ACTI

SCENEI.Athens.ThepalaceofTHESEUS.

EnterTHESEUS,HIPPOLYTA,PHILOSTRATE,and
Attendants
THESEUS
Now,fairHippolyta,ournuptialhour
Drawsonapace;fourhappydaysbringin
Anothermoon:but,O,methinks,howslow
Thisoldmoonwanes!shelingersmydesires,
Liketoastepdameoradowager
Longwitheringoutayoungmanrevenue.
HIPPOLYTA
Fourdayswillquicklysteepthemselvesinnight;
Fournightswillquicklydreamawaythetime;
Andthenthemoon,liketoasilverbow
Newbentinheaven,shallbeholdthenight
Ofoursolemnities.
THESEUS
Go,Philostrate,
StiruptheAthenianyouthtomerriments;
Awakethepertandnimblespiritofmirth;
Turnmelancholyforthtofunerals;
Thepalecompanionisnotforourpomp.
ExitPHILOSTRATE
Hippolyta,Iwoo'dtheewithmysword,
Andwonthylove,doingtheeinjuries;
ButIwillwedtheeinanotherkey,
Withpomp,withtriumphandwithrevelling.
EnterEGEUS,HERMIA,LYSANDER,andDEMETRIUS

EGEUS
HappybeTheseus,ourrenownedduke!
THESEUS
Thanks,goodEgeus:what'sthenewswiththee?
EGEUS
FullofvexationcomeI,withcomplaint
Againstmychild,mydaughterHermia.
Standforth,Demetrius.Mynoblelord,
Thismanhathmyconsenttomarryher.
Standforth,Lysander:andmygraciousduke,
Thismanhathbewitch'dthebosomofmychild;
Thou,thou,Lysander,thouhastgivenherrhymes,
Andinterchangedlovetokenswithmychild:
Thouhastbymoonlightatherwindowsung,
Withfeigningvoiceversesoffeigninglove,
Andstolentheimpressionofherfantasy
Withbraceletsofthyhair,rings,gawds,conceits,
Knacks,trifles,nosegays,sweetmeats,messengers
Ofstrongprevailmentinunharden'dyouth:
Withcunninghastthoufilch'dmydaughter'sheart,
Turn'dherobedience,whichisduetome,
Tostubbornharshness:and,mygraciousduke,
Beitsoshe;willnotherebeforeyourgrace
ConsenttomarrywithDemetrius,
IbegtheancientprivilegeofAthens,
Assheismine,Imaydisposeofher:
Whichshallbeeithertothisgentleman
Ortoherdeath,accordingtoourlaw
Immediatelyprovidedinthatcase.
THESEUS
Whatsayyou,Hermia?beadvisedfairmaid:
Toyouyourfathershouldbeasagod;
Onethatcomposedyourbeauties,yea,andone
Towhomyouarebutasaforminwax
Byhimimprintedandwithinhispower

Toleavethefigureordisfigureit.
Demetriusisaworthygentleman.
HERMIA
SoisLysander.
THESEUS
Inhimselfheis;
Butinthiskind,wantingyourfather'svoice,
Theothermustbeheldtheworthier.
HERMIA
Iwouldmyfatherlook'dbutwithmyeyes.
THESEUS
Ratheryoureyesmustwithhisjudgmentlook.
HERMIA
Idoentreatyourgracetopardonme.
IknownotbywhatpowerIammadebold,
Norhowitmayconcernmymodesty,
Insuchapresenceheretopleadmythoughts;
ButIbeseechyourgracethatImayknow
Theworstthatmaybefallmeinthiscase,
IfIrefusetowedDemetrius.
THESEUS
Eithertodiethedeathortoabjure
Foreverthesocietyofmen.
Therefore,fairHermia,questionyourdesires;
Knowofyouryouth,examinewellyourblood,
Whether,ifyouyieldnottoyourfather'schoice,
Youcanenduretheliveryofanun,
Forayetobeinshadycloistermew'd,
Toliveabarrensisterallyourlife,
Chantingfainthymnstothecoldfruitlessmoon.
Thriceblessedtheythatmastersotheirblood,
Toundergosuchmaidenpilgrimage;
Butearthlierhappyistherosedistill'd,
Thanthatwhichwitheringonthevirginthorn
Grows,livesanddiesinsingleblessedness.

