldmyvirginpatentup
Untohislordship,whoseunwishedyoke
Mysoulconsentsnottogivesovereignty.
THESEUS.Taketimetopause;andbythenextnewmoonThesealing-daybetwixtmyloveandme

ForeverlastingbondoffellowshipUponthatdayeitherpreparetodie
Fordisobediencetoyourfather'swill,
OrelsetowedDemetrius,ashewould,
OronDiana'saltartoprotest
Forayeausterityandsinglelife.
DEMETRIUS.Relent,sweetHermia;and,Lysander,yield
Thycrazedtitletomycertainright.
LYSANDER.Youhaveherfather'slove,Demetrius;
LetmehaveHermia's;doyoumarryhim.
EGEUS.ScornfulLysander,true,hehathmylove;
Andwhatisminemyloveshallrenderhim;
Andsheismine;andallmyrightofher


IdoestateuntoDemetrius.
LYSANDER.Iam,mylord,aswellderiv'dashe,
Aswellpossess'd;myloveismorethanhis;
Myfortuneseverywayasfairlyrank'd,
Ifnotwithvantage,asDemetrius';
And,whichismorethanalltheseboastscanbe,
Iambelov'dofbeauteousHermia.
WhyshouldnotIthenprosecutemyright?
Demetrius,I'llavouchittohishead,
MadelovetoNedar'sdaughter,Helena,
Andwonhersoul;andshe,sweetlady,dotes,
Devoutlydotes,dotesinidolatry,
Uponthisspottedandinconstantman.
THESEUS.ImustconfessthatIhaveheardsomuch,
AndwithDemetriusthoughttohavespokethereof;
But,beingover-fullofself-affairs,

Myminddidloseit.But,Demetrius,come;
Andcome,Egeus;youshallgowithme;
Ihavesomeprivateschoolingforyouboth.
Foryou,fairHermia,lookyouarmyourself
Tofityourfanciestoyourfather'swill,
OrelsethelawofAthensyieldsyouupWhichbynomeanswemayextenuateTodeath,ortoavowofsinglelife.
Come,myHippolyta;whatcheer,mylove?
Demetrius,andEgeus,goalong;
Imustemployyouinsomebusiness
Againstournuptial,andconferwithyou
Ofsomethingnearlythatconcernsyourselves.
EGEUS.Withdutyanddesirewefollowyou.
ExeuntallbutLYSANDERandHERMIA
LYSANDER.Hownow,mylove!Whyisyourcheeksopale?
Howchancetherosestheredofadesofast?
HERMIA.Belikeforwantofrain,whichIcouldwell
Beteemthemfromthetempestofmyeyes.
LYSANDER.Ayme!foraughtthatIcouldeverread,
Couldeverhearbytaleorhistory,
Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth;
Buteitheritwasdifferentinblood-


HERMIA.Ocross!toohightobeenthrall'dtolow.
LYSANDER.OrelsemisgraffedinrespectofyearsHERMIA.Ospite!toooldtobeengag'dtoyoung.
LYSANDER.OrelseitstooduponthechoiceoffriendsHERMIA.Ohell!tochooselovebyanother'seyes.
LYSANDER.Or,iftherewereasympathyinchoice,
War,death,orsickness,didlaysiegetoit,
Makingitmomentaryasasound,
Swiftasashadow,shortasanydream,

