A Midsommer Nights Dreame [A Midsummer Night's Dream]
William Shakespeare
Original text: Bodleian Libraries · Shakespeare First Folio (1623), Bodleian Library Arch. G c.7; diplomatic TEI transcription
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A MIDSOMMER Nights Dreame.
Actus primus.
Enter Theseus, Hippolita, with others.
Theseus. NOw faire Hippolita, our nuptiall houre Drawes on apace: foure happy daies bring in Another Moon: but…
Hip. Foure daies wil quickly steep theēselues in nights Foure nights wil quickly dreame away the time: And…
The. Go Philostrate, Stirre vp the Athenian youth to merriments, Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth,…
Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius.
Ege. Happy be Theseus, our renowned Duke.
The. Thanks good Egeus: what's the news with thee?
Ege. Full of vexation, come I, with complaint Against my childe, my daughter Hermia. Stand forth Dometrius. My…
The. What say you Hermia? be aduis'd faire Maide, To you your Father should be as a God;…
Her. So is Lysander.
The. In himselfe he is. But in this kinde, wanting your fathers voyce. The other must be held…
Her. I would my father look'd but with my eyes.
The. Rather your eies must with his iudgment looke.
Her. I do entreat your Grace to pardon me. I know not by what power I am made…
The. Either to dye the death, or to abiure For euer the society of men. Therefore faire Hermia…
Her. So will I grow, so liue, so die my Lord, Ere I will yeeld my virgin Patent…
The. Take time to pause, and by the next new Moon The sealing day betwixt my loue and…
Dem. Relent sweet Hermia, and Lysander, yeelde Thy crazed title to my certaine right.
Lys. You haue her fathers loue, Demetrius: Let me haue Hermiaes: do you marry him.
Egeus. Scornfull Lysander, true, he hath my Loue; And what is mine, my loue shall render him. And…
Lys. I am my Lord, as well deriu'd as he, As well possest: my loue is more then…
The. I must confesse, that I haue heard so much, And with Demetrius thought to haue spoke thereof:…
Ege. With dutie and desire we follow you.
Exeunt
Manet Lysander and Hermia.
Lys. How now my loue? Why is your cheek so pale? How chance the Roses there do fade…
Her. Belike for want of raine, which I could well Beteeme them, from the tempest of mine eyes.
Lys. For ought that euer I could reade, Could euer heare by tale or historie, The course of…
Her. O crosse! too high to be enthral'd to loue.
Lys. Or else misgraffed, in respect of yeares.
Her. O spight! too old to be ingag'd to yong.
Lys. Or else it stood vpon the choise of merit.
Her. O hell! to choose loue by anothers eie.
Lys. Or if there were a simpathie in choise, Warre, death, or sicknesse, did lay siege to it;…
Her. If then true Louers haue beene euer crost, It stands as an edict in destinie: Then let…
Lys. A good perswasion; therefore heare me Hermia, I haue a Widdow Aunt, a dowager, Of great reuennew,…
Her. My good Lysander, I sweare to thee, by Cupids strongest bow, By his best arrow with the…
Lys. Keepe promise loue: looke here comes Helena.
Enter Helena.
Her. God speede faire Helena, whither away?
Hel. Cal you me faire? that faire againe vnsay, Demetrius loues you faire: O happie faire! Your eyes…
Her. I frowne vpon him, yet he loues me still.
Hel. O that your frownes would teach my smiles such skil.
Her. I giue him curses, yet he giues me loue.
Hel. O that my prayers could such affection mooue.
Her. The more I hate, the more he followes me.
Hel. The more I loue, the more he hateth me.
Her. His folly Helena is none of mine.
Hel. None but your beauty, wold that fault wer mine
Her. Take comfort: he no more shall see my face, Lysander and my selfe will flie this place.…
Lys. Helen, to you our mindes we will vnfold, To morrow night, when Phoebe doth behold Her siluer…
Her. And in the wood, where often you and I, Vpon faint Primrose beds, were wont to lye,…
Exit Hermia.
Lys. I will my Hermia. Helena adieu, As you on him, Demetrius dotes on you.
Exit Lysander.
Hele. How happy some, ore othersome can be? Through Athens I am thought as faire as she. But…
Exit.
Enter Quince the Carpenter, Snug the Ioyner, Bottome the Weauer, Flute the bellowes‑mender, Snout the Tinker, and Starueling…
Quin. Is all our company heere?