HERMIA
SowillIgrow,solive,sodie,mylord,
EreIwillmyvirginpatentup
Untohislordship,whoseunwishedyoke
Mysoulconsentsnottogivesovereignty.
THESEUS
Taketimetopause;and,bythenestnewmoon
Thesealingdaybetwixtmyloveandme,
Foreverlastingbondoffellowship
Uponthatdayeitherpreparetodie
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,aswellderivedashe,
Aswellpossess'd;myloveismorethanhis;
Myfortuneseverywayasfairlyrank'd,
Ifnotwithvantage,asDemetrius';
And,whichismorethanalltheseboastscanbe,
IambelovedofbeauteousHermia:
WhyshouldnotIthenprosecutemyright?
Demetrius,I'llavouchittohishead,
MadelovetoNedar'sdaughter,Helena,

Andwonhersoul;andshe,sweetlady,dotes,
Devoutlydotes,dotesinidolatry,
Uponthisspottedandinconstantman.
THESEUS
ImustconfessthatIhaveheardsomuch,
AndwithDemetriusthoughttohavespokethereof;
But,beingoverfullofselfaffairs,
Myminddidloseit.But,Demetrius,come;
Andcome,Egeus;youshallgowithme,
Ihavesomeprivateschoolingforyouboth.
Foryou,fairHermia,lookyouarmyourself
Tofityourfanciestoyourfather'swill;
OrelsethelawofAthensyieldsyouup
Whichbynomeanswemayextenuate
Todeath,ortoavowofsinglelife.
Come,myHippolyta:whatcheer,mylove?
DemetriusandEgeus,goalong:
Imustemployyouinsomebusiness
Againstournuptialandconferwithyou
Ofsomethingnearlythatconcernsyourselves.
EGEUS
Withdutyanddesirewefollowyou.
ExeuntallbutLYSANDERandHERMIA
LYSANDER
Hownow,mylove!whyisyourcheeksopale?
Howchancetherosestheredofadesofast?
HERMIA
Belikeforwantofrain,whichIcouldwell
Beteemthemfromthetempestofmyeyes.
LYSANDER
Ayme!foraughtthatIcouldeverread,
Couldeverhearbytaleorhistory,
Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth;
But,eitheritwasdifferentinblood,

HERMIA
Ocross!toohightobeenthrall'dtolow.
LYSANDER
Orelsemisgraffedinrespectofyears,
HERMIA
Ospite!toooldtobeengagedtoyoung.
LYSANDER
Orelseitstooduponthechoiceoffriends,
HERMIA
Ohell!tochooselovebyanother'seyes.
LYSANDER
Or,iftherewereasympathyinchoice,
War,death,orsicknessdidlaysiegetoit,
Makingitmomentanyasasound,
Swiftasashadow,shortasanydream;
Briefasthelightninginthecolliednight,
That,inaspleen,unfoldsbothheavenandearth,
Andereamanhathpowertosay'Behold!'
Thejawsofdarknessdodevouritup:
Soquickbrightthingscometoconfusion.
HERMIA
Ifthentruelovershavebeenevercross'd,
Itstandsasanedictindestiny:
Thenletusteachourtrialpatience,
Becauseitisacustomarycross,
Asduetoloveasthoughtsanddreamsandsighs,
Wishesandtears,poorfancy'sfollowers.
LYSANDER
Agoodpersuasion:therefore,hearme,Hermia.
Ihaveawidowaunt,adowager
Ofgreatrevenue,andshehathnochild:
FromAthensisherhouseremotesevenleagues;
Andsherespectsmeasheronlyson.
There,gentleHermia,mayImarrythee;
AndtothatplacethesharpAthenianlaw

Cannotpursueus.Ifthoulovestmethen,
Stealforththyfather'shousetomorrownight;
Andinthewood,aleaguewithoutthetown,
WhereIdidmeettheeoncewithHelena,
TodoobservancetoamornofMay,
TherewillIstayforthee.
HERMIA
MygoodLysander!
Isweartothee,byCupid'sstrongestbow,
Byhisbestarrowwiththegoldenhead,
BythesimplicityofVenus'doves,
Bythatwhichknittethsoulsandprospersloves,
Andbythatfirewhichburn'dtheCarthagequeen,
WhenthefalseTroyanundersailwasseen,
Byallthevowsthatevermenhavebroke,
Innumbermorethaneverwomenspoke,
Inthatsameplacethouhastappointedme,
TomorrowtrulywillImeetwiththee.
LYSANDER
Keeppromise,love.Look,herecomesHelena.
EnterHELENA
HERMIA
GodspeedfairHelena!whitheraway?
HELENA
Callyoumefair?thatfairagainunsay.
Demetriuslovesyourfair:Ohappyfair!
Youreyesarelodestars;andyourtongue'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:
Tomorrownight,whenPhoebedothbehold
Hersilvervisageinthewateryglass,
Deckingwithliquidpearlthebladedgrass,
Atimethatlovers'flightsdothstillconceal,
ThroughAthens'gateshavewedevisedtosteal.
HERMIA
Andinthewood,whereoftenyouandI
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,foldingnoquantity,
Lovecantransposetoformanddignity:
Lovelooksnotwiththeeyes,butwiththemind;
Andthereforeiswing'dCupidpaintedblind:
NorhathLove'smindofanyjudgementtaste;
Wingsandnoeyesfigureunheedyhaste:
AndthereforeisLovesaidtobeachild,
Becauseinchoiceheissooftbeguiled.
Aswaggishboysingamethemselvesforswear,
SotheboyLoveisperjuredeverywhere:
ForereDemetriuslook'donHermia'seyne,
Hehail'ddownoathsthathewasonlymine;
AndwhenthishailsomeheatfromHermiafelt,