Briefasthelightninginthecolliednight
That,inaspleen,unfoldsbothheavenandearth,
Andereamanhathpowertosay'Behold!'
Thejawsofdarknessdodevouritup;
Soquickbrightthingscometoconfusion.
HERMIA.Ifthentruelovershaveevercross'd,
Itstandsasanedictindestiny.
Thenletusteachourtrialpatience,
Becauseitisacustomarycross,
Asduetoloveasthoughtsanddreamsandsighs,
Wishesandtears,poorFancy'sfollowers.
LYSANDER.Agoodpersuasion;therefore,hearme,Hermia.
Ihaveawidowaunt,adowager
Ofgreatrevenue,andshehathnochildFromAthensisherhouseremotesevenleaguesAndsherespectsmeasheronlyson.
There,gentleHermia,mayImarrythee;
AndtothatplacethesharpAthenianlaw
Cannotpursueus.Ifthoulovestmethen,
Stealforththyfather'shouseto-morrownight;
Andinthewood,aleaguewithoutthetown,
WhereIdidmeettheeoncewithHelena
TodoobservancetoamornofMay,
TherewillIstayforthee.
HERMIA.MygoodLysander!
IsweartotheebyCupid'sstrongestbow,
Byhisbestarrow,withthegoldenhead,
BythesimplicityofVenus'doves,
Bythatwhichknittethsoulsandprospersloves,
Andbythatfirewhichburn'dtheCarthageQueen,

WhenthefalseTroyanundersailwasseen,
Byallthevowsthatevermenhavebroke,
Innumbermorethaneverwomenspoke,
Inthatsameplacethouhastappointedme,
To-morrowtrulywillImeetwiththee.
LYSANDER.Keeppromise,love.Look,herecomesHelena.
EnterHELENA
HERMIA.GodspeedfairHelena!Whitheraway?
HELENA.Callyoumefair?Thatfairagainunsay.
Demetriuslovesyourfair.Ohappyfair!
Youreyesarelode-starsandyourtongue'ssweetair
Moretuneablethanlarktoshepherd'sear,
Whenwheatisgreen,whenhawthornbudsappear.
Sicknessiscatching;O,werefavourso,
YourswouldIcatch,fairHermia,ereIgo!
Myearshouldcatchyourvoice,myeyeyoureye,
Mytongueshouldcatchyourtongue'ssweetmelody.
Weretheworldmine,Demetriusbeingbated,
TherestI'dgivetobetoyoutranslated.
O,teachmehowyoulook,andwithwhatart
YouswaythemotionofDemetrius'heart!
HERMIA.Ifrownuponhim,yethelovesmestill.
HELENA.Othatyourfrownswouldteachmysmilessuchskill!
HERMIA.Igivehimcurses,yethegivesmelove.
HELENA.Othatmyprayerscouldsuchaffectionmove!
HERMIA.ThemoreIhate,themorehefollowsme.
HELENA.ThemoreIlove,themorehehatethme.
HERMIA.Hisfolly,Helena,isnofaultofmine.
HELENA.None,butyourbeauty;wouldthatfaultweremine!
HERMIA.Takecomfort:henomoreshallseemyface;

Lysanderandmyselfwillflythisplace.
BeforethetimeIdidLysandersee,
Seem'dAthensasaparadisetome.
O,then,whatgracesinmylovedodwell,
Thathehathturn'daheavenuntoahell!
LYSANDER.Helen,toyouourmindswewillunfold:
To-morrownight,whenPhoebedothbehold


Hersilvervisageinthewat'ryglass,
Deckingwithliquidpearlthebladedgrass,
Atimethatlovers'flightsdothstillconceal,
ThroughAthens'gateshavewedevis'dtosteal.
HERMIA.AndinthewoodwhereoftenyouandI
Uponfaintprimrosebedswerewonttolie,
Emptyingourbosomsoftheircounselsweet,
TheremyLysanderandmyselfshallmeet;
AndthencefromAthensturnawayoureyes,
Toseeknewfriendsandstrangercompanies.
Farewell,sweetplayfellow;praythouforus,
AndgoodluckgranttheethyDemetrius!
Keepword,Lysander;wemuststarveoursight
Fromlovers'foodtillmorrowdeepmidnight.
LYSANDER.Iwill,myHermia.[ExitHERMIA]Helena,adieu;
Asyouonhim,Demetriusdoteonyou.Exit
HELENA.Howhappysomeo'erothersomecanbe!
ThroughAthensIamthoughtasfairasshe.
Butwhatofthat?Demetriusthinksnotso;
Hewillnotknowwhatallbuthedoknow.
Andasheerrs,dotingonHermia'seyes,