Bot. You were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip.
Qui. Here is the scrowle of euery mans name, which is thought fit through all Athens, to play…
Bot. First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on: then read the names of the Actors:…
Quin. Marry our play is the most lamentable Come dy, and most cruell death of Pyramus and Thisbie.
Bot. A very good peece of worke I assure you, and a merry. Now good Peter Quince, call…
Quince. Answere as I call you. Nick Bottome the Weauer.
Bottome. Ready; name what part I am for, and proceed.
Quince. You Nicke Bottome are set downe for Py ramus.
Bot. What is Pyramus, a louer, or a tyrant?
Quin. A Louer that kills himselfe most gallantly for loue.
Bot. That will aske some teares in the true perfor ming of it: if I do it, let…
Quin. Francis Flute the Bellowes‑mender.
Flu. Heere Peter Quince.
Quin. You must take Thisbie on you.
Flut. What is Thisbie, a wandring Knight?
Quin. It is the Lady that Pyramus must loue.
Flut. Nay faith, let not mee play a woman, I haue a beard comming.
Qui. That's all one, you shall play it in a Maske, and you may speake as small as…
Bot. And I may hide my face, let me play Thisbie too: Ile speake in a monstrous little…
Quin. No no, you must play Pyramus, and Flute, you Thisby.
Bot. Well, proceed.
Qu. Robin Starueling the Taylor.
Star. Heere Peter Quince.
Quince. Robin Starueling, you must play Thisbies mother? Tom Snowt, the Tinker.
Snowt. Heere Peter Quince.
Quin. You, Pyramus father; my self, Thisbies father; Snugge the Ioyner, you the Lyons part: and I hope…
Snug. Haue you the Lions part written? pray you if be, giue it me, for I am slow…
Quin. You may doe it extemporie, for it is nothing but roaring.
Bot. Let mee play the Lyon too, I will roare that I will doe any mans heart good…
Quin. If you should doe it too terribly, you would fright the Dutchesse and the Ladies, that they…
All. That would hang vs euery mothers sonne.
Bottome. I graunt you friends, if that you should fright the Ladies out of their Wittes, they would…
Quin. You can play no part but Piramus, for Pira mus is a sweet‑fac'd man, a proper man…
Bot. Well, I will vndertake it. What beard were I best to play it in?
Quin. Why, what you will.
Bot. I will discharge it, in either your straw‑colour beard, your orange tawnie beard, your purple in graine…
Quin. Some of your French Crownes haue no haire at all, and then you will play bare‑fac'd. But…
Bottom. We will meete, and there we may rehearse more obscenely and couragiously. Take paines, be per fect,…
Quin. At the Dukes oake we meete.
Bot. Enough, hold or cut bow‑strings.
Exeunt.
Actus Secundus.
Enter a Fairie at one doore, and Robin good fellow at another.
Rob. How now spirit, whether wander you?
Fai. Ouer hil, ouer dale, through bush, through briar, Ouer parke, ouer pale, through flood, through fire, I…
Rob. The King doth keepe his Reuels here to night, Take heed the Queene come not within his…
Fai. Either I mistake your shape and making quite, Or else you are that shrew'd and knauish spirit…
Rob. Thou speak'st aright; I am that merrie wanderer of the night: I iest to Oberon, and make…
Fair. And heere my Mistris: Would that he vvere gone.
Enter the King of Fairies at one doore with his traine, and the Queene at another with hers.
Ob. Ill met by Moone‑light, Proud Tytania.
Qu. What, iealous Oberon? Fairy skip hence. I haue forsworne his bed and companie.
Ob. Tarrie rash Wanton; am not I thy Lord?
Qu. Then I must be thy Lady: but I know When thou vvast stolne away from Fairy Land,…
Ob. How canst thou thus for shame Tytania, Glance at my credite, vvith Hippolita? Knowing I knovv thy…
Que. These are the forgeries of iealousie, And neuer since the middle Summers spring Met vve on hil,…
Ober. Do you amend it then, it lies in you, Why should Titania crosse her Oberon? I do…
Qu. Set your heart at rest, The Fairy land buyes not the childe of me, His mother was…
Ob. How long within this wood intend you stay?
Qu. Perchance till after Theseus wedding day. If you will patiently dance in our Round, And see our…
Ob. Giue me that boy, and I will goe with thee.