Sohedissolved,andshowersofoathsdidmelt.
IwillgotellhimoffairHermia'sflight:
Thentothewoodwillhetomorrownight
Pursueher;andforthisintelligence
IfIhavethanks,itisadearexpense:
ButhereinmeanItoenrichmypain,
Tohavehissightthitherandbackagain.
Exit

SCENEII.Athens.QUINCE'Shouse.

EnterQUINCE,SNUG,BOTTOM,FLUTE,SNOUT,and
STARVELING
QUINCE
Isallourcompanyhere?
BOTTOM
Youwerebesttocallthemgenerally,manbyman,
accordingtothescrip.
QUINCE
Hereisthescrollofeveryman'sname,whichis
thoughtfit,throughallAthens,toplayinour
interludebeforethedukeandtheduchess,onhis
weddingdayatnight.
BOTTOM
First,goodPeterQuince,saywhattheplaytreats
on,thenreadthenamesoftheactors,andsogrow
toapoint.
QUINCE
Marry,ourplayis,Themostlamentablecomedy,and
mostcrueldeathofPyramusandThisby.
BOTTOM
Averygoodpieceofwork,Iassureyou,anda
merry.Now,goodPeterQuince,callforthyour

actorsbythescroll.Masters,spreadyourselves.
QUINCE
AnswerasIcallyou.NickBottom,theweaver.
BOTTOM
Ready.NamewhatpartIamfor,andproceed.
QUINCE
You,NickBottom,aresetdownforPyramus.
BOTTOM
WhatisPyramus?alover,oratyrant?
QUINCE
Alover,thatkillshimselfmostgallantforlove.
BOTTOM
Thatwillasksometearsinthetrueperformingof
it:ifIdoit,lettheaudiencelooktotheir
eyes;Iwillmovestorms,Iwillcondoleinsome
measure.Totherest:yetmychiefhumourisfora
tyrant:IcouldplayErclesrarely,orapartto
tearacatin,tomakeallsplit.
Theragingrocks
Andshiveringshocks
Shallbreakthelocks
Ofprisongates;
AndPhibbus'car
Shallshinefromfar
Andmakeandmar
ThefoolishFates.
Thiswaslofty!Nownametherestoftheplayers.
ThisisErcles'vein,atyrant'svein;aloveris
morecondoling.
QUINCE
FrancisFlute,thebellowsmender.
FLUTE
Here,PeterQuince.
QUINCE
Flute,youmusttakeThisbyonyou.

FLUTE
WhatisThisby?awanderingknight?
QUINCE
ItistheladythatPyramusmustlove.
FLUTE
Nay,faith,letmenotplayawoman;Ihaveabeardcoming.
QUINCE
That'sallone:youshallplayitinamask,and
youmayspeakassmallasyouwill.
BOTTOM
AnImayhidemyface,letmeplayThisbytoo,I'll
speakinamonstrouslittlevoice.'Thisne,
Thisne;''Ah,Pyramus,loverdear!thyThisbydear,
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,thejoiner;you,thelion'spart:and,I
hope,hereisaplayfitted.
SNUG
Haveyouthelion'spartwritten?prayyou,ifit
be,giveitme,forIamslowofstudy.
QUINCE