SoI,admiringofhisqualities.
Thingsbaseandvile,holdingnoquantity,
Lovecantransposetoformanddignity.
Lovelooksnotwiththeeyes,butwiththemind;
Andthereforeiswing'dCupidpaintedblind.
NorhathLove'smindofanyjudgmenttaste;
Wingsandnoeyesfigureunheedyhaste;
AndthereforeisLovesaidtobeachild,
Becauseinchoiceheissooftbeguil'd.
Aswaggishboysingamethemselvesforswear,
SotheboyLoveisperjur'deverywhere;
ForereDemetriuslook'donHermia'seyne,
Hehail'ddownoathsthathewasonlymine;
AndwhenthishailsomeheatfromHermiafelt,
Sohedissolv'd,andshow'rsofoathsdidmelt.
IwillgotellhimoffairHermia'sflight;
Thentothewoodwillheto-morrownight
Pursueher;andforthisintelligence


IfIhavethanks,itisadearexpense.
ButhereinmeanItoenrichmypain,
Tohavehissightthitherandbackagain.Exit


SCENEII.Athens.QUINCE'Shouse
EnterQUINCE,SNUG,BOTTOMFLUTE,SNOUT,andSTARVELING
QUINCE.Isallourcompanyhere?
BOTTOM.Youwerebesttocallthemgenerally,manbyman,
according

tothescrip.
QUINCE.Hereisthescrollofeveryman'snamewhichisthought
fit,throughallAthens,toplayinourinterludebeforethe
Duke
andtheDuchessonhiswedding-dayatnight.
BOTTOM.First,goodPeterQuince,saywhattheplaytreatson;
then
readthenamesoftheactors;andsogrowtoapoint.
QUINCE.Marry,ourplayis'ThemostLamentableComedyandmost
CruelDeathofPyramusandThisby.'
BOTTOM.Averygoodpieceofwork,Iassureyou,andamerry.
Now,
goodPeterQuince,callforthyouractorsbythescroll.
Masters,
spreadyourselves.
QUINCE.Answer,asIcallyou.NickBottom,theweaver.
BOTTOM.Ready.NamewhatpartIamfor,andproceed.
QUINCE.You,NickBottom,aresetdownforPyramus.
BOTTOM.WhatisPyramus?Alover,oratyrant?
QUINCE.Alover,thatkillshimselfmostgallantforlove.
BOTTOM.Thatwillasksometearsinthetrueperformingofit.
IfI
doit,lettheaudiencelooktotheireyes;Iwillmove
storms;I
willcondoleinsomemeasure.Totherest-yetmychief


humouris
foratyrant.IcouldplayErclesrarely,oraparttoteara
cat

in,tomakeallsplit.
'Theragingrocks
Andshiveringshocks
Shallbreakthelocks
Ofprisongates;
AndPhibbus'car
Shallshinefromfar,
Andmakeandmar
ThefoolishFates.'
Thiswaslofty.Nownametherestoftheplayers.Thisis
Ercles'vein,atyrant'svein:aloverismorecondoling.
QUINCE.FrancisFlute,thebellows-mender.
FLUTE.Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE.Flute,youmusttakeThisbyonyou.
FLUTE.WhatisThisby?Awand'ringknight?
QUINCE.ItistheladythatPyramusmustlove.
FLUTE.Nay,faith,letnotmeplayawoman;Ihaveabeard
coming.
QUINCE.That'sallone;youshallplayitinamask,andyou
may
speakassmallasyouwill.
BOTTOM.AnImayhidemyface,letmeplayThisbytoo.
I'llspeakinamonstrouslittlevoice:'Thisne,Thisne!'
[Thenspeakingsmall]'AhPyramus,myloverdear!Thy
Thisbydear,andladydear!'
QUINCE.No,no,youmustplayPyramus;and,Flute,youThisby.
BOTTOM.Well,proceed.
QUINCE.RobinStarveling,thetailor.
STARVELING.Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE.RobinStarveling,youmustplayThisby'smother.