Qu. Not for thy Fairy Kingdome. Fairies away: We shall chide downe right, if I longer stay.
Exeunt.
Ob. Wel, go thy way: thou shalt not from this groue, Till I torment thee for this iniury.…
Puc. I remember.
Ob. That very time I say (but thou couldst not) Flying betweene the cold Moone and the earth,…
Pucke. Ile put a girdle about the earth, in forty mi nutes.
Ober. Hauing once this iuyce, Ile watch Titania, when she is asleepe, And drop the liquor of it…
Enter Demetrius, Helena following him.
Deme. I loue thee not, therefore pursue me not, Where is Lysander, and faire Hermia? The one Ile…
Hel. You draw me, you hard‑hearted Adamant, But yet you draw not Iron, for my heart Is true…
Deme. Do I entice you? do I speake you faire? Or rather doe I not in plainest truth,…
Hel. And euen for that doe I loue thee the more; I am your spaniell, and Demetrius, The…
Dem. Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit, For I am sicke when I do looke…
Hel. And I am sicke when I looke not on you.
Dem. You doe impeach your modesty too much, To leaue the Citty, and commit your selfe Into the…
Hel. Your vertue is my priuiledge: for that It is not night when I doe see your face.…
Dem. Ile run from thee, and hide me in the brakes, And leaue thee to the mercy of…
Hel. The wildest hath not such a heart as you; Runne when you will, the story shall be…
Demet. I will not stay thy questions, let me go; Or if thou follow me, doe not beleeue,…
Hel. I, in the Temple, in the Towne, and Field You doe me mischiefe. Fye Demetrius, Your wrongs…
Exit.
Ob. Fare thee well Nymph, ere he do leaue this groue, Thou shalt flie him, and he shall…
Enter Pucke.
Puck. I, there it is.
Ob. I pray thee giue it me. I know a banke where the wilde time blowes, Where Oxslips…
Pu. Feare not my Lord, your seruant shall do so.
Exit.
Enter Queene of Fairies, with her traine.
Queen. Come, now a Roundell, and a Fairy song; Then for the third part of a minute hence,…
Fairies Sing.
You spotted Snakes with double tongue, Thorny Hedgehogges be not seene, Newts and blinde wormes do no wrong,…
2. Fairy. Weauing Spiders come not heere, Hence you long leg'd Spinners, hence: Beetles blacke approach not neere;…
1. Fairy. Hence away, now all is well; One aloofe, stand Centinell.
Shee sleepes.
Enter Oberon.
Ober. What thou seest when thou dost wake, Doe it for thy true Loue take: Loue and languish…
Enter Lisander and Hermia.
Lis. Faire loue, you faint with wandring in ye woods, And to speake troth I haue forgot our…
Her. Be it so Lysander; finde you out a bed, For I vpon this banke will rest my…
Lys. One turfe shall serue as pillow for vs both, One heart, one bed, two bosomes, and one…
Her. Nay good Lysander, for my sake my deere Lie further off yet, doe not lie so neere.
Lys. O take the sence sweet, of my innocence, Loue takes the meaning, in loues conference, I meane…
Her. Lysander riddles very prettily; Now much beshrew my manners and my pride, If Hermia meant to say,…
Lys. Amen, amen, to that faire prayer, say I, And then end life, when I end loyalty: Heere…
Her. With halfe that wish, the wishers eyes be prest.
Enter Pucke.
They sleepe.
Puck. Through the Forest haue I gone, But Athenian finde I none, One whose eyes I might approue…
Exit.
Enter Demetrius and Helena running.
Hel. Stay, though thou kill me, sweete Demetrius.
De. I charge thee hence, and do not haunt me thus.
Hel. O wilt thou darkling leaue me? do not so.
De. Stay on thy perill, I alone will goe.
Exit Demetrius.
Hel. O I am out of breath, in this fond chace, The more my prayer, the lesser is…
Lys. And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake. Transparent Helena, nature her shewes art, That…
Hel. Do not say so Lysander, say not so: What though he loue your Hermia? Lord, what though?…
Lys. Content with Hermia? No, I do repent The tedious minutes I with her haue spent. Not Hermia,…
Hel. Wherefore was I to this keene mockery borne? When at your hands did I deserue this scorne?…
Exit.
Lys. She sees not Hermia: Hermia sleepe thou there, And neuer maist thou come Lysander neere; For as…
Exit.