Youmaydoitextempore,foritisnothingbutroaring.
BOTTOM
Letmeplaytheliontoo:Iwillroar,thatIwill
doanyman'sheartgoodtohearme;Iwillroar,
thatIwillmakethedukesay'Lethimroaragain,
lethimroaragain.'
QUINCE
Anyoushoulddoittooterribly,youwouldfright
theduchessandtheladies,thattheywouldshriek;
andthatwereenoughtohangusall.
ALL
Thatwouldhangus,everymother'sson.
BOTTOM
Igrantyou,friends,ifthatyoushouldfrightthe
ladiesoutoftheirwits,theywouldhavenomore
discretionbuttohangus:butIwillaggravatemy
voicesothatIwillroaryouasgentlyasany
suckingdove;Iwillroaryouan'twereany
nightingale.
QUINCE
YoucanplaynopartbutPyramus;forPyramusisa
sweetfacedman;aproperman,asoneshallseeina
summer'sday;amostlovelygentlemanlikeman:
thereforeyoumustneedsplayPyramus.
BOTTOM
Well,Iwillundertakeit.WhatbeardwereIbest
toplayitin?
QUINCE
Why,whatyouwill.
BOTTOM
Iwilldischargeitineitheryourstrawcolour
beard,yourorangetawnybeard,yourpurpleingrain
beard,oryourFrenchcrowncolourbeard,your
perfectyellow.
QUINCE

SomeofyourFrenchcrownshavenohairatall,and
thenyouwillplaybarefaced.But,masters,here
areyourparts:andIamtoentreatyou,request
youanddesireyou,toconthembytomorrownight;
andmeetmeinthepalacewood,amilewithoutthe
town,bymoonlight;therewillwerehearse,forif
wemeetinthecity,weshallbedoggedwith
company,andourdevicesknown.InthemeantimeI
willdrawabillofproperties,suchasourplay
wants.Iprayyou,failmenot.
BOTTOM
Wewillmeet;andtherewemayrehearsemost
obscenelyandcourageously.Takepains;beperfect:adieu.
QUINCE
Attheduke'soakwemeet.
BOTTOM
Enough;holdorcutbowstrings.
Exeunt

ACTII
SCENEI.AwoodnearAthens.

Enter,fromoppositesides,aFairy,andPUCK
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:
Ourqueenandallourelvescomehereanon.
PUCK
Thekingdothkeephisrevelsheretonight:
Takeheedthequeencomenotwithinhissight;
ForOberonispassingfellandwrath,
Becausethatsheasherattendanthath
Alovelyboy,stolenfromanIndianking;
Sheneverhadsosweetachangeling;
AndjealousOberonwouldhavethechild
Knightofhistrain,totracetheforestswild;
Butsheperforcewithholdsthelovedboy,
Crownshimwithflowersandmakeshimallherjoy:
Andnowtheynevermeetingroveorgreen,
Byfountainclear,orspangledstarlightsheen,
But,theydosquare,thatalltheirelvesforfear
Creepintoacorncupsandhidethemthere.
Fairy
EitherImistakeyourshapeandmakingquite,
Orelseyouarethatshrewdandknavishsprite
Call'dRobinGoodfellow:arenotyouhe
Thatfrightsthemaidensofthevillagery;
Skimmilk,andsometimeslabourinthequern
Andbootlessmakethebreathlesshousewifechurn;
Andsometimemakethedrinktobearnobarm;
Misleadnightwanderers,laughingattheirharm?

ThosethatHobgoblincallyouandsweetPuck,
Youdotheirwork,andtheyshallhavegoodluck:
Arenotyouhe?
PUCK
Thouspeak'staright;
Iamthatmerrywandererofthenight.
IjesttoOberonandmakehimsmile
WhenIafatandbeanfedhorsebeguile,
Neighinginlikenessofafillyfoal:
AndsometimelurkIinagossip'sbowl,
Inverylikenessofaroastedcrab,
Andwhenshedrinks,againstherlipsIbob
Andonherwither'ddewlappourtheale.
Thewisestaunt,tellingthesaddesttale,
Sometimeforthreefootstoolmistakethme;
ThenslipIfromherbum,downtopplesshe,
And'tailor'cries,andfallsintoacough;
Andthenthewholequireholdtheirhipsandlaugh,
Andwaxenintheirmirthandneezeandswear
Amerrierhourwasneverwastedthere.
But,room,fairy!herecomesOberon.
Fairy
Andheremymistress.Wouldthatheweregone!
Enter,fromoneside,OBERON,withhistrain;fromtheother,
TITANIA,withhers
OBERON
Illmetbymoonlight,proudTitania.
TITANIA
What,jealousOberon!Fairies,skiphence:
Ihaveforswornhisbedandcompany.
OBERON
Tarry,rashwanton:amnotIthylord?
TITANIA
ThenImustbethylady:butIknow