TomSnout,thetinker.
SNOUT.Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE.You,Pyramus'father;myself,Thisby'sfather;Snug,


the
joiner,you,thelion'spart.And,Ihope,hereisaplay
fitted.
SNUG.Haveyouthelion'spartwritten?Prayyou,ifitbe,
giveit
me,forIamslowofstudy.
QUINCE.Youmaydoitextempore,foritisnothingbutroaring.
BOTTOM.Letmeplaytheliontoo.IwillroarthatIwilldo
any
man'sheartgoodtohearme;IwillroarthatIwillmakethe
Dukesay'Lethimroaragain,lethimroaragain.'
QUINCE.Anyoushoulddoittooterribly,youwouldfrightthe
Duchessandtheladies,thattheywouldshriek;andthatwere
enoughtohangusall.
ALL.Thatwouldhangus,everymother'sson.
BOTTOM.Igrantyou,friends,ifyoushouldfrighttheladies
out
oftheirwits,theywouldhavenomorediscretionbuttohang
us;
butIwillaggravatemyvoiceso,thatIwillroaryouas
gently
asanysuckingdove;Iwillroaryouan'twereany
nightingale.
QUINCE.YoucanplaynopartbutPyramus;forPyramusisa
sweet-fac'dman;aproperman,asoneshallseeinasummer's

day;amostlovelygentleman-likeman;thereforeyoumust
needs
playPyramus.
BOTTOM.Well,Iwillundertakeit.WhatbeardwereIbestto
play
itin?
QUINCE.Why,whatyouwill.
BOTTOM.Iwilldischargeitineitheryourstraw-colourbeard,
your
orange-tawnybeard,yourpurple-in-grainbeard,oryour
French-crown-colourbeard,yourperfectyellow.
QUINCE.SomeofyourFrenchcrownshavenohairatall,and
then
youwillplaybare-fac'd.But,masters,hereareyourparts;


and
Iamtoentreatyou,requestyou,anddesireyou,toconthem
by
to-morrownight;andmeetmeinthepalacewood,amile
without
thetown,bymoonlight;therewillwerehearse;forifwe
meetin
thecity,weshallbedogg'dwithcompany,andourdevices
known.
InthemeantimeIwilldrawabillofproperties,suchasour
playwants.Iprayyou,failmenot.
BOTTOM.Wewillmeet;andtherewemayrehearsemostobscenely
and
courageously.Takepains;beperfect;adieu.

QUINCE.AttheDuke'soakwemeet.
BOTTOM.Enough;hold,orcutbow-strings.Exeunt

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ACTII.SCENEI.AwoodnearAthens


EnteraFAIRYatOnedoor,andPUCKatanother
PUCK.Hownow,spirit!whitherwanderyou?
FAIRY.Overhill,overdale,
Thoroughbush,thoroughbrier,
Overpark,overpale,
Thoroughflood,thoroughfire,
Idowandereverywhere,
Swifterthanthemoon'ssphere;

AndIservetheFairyQueen,
Todewherorbsuponthegreen.
Thecowslipstallherpensionersbe;
Intheirgoldcoatsspotsyousee;
Thoseberubies,fairyfavours,
Inthosefreckleslivetheirsavours.
Imustgoseeksomedewdropshere,
Andhangapearlineverycowslip'sear.
Farewell,thoulobofspirits;I'llbegone.
OurQueenandallherelvescomehereanon.
PUCK.TheKingdothkeephisrevelshereto-night;
TakeheedtheQueencomenotwithinhissight;
ForOberonispassingfellandwrath,
Becausethatsheasherattendanthath
Alovelyboy,stolenfromanIndianking.
Sheneverhadsosweetachangeling;
AndjealousOberonwouldhavethechild
Knightofhistrain,totracetheforestswild;
Butsheperforcewithholdsthelovedboy,
Crownshimwithflowers,andmakeshimallherjoy.
Andnowtheynevermeetingroveorgreen,
Byfountainclear,orspangledstarlightsheen,
Buttheydosquare,thatalltheirelvesforfear
Creepintoacorncupsandhidethemthere.
FAIRY.EitherImistakeyourshapeandmakingquite,
Orelseyouarethatshrewdandknavishsprite
Call'dRobinGoodfellow.Arenotyouhe
Thatfrightsthemaidensofthevillagery,
Skimmilk,andsometimeslabourinthequern,