Her. Helpe me Lysander, helpe me; do thy best To plucke this crawling serpent from my brest. Aye…
Exit.
Actus Tertius.
Enter the Clownes.
Bot. Are we all met?
Quin. Pat, pat, and here's a maruailous conuenient place for our rehearsall. This greene plot shall be our…
Bot. Peter quince?
Peter. What saist thou, bully Bottome?
Bot. There are things in this Comedy of Piramusand Thisby, that will neuer please. First, Piramus must draw…
Snout. Berlaken, a parlous feare.
Star. I beleeue we must leaue the killing out, when all is done.
Bot. Not a whit, I haue a deuice to make all well. Write me a Prologue, and let…
Quin. Well, we will haue such a Prologue, and it shall be written in eight and sixe.
Bot. No, make it two more, let it be written in eight and eight.
Snout. Will not the Ladies be afear'd of the Lyon?
Star. I feare it, I promise you.
Bot. Masters, you ought to consider with your selues, to bring in (God shield vs) a Lyon among…
Snout. Therefore another Prologue must tell he is not a Lyon.
Bot. Nay, you must name his name, and halfe his face must be seene through the Lyons necke,…
Quin. Well, it shall be so; but there is two hard things, that is, to bring the Moone‑light…
Sn. Doth the Moone shine that night wee play our play?
Bot. A Calender, a Calender, looke in the Almanack, finde out Moone‑shine, finde out Moone‑shine.
Enter Pucke.
Quin. Yes, it doth shine that night.
Bot. Why then may you leaue a casement of the great chamber window (where we play) open, and…
Quin. I, or else one must come in with a bush of thorns and a lanthorne, and say…
Sn. You can neuer bring in a wall. What say you Bottome?
Bot. Some man or other must present wall, and let him haue some Plaster, or some Lome, or…
Quin. If that may be, then all is well. Come, sit downe euery mothers sonne, and rehearse your…
Enter Robin.
Rob. What hempen home‑spuns haue we swagge ring here, So neere the Cradle of the Faierie Queene? What,…
Quin. Speake Piramus: Thisby stand forth.
Pir. Thisby, the flowers of odious sauors sweete.
Quin. Odours, odours.
Pir. Odours sauors sweete, So hath thy breath, my dearest Thisby deare. But harke, a voyce: stay thou…
Exit.Pir.
Puck. A stranger Piramus, then ere plaid here.
This. Must I speake now?
Pet. I marry must you. For you must vnderstand he goes but to see a noyse that he…
Thys. Most radiant Piramus, most Lilly white of hue, Of colour like the red rose on triumphant bryer,…
Pet. Ninus toombe man: why, you must not speake that yet; that you answere to Piramus: you speake…
Thys. O, as true as truest horse, that yet would neuer tyre:
Pir. If I were faire, Thisby I were onely thine.
Pet. O monstrous. O strange. We are hanted; pray masters, flye masters, helpe.
The Clownes all Exit.
Puk. Ile follow you, Ile leade you about a Round, Through bogge, through bush, through brake, through (bryer,…
Exit.
Enter Piramus with the Asse head.
Bot. Why do they run away? This is a knauery of them to make me afeard.
Enter Snowt.
Sn. O Bottom, thou art chang'd; What doe I see on thee?
Bot. What do you see? You see an Asse‑head of your owne, do you?
Enter Peter Quince.
Pet. Blesse thee Bottome, blesse thee; thou art transla ted.
Exit.
Bot. I see their knauery; this is to make an asse of me, to fright me if they…
Tyta. What Angell wakes me from my flowry bed?
Bot. The Finch, the Sparrow, and the Larke, The plainsong Cuckow gray; Whose note full many a man…
Tyta. I pray thee gentle mortall, sing againe, Mine eare is much enamored of thy note; On the…
Bot. Me‑thinkes mistresse, you should haue little reason for that: and yet to say the truth, reason and…
Tyta. Thou art as wise, as thou art beautifull.
Bot. Not so neither: but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I haue…
Tyta. Out of this wood, do not desire to goe, Thou shalt remaine here, whether thou wilt or…
Enter Pease‑blossome, Cobweb, Moth, Mustard‑ seede, and foure Fairies.
Fai. Ready; and I, and I, and I, Where shall we go?