Whenthouhaststolenawayfromfairyland,
AndintheshapeofCorinsatallday,
Playingonpipesofcornandversinglove
ToamorousPhillida.Whyartthouhere,
ComefromthefarthestSteppeofIndia?
Butthat,forsooth,thebouncingAmazon,
Yourbuskin'dmistressandyourwarriorlove,
ToTheseusmustbewedded,andyoucome
Togivetheirbedjoyandprosperity.
OBERON
Howcanstthouthusforshame,Titania,
GlanceatmycreditwithHippolyta,
KnowingIknowthylovetoTheseus?
Didstthounotleadhimthroughtheglimmeringnight
FromPerigenia,whomheravished?
AndmakehimwithfairAEglebreakhisfaith,
WithAriadneandAntiopa?
TITANIA
Thesearetheforgeriesofjealousy:
Andnever,sincethemiddlesummer'sspring,
Metweonhill,indale,forestormead,
Bypavedfountainorbyrushybrook,
Orinthebeachedmargentofthesea,
Todanceourringletstothewhistlingwind,
Butwiththybrawlsthouhastdisturb'doursport.
Thereforethewinds,pipingtousinvain,
Asinrevenge,havesuck'dupfromthesea
Contagiousfogs;whichfallingintheland
Haveeverypeltingrivermadesoproud
Thattheyhaveoverbornetheircontinents:
Theoxhaththereforestretch'dhisyokeinvain,
Theploughmanlosthissweat,andthegreencorn
Hathrottederehisyouthattain'dabeard;
Thefoldstandsemptyinthedrownedfield,
Andcrowsarefattedwiththemurrionflock;
Theninemen'smorrisisfill'dupwithmud,

Andthequaintmazesinthewantongreen
Forlackoftreadareundistinguishable:
Thehumanmortalswanttheirwinterhere;
Nonightisnowwithhymnorcarolblest:
Thereforethemoon,thegovernessoffloods,
Paleinheranger,washesalltheair,
Thatrheumaticdiseasesdoabound:
Andthoroughthisdistemperaturewesee
Theseasonsalter:hoaryheadedfrosts
Farinthefreshlapofthecrimsonrose,
AndonoldHiems'thinandicycrown
Anodorouschapletofsweetsummerbuds
Is,asinmockery,set:thespring,thesummer,
Thechildingautumn,angrywinter,change
Theirwontedliveries,andthemazedworld,
Bytheirincrease,nowknowsnotwhichiswhich:
Andthissameprogenyofevilscomes
Fromourdebate,fromourdissension;
Wearetheirparentsandoriginal.
OBERON
Doyouamenditthen;itliesinyou:
WhyshouldTitaniacrossherOberon?
Idobutbegalittlechangelingboy,
Tobemyhenchman.
TITANIA
Setyourheartatrest:
Thefairylandbuysnotthechildofme.
Hismotherwasavotaressofmyorder:
And,inthespicedIndianair,bynight,
Fulloftenhathshegossip'dbymyside,
AndsatwithmeonNeptune'syellowsands,
Markingtheembarkedtradersontheflood,
Whenwehavelaugh'dtoseethesailsconceive
Andgrowbigbelliedwiththewantonwind;
Whichshe,withprettyandwithswimminggait
Following,herwombthenrichwithmyyoungsquire,

Wouldimitate,andsailupontheland,
Tofetchmetrifles,andreturnagain,
Asfromavoyage,richwithmerchandise.
Butshe,beingmortal,ofthatboydiddie;
AndforhersakedoIrearupherboy,
AndforhersakeIwillnotpartwithhim.
OBERON
Howlongwithinthiswoodintendyoustay?
TITANIA
PerchancetillafterTheseus'weddingday.
Ifyouwillpatientlydanceinourround
Andseeourmoonlightrevels,gowithus;
Ifnot,shunme,andIwillspareyourhaunts.
OBERON
Givemethatboy,andIwillgowiththee.
TITANIA
Notforthyfairykingdom.Fairies,away!
Weshallchidedownright,ifIlongerstay.
ExitTITANIAwithhertrain
OBERON
Well,gothyway:thoushaltnotfromthisgrove
TillItormenttheeforthisinjury.
MygentlePuck,comehither.Thourememberest
SinceonceIsatuponapromontory,
Andheardamermaidonadolphin'sback
Utteringsuchdulcetandharmoniousbreath
Thattherudeseagrewcivilathersong
Andcertainstarsshotmadlyfromtheirspheres,
Toheartheseamaid'smusic.
PUCK
Iremember.
OBERON
ThatverytimeIsaw,butthoucouldstnot,
Flyingbetweenthecoldmoonandtheearth,