Andbootlessmakethebreathlesshousewifechurn,
Andsometimemakethedrinktobearnobarm,
Misleadnight-wanderers,laughingattheirharm?
ThosethatHobgoblincallyou,andsweetPuck,
Youdotheirwork,andtheyshallhavegoodluck.
Arenotyouhe?
PUCK.Thouspeakestaright:
Iamthatmerrywandererofthenight.
IjesttoOberon,andmakehimsmile
WhenIafatandbean-fedhorsebeguile,
Neighinginlikenessofafillyfoal;
AndsometimelurkIinagossip'sbowl
Inverylikenessofaroastedcrab,
And,whenshedrinks,againstherlipsIbob,
Andonherwithereddewlappourtheale.
Thewisestaunt,tellingthesaddesttale,
Sometimeforthree-footstoolmistakethme;
ThenslipIfromherbum,downtopplesshe,
And'tailor'cries,andfallsintoacough;
Andthenthewholequireholdtheirhipsandlaugh,
Andwaxenintheirmirth,andneeze,andswear
Amerrierhourwasneverwastedthere.
Butroom,fairy,herecomesOberon.
FAIRY.Andheremymistress.Wouldthatheweregone!
EnterOBERONatonedoor,withhisTRAIN,andTITANIA,
atanother,withhers
OBERON.Illmetbymoonlight,proudTitania.
TITANIA.What,jealousOberon!Fairies,skiphence;
Ihaveforswornhisbedandcompany.

OBERON.Tarry,rashwanton;amnotIthylord?
TITANIA.ThenImustbethylady;butIknow
Whenthouhaststolenawayfromfairyland,
AndintheshapeofCorinsatallday,
Playingonpipesofcorn,andversinglove
ToamorousPhillida.Whyartthouhere,
ComefromthefartheststeepofIndia,
Butthat,forsooth,thebouncingAmazon,


Yourbuskin'dmistressandyourwarriorlove,
ToTheseusmustbewedded,andyoucome
Togivetheirbedjoyandprosperity?
OBERON.Howcanstthouthus,forshame,Titania,
GlanceatmycreditwithHippolyta,
KnowingIknowthylovetoTheseus?
Didstnotthouleadhimthroughtheglimmeringnight
FromPerigouna,whomheravished?
AndmakehimwithfairAeglesbreakhisfaith,
WithAriadneandAntiopa?
TITANIA.Thesearetheforgeriesofjealousy;
Andnever,sincethemiddlesummer'sspring,
Metweonhill,indale,forest,ormead,
Bypavedfountain,orbyrushybrook,
Orinthebeachedmargentofthesea,
Todanceourringletstothewhistlingwind,
Butwiththybrawlsthouhastdisturb'doursport.
Thereforethewinds,pipingtousinvain,
Asinrevenge,havesuck'dupfromthesea
Contagiousfogs;which,fallingintheland,

Hatheverypeltingrivermadesoproud
Thattheyhaveoverbornetheircontinents.
Theoxhaththereforestretch'dhisyokeinvain,
Theploughmanlosthissweat,andthegreencorn
Hathrottederehisyouthattain'dabeard;
Thefoldstandsemptyinthedrownedfield,
Andcrowsarefattedwiththemurrionflock;
Theninemen'smorrisisfill'dupwithmud,
Andthequaintmazesinthewantongreen,
Forlackoftread,areundistinguishable.
Thehumanmortalswanttheirwinterhere;
Nonightisnowwithhymnorcarolblest;
Thereforethemoon,thegovernessoffloods,
Paleinheranger,washesalltheair,
Thatrheumaticdiseasesdoabound.
Andthoroughthisdistemperaturewesee
Theseasonsalter:hoary-headedfrosts
Fallinthefreshlapofthecrimsonrose;
AndonoldHiems'thinandicycrown


Anodorouschapletofsweetsummerbuds
Is,asinmockery,set.Thespring,thesummer,
Thechildingautumn,angrywinter,change
Theirwontedliveries;andthemazedworld,
Bytheirincrease,nowknowsnotwhichiswhich.
Andthissameprogenyofevilscomes
Fromourdebate,fromourdissension;
Wearetheirparentsandoriginal.
OBERON.Doyouamendit,then;itliesinyou.