Cupidallarm'd:acertainaimhetook
Atafairvestalthronedbythewest,
Andloosedhisloveshaftsmartlyfromhisbow,
Asitshouldpierceahundredthousandhearts;
ButImightseeyoungCupid'sfieryshaft
Quench'dinthechastebeamsofthewaterymoon,
Andtheimperialvotaresspassedon,
Inmaidenmeditation,fancyfree.
Yetmark'dIwheretheboltofCupidfell:
Itfelluponalittlewesternflower,
Beforemilkwhite,nowpurplewithlove'swound,
Andmaidenscallitloveinidleness.
Fetchmethatflower;theherbIshew'dtheeonce:
Thejuiceofitonsleepingeyelidslaid
Willmakeormanorwomanmadlydote
Uponthenextlivecreaturethatitsees.
Fetchmethisherb;andbethouhereagain
Eretheleviathancanswimaleague.
PUCK
I'llputagirdleroundabouttheearth
Infortyminutes.
Exit
OBERON
Havingoncethisjuice,
I'llwatchTitaniawhensheisasleep,
Anddroptheliquorofitinhereyes.
Thenextthingthenshewakinglooksupon,
Beitonlion,bear,orwolf,orbull,
Onmeddlingmonkey,oronbusyape,
Sheshallpursueitwiththesouloflove:
AndereItakethischarmfromoffhersight,
AsIcantakeitwithanotherherb,
I'llmakeherrenderupherpagetome.
Butwhocomeshere?Iaminvisible;
AndIwilloverheartheirconference.

EnterDEMETRIUS,HELENA,followinghim
DEMETRIUS
Ilovetheenot,thereforepursuemenot.
WhereisLysanderandfairHermia?
TheoneI'llslay,theotherslayethme.
Thoutold'stmetheywerestolenuntothiswood;
AndhereamI,andwodewithinthiswood,
BecauseIcannotmeetmyHermia.
Hence,gettheegone,andfollowmenomore.
HELENA
Youdrawme,youhardheartedadamant;
Butyetyoudrawnotiron,formyheart
Istrueassteel:leaveyouyourpowertodraw,
AndIshallhavenopowertofollowyou.
DEMETRIUS
DoIenticeyou?doIspeakyoufair?
Or,rather,doInotinplainesttruth
Tellyou,Idonot,norIcannotloveyou?
HELENA
AndevenforthatdoIloveyouthemore.
Iamyourspaniel;and,Demetrius,
Themoreyoubeatme,Iwillfawnonyou:
Usemebutasyourspaniel,spurnme,strikeme,
Neglectme,loseme;onlygivemeleave,
UnworthyasIam,tofollowyou.
WhatworserplacecanIbeginyourlove,
Andyetaplaceofhighrespectwithme,
Thantobeusedasyouuseyourdog?
DEMETRIUS
Temptnottoomuchthehatredofmyspirit;
ForIamsickwhenIdolookonthee.
HELENA
AndIamsickwhenIlooknotonyou.
DEMETRIUS

Youdoimpeachyourmodestytoomuch,
Toleavethecityandcommityourself
Intothehandsofonethatlovesyounot;
Totrusttheopportunityofnight
Andtheillcounselofadesertplace
Withtherichworthofyourvirginity.
HELENA
Yourvirtueismyprivilege:forthat
ItisnotnightwhenIdoseeyourface,
ThereforeIthinkIamnotinthenight;
Nordoththiswoodlackworldsofcompany,
Foryouinmyrespectarealltheworld:
ThenhowcanitbesaidIamalone,
Whenalltheworldisheretolookonme?
DEMETRIUS
I'llrunfromtheeandhidemeinthebrakes,
Andleavetheetothemercyofwildbeasts.
HELENA
Thewildesthathnotsuchaheartasyou.
Runwhenyouwill,thestoryshallbechanged:
Apolloflies,andDaphneholdsthechase;
Thedovepursuesthegriffin;themildhind
Makesspeedtocatchthetiger;bootlessspeed,
Whencowardicepursuesandvalourflies.
DEMETRIUS
Iwillnotstaythyquestions;letmego:
Or,ifthoufollowme,donotbelieve
ButIshalldotheemischiefinthewood.
HELENA
Ay,inthetemple,inthetown,thefield,
Youdomemischief.Fie,Demetrius!
Yourwrongsdosetascandalonmysex:
Wecannotfightforlove,asmenmaydo;
Weshouldbewoodandwerenotmadetowoo.
ExitDEMETRIUS

I'llfollowtheeandmakeaheavenofhell,
TodieuponthehandIlovesowell.
Exit
OBERON
Faretheewell,nymph:erehedoleavethisgrove,
Thoushaltflyhimandheshallseekthylove.
ReenterPUCK
Hastthoutheflowerthere?Welcome,wanderer.
PUCK
Ay,thereitis.
OBERON
Ipraythee,giveitme.
Iknowabankwherethewildthymeblows,
Whereoxlipsandthenoddingvioletgrows,
Quiteovercanopiedwithlusciouswoodbine,
Withsweetmuskrosesandwitheglantine:
TheresleepsTitaniasometimeofthenight,
Lull'dintheseflowerswithdancesanddelight;
Andtherethesnakethrowsherenamell'dskin,
Weedwideenoughtowrapafairyin:
AndwiththejuiceofthisI'llstreakhereyes,
Andmakeherfullofhatefulfantasies.
Takethousomeofit,andseekthroughthisgrove:
AsweetAthenianladyisinlove
Withadisdainfulyouth:anointhiseyes;
Butdoitwhenthenextthingheespies
Maybethelady:thoushaltknowtheman
BytheAtheniangarmentshehathon.
Effectitwithsomecare,thathemayprove
Morefondonherthansheuponherlove:
Andlookthoumeetmeerethefirstcockcrow.
PUCK
Fearnot,mylord,yourservantshalldoso.
Exeunt

SCENEII.Anotherpartofthewood.

EnterTITANIA,withhertrain
TITANIA
Come,nowaroundelandafairysong;
Then,forthethirdpartofaminute,hence;
Sometokillcankersinthemuskrosebuds,
Somewarwithreremicefortheirleathernwings,
Tomakemysmallelvescoats,andsomekeepback
Theclamorousowlthatnightlyhootsandwonders
Atourquaintspirits.Singmenowasleep;
Thentoyourofficesandletmerest.
TheFairiessing
Youspottedsnakeswithdoubletongue,
Thornyhedgehogs,benotseen;
Newtsandblindworms,donowrong,
Comenotnearourfairyqueen.
Philomel,withmelody
Singinoursweetlullaby;
Lulla,lulla,lullaby,lulla,lulla,lullaby:
Neverharm,
Norspellnorcharm,
Comeourlovelyladynigh;
So,goodnight,withlullaby.
Weavingspiders,comenothere;
Hence,youlonglegg'dspinners,hence!
Beetlesblack,approachnotnear;
Wormnorsnail,donooffence.
Philomel,withmelody,&c.
Fairy
Hence,away!nowalliswell:
Onealoofstandsentinel.
ExeuntFairies.TITANIAsleeps

EnterOBERONandsqueezesthefloweronTITANIA'seyelids
OBERON
Whatthouseestwhenthoudostwake,
Doitforthytruelovetake,
Loveandlanguishforhissake:
Beitounce,orcat,orbear,
Pard,orboarwithbristledhair,
Inthyeyethatshallappear
Whenthouwakest,itisthydear:
Wakewhensomevilethingisnear.
Exit
EnterLYSANDERandHERMIA
LYSANDER
Fairlove,youfaintwithwanderinginthewood;
Andtospeaktroth,Ihaveforgotourway:
We'llrestus,Hermia,ifyouthinkitgood,
Andtarryforthecomfortoftheday.
HERMIA
Beitso,Lysander:findyououtabed;
ForIuponthisbankwillrestmyhead.
LYSANDER
Oneturfshallserveaspillowforusboth;
Oneheart,onebed,twobosomsandonetroth.
HERMIA
Nay,goodLysander;formysake,mydear,
Liefurtheroffyet,donotliesonear.
LYSANDER
O,takethesense,sweet,ofmyinnocence!
Lovetakesthemeaninginlove'sconference.
Imean,thatmyheartuntoyoursisknit
Sothatbutoneheartwecanmakeofit;
Twobosomsinterchainedwithanoath;
Sothentwobosomsandasingletroth.

Thenbyyoursidenobedroommedeny;
Forlyingso,Hermia,Idonotlie.
HERMIA
Lysanderriddlesveryprettily:
Nowmuchbeshrewmymannersandmypride,
IfHermiameanttosayLysanderlied.
But,gentlefriend,forloveandcourtesy
Liefurtheroff;inhumanmodesty,
Suchseparationasmaywellbesaid
Becomesavirtuousbachelorandamaid,
Sofarbedistant;and,goodnight,sweetfriend:
Thylovene'eraltertillthysweetlifeend!
LYSANDER
Amen,amen,tothatfairprayer,sayI;
AndthenendlifewhenIendloyalty!
Hereismybed:sleepgivetheeallhisrest!
HERMIA
Withhalfthatwishthewisher'seyesbepress'd!
Theysleep
EnterPUCK
PUCK
ThroughtheforesthaveIgone.
ButAthenianfoundInone,
OnwhoseeyesImightapprove
Thisflower'sforceinstirringlove.
Nightandsilence.Whoishere?
WeedsofAthenshedothwear:
Thisishe,mymastersaid,
DespisedtheAthenianmaid;
Andherethemaiden,sleepingsound,
Onthedankanddirtyground.
Prettysoul!shedurstnotlie
Nearthislacklove,thiskillcourtesy.
Churl,uponthyeyesIthrow