WhyshouldTitaniacrossherOberon?
Idobutbegalittlechangelingboy
Tobemyhenchman.
TITANIA.Setyourheartatrest;
Thefairylandbuysnotthechildofme.
Hismotherwasavot'ressofmyorder;
And,inthespicedIndianair,bynight,
Fulloftenhathshegossip'dbymyside;
AndsatwithmeonNeptune'syellowsands,
Markingth'embarkedtradersontheflood;
Whenwehavelaugh'dtoseethesailsconceive,
Andgrowbig-belliedwiththewantonwind;
Whichshe,withprettyandwithswimminggait
Following-herwombthenrichwithmyyoungsquireWouldimitate,andsailupontheland,
Tofetchmetrifles,andreturnagain,
Asfromavoyage,richwithmerchandise.
Butshe,beingmortal,ofthatboydiddie;
AndforhersakedoIrearupherboy;
AndforhersakeIwillnotpartwithhim.
OBERON.Howlongwithinthiswoodintendyoustay?
TITANIA.PerchancetillafterTheseus'wedding-day.
Ifyouwillpatientlydanceinourround,
Andseeourmoonlightrevels,gowithus;
Ifnot,shunme,andIwillspareyourhaunts.
OBERON.GivemethatboyandIwillgowiththee.
TITANIA.Notforthyfairykingdom.Fairies,away.
WeshallchidedownrightifIlongerstay.
ExitTITANIAwithhertrain
OBERON.Well,gothyway;thoushaltnotfromthisgrove

TillItormenttheeforthisinjury.
MygentlePuck,comehither.Thourememb'rest
SinceonceIsatuponapromontory,
Andheardamermaidonadolphin'sback
Utteringsuchdulcetandharmoniousbreath
Thattherudeseagrewcivilathersong,
Andcertainstarsshotmadlyfromtheirspheres
Tohearthesea-maid'smusic.
PUCK.Iremember.
OBERON.ThatverytimeIsaw,butthoucouldstnot,
Flyingbetweenthecoldmoonandtheearth
Cupid,allarm'd;acertainaimhetook
Atafairvestal,thronedbythewest,
Andloos'dhislove-shaftsmartlyfromhisbow,
Asitshouldpierceahundredthousandhearts;
ButImightseeyoungCupid'sfieryshaft
Quench'dinthechastebeamsofthewat'rymoon;
Andtheimperialvot'resspassedon,
Inmaidenmeditation,fancy-free.
Yetmark'dIwheretheboltofCupidfell.
Itfelluponalittlewesternflower,
Beforemilk-white,nowpurplewithlove'swound,
AndmaidenscallitLove-in-idleness.
Fetchmethatflow'r,theherbIshowedtheeonce.
Thejuiceofitonsleepingeyelidslaid
Willmakeormanorwomanmadlydote
Uponthenextlivecreaturethatitsees.
Fetchmethisherb,andbethouhereagain
Eretheleviathancanswimaleague.

PUCK.I'llputagirdleroundabouttheearth
Infortyminutes.ExitPUCK
OBERON.Havingoncethisjuice,
I'llwatchTitaniawhensheisasleep,
Anddroptheliquorofitinhereyes;
Thenextthingthenshewakinglooksupon,
Beitonlion,bear,orwolf,orbull,
Onmeddlingmonkey,oronbusyape,
Sheshallpursueitwiththesouloflove.
AndereItakethischarmfromoffhersight,