Allthepowerthischarmdothowe.
Whenthouwakest,letloveforbid
Sleephisseatonthyeyelid:
SoawakewhenIamgone;
ForImustnowtoOberon.
Exit
EnterDEMETRIUSandHELENA,running
HELENA
Stay,thoughthoukillme,sweetDemetrius.
DEMETRIUS
Ichargethee,hence,anddonothauntmethus.
HELENA
O,wiltthoudarklingleaveme?donotso.
DEMETRIUS
Stay,onthyperil:Ialonewillgo.
Exit
HELENA
O,Iamoutofbreathinthisfondchase!
Themoremyprayer,thelesserismygrace.
HappyisHermia,wheresoe'ershelies;
Forshehathblessedandattractiveeyes.
Howcamehereyessobright?Notwithsalttears:
Ifso,myeyesareoftenerwash'dthanhers.
No,no,Iamasuglyasabear;
Forbeaststhatmeetmerunawayforfear:
ThereforenomarvelthoughDemetrius
Do,asamonsterflymypresencethus.
Whatwickedanddissemblingglassofmine
MademecomparewithHermia'sspheryeyne?
Butwhoishere?Lysander!ontheground!
Dead?orasleep?Iseenoblood,nowound.
Lysanderifyoulive,goodsir,awake.
LYSANDER

[Awaking]AndrunthroughfireIwillforthysweetsake.
TransparentHelena!Natureshowsart,
Thatthroughthybosommakesmeseethyheart.
WhereisDemetrius?O,howfitaword
Isthatvilenametoperishonmysword!
HELENA
Donotsayso,Lysander;saynotso
WhatthoughheloveyourHermia?Lord,whatthough?
YetHermiastilllovesyou:thenbecontent.
LYSANDER
ContentwithHermia!No;Idorepent
ThetediousminutesIwithherhavespent.
NotHermiabutHelenaIlove:
Whowillnotchangearavenforadove?
Thewillofmanisbyhisreasonsway'd;
Andreasonsaysyouaretheworthiermaid.
Thingsgrowingarenotripeuntiltheirseason
SoI,beingyoung,tillnowripenottoreason;
Andtouchingnowthepointofhumanskill,
Reasonbecomesthemarshaltomywill
Andleadsmetoyoureyes,whereIo'erlook
Love'sstorieswritteninlove'srichestbook.
HELENA
WhereforewasItothiskeenmockeryborn?
WhenatyourhandsdidIdeservethisscorn?
Is'tnotenough,is'tnotenough,youngman,
ThatIdidnever,no,nornevercan,
DeserveasweetlookfromDemetrius'eye,
Butyoumustfloutmyinsufficiency?
Goodtroth,youdomewrong,goodsooth,youdo,
Insuchdisdainfulmannermetowoo.
Butfareyouwell:perforceImustconfess
Ithoughtyoulordofmoretruegentleness.
O,thatalady,ofonemanrefused.
Shouldofanotherthereforebeabused!

Exit
LYSANDER
SheseesnotHermia.Hermia,sleepthouthere:
AndnevermaystthoucomeLysandernear!
Forasasurfeitofthesweetestthings
Thedeepestloathingtothestomachbrings,
Orastieheresiesthatmendoleave
Arehatedmostofthosetheydiddeceive,
Sothou,mysurfeitandmyheresy,
Ofallbehated,butthemostofme!
And,allmypowers,addressyourloveandmight
TohonourHelenandtobeherknight!
Exit
HERMIA
[Awaking]Helpme,Lysander,helpme!dothybest
Topluckthiscrawlingserpentfrommybreast!
Ayme,forpity!whatadreamwashere!
Lysander,lookhowIdoquakewithfear:
Methoughtaserpenteatmyheartaway,
Andyousatsmilingathiscruelpray.
Lysander!what,removed?Lysander!lord!
What,outofhearing?gone?nosound,noword?
Alack,whereareyouspeak,anifyouhear;
Speak,ofallloves!Iswoonalmostwithfear.
No?thenIwellperceiveyouallnotnigh
EitherdeathoryouI'llfindimmediately.
Exit