Tita. Be kinde and curteous to this Gentleman, Hop in his walkes, and gambole in his eies, Feede…
1. Fai. Haile mortall, haile.
2. Fai. Haile.
3. Fai. Haile.
Bot. I cry your worships mercy hartily; I beseech your worships name.
Cob. Cobweb.
Bot. I shall desire you of more acquaintance, good Master Cobweb: if I cut my finger, I shall…
Peas. Pease blossome.
Bot. I pray you commend mee to mistresse Squash, your mother, and to master Peascod your father. Good…
Mus. Mustard‑seede.
Peas. Pease‑blossome.
Bot. Good master Mustard seede, I know your pati ence well: that same cowardly gyant‑like Oxe beefe hath…
Tita. Come waite vpon him, lead him to my bower. The Moone me‑thinks, lookes with a watrie eie,…
Exit.
Enter King of Pharies, solus.
Ob. I wonder if Titania be awak't; Then what it was that next came in her eye, Which…
Puck. My Mistris with a monster is in loue, Neere to her close and consecrated bower, While she…
Ob. This fals out better then I could deuise: But hast thou yet lacht the Athenians eyes, With…
Rob. I tooke him sleeping (that is finisht to) And the Athenian woman by his side, That when…
Enter Demetrius and Hermia.
Ob. Stand close, this is the same Athenian.
Rob. This is the woman, but not this the man.
Dem. O why rebuke you him that loues you so? Lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe.
Her. Now I but chide, but I should vse thee worse. For thou (I feare) hast giuen me…
Dem. So should the murderer looke, and so should I, Pierst through the heart with your stearne cruelty:…
Her. What's this to my Lysander? where is he? Ah good Demetrius, wilt thou giue him me?
Dem. I'de rather giue his carkasse to my hounds.
Her. Out dog, out cur, thou driu'st me past the bounds Of maidens patience. Hast thou slaine him…
Dem. You spend your passion on a mispri'sd mood, I am not guiltie of Lysanders blood: Nor is…
Her. I pray thee tell me then that he is well.
Dem. And if I could, what should I get therefore?
Her. A priuiledge, neuer to see me more; And from thy hated presence part I: see me no…
Exit.
Dem. There is no following her in this fierce vaine, Here therefore for a while I will remaine.…
Lie downe.
Ob. What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite And laid the loue iuyce on some true loues…
Rob. Then fate ore‑rules, that one man holding troth, A million faile, confounding oath on oath.
Ob. About the wood, goe swifter then the winde, And Helena of Athens looke thou finde. All fancy…
Robin. I go, I go, looke how I goe, Swifter then arrow from the Tartars bowe.
Exit.
Ob. Flower of this purple die, Hit with Cupids archery, Sinke in apple of his eye, When his…
Enter Pucke.
Puck. Captaine of our Fairy band, Helena is heere at hand, And the youth, mistooke by me, Pleading…
Ob. Stand aside: the noyse they make, Will cause Demetrius to awake.
Puck. Then will two at once wooe one, That must needs be sport alone: And those things doe…
Enter Lysander and Helena.
Lys. Why should you think yt I should wooe in scorn? Scorne and derision neuer comes in teares:…
Hel. You doe aduance your cunning more & more, When truth kils truth, O diuelish holy fray! These…
Lys. I had no iudgement, when to her I swore.
Hel. Nor none in my minde, now you giue her ore.
Lys. Demetrius loues her, and he loues not you.
Awa.
Dem. O Helen, goddesse, nimph, perfect, diuine, To what my, loue, shall I compare thine eyne! Christall is…
Hell. O spight! O hell! I see you are all bent To set against me, for your merriment:…
Lysa. You are vnkind Demetrius; be not so, For you loue Hermia; this you know I know; And…
Hel. Neuer did mockers wast more idle breth.
Dem. Lysander, keep thy Hermia, I will none: If ere I lou'd her, all that loue is gone.…
Lys. It is not so.
De. Disparage not the faith thou dost not know, Lest to thy perill thou abide it deare. Looke…
Enter Hermia.
Her. Dark night, that from the eye his function takes, The eare more quicke of apprehension makes, Wherein…
Lysan. Why should hee stay whom Loue doth presse (to go?
Her. What loue could presse Lysander from my side?
Lys. Lysanders loue (that would not let him bide) Faire Helena; who more engilds the night, Then all…
Her. You speake not as you thinke; it cannot be.
Hel. Loe, she is one of this confederacy, Now I perceiue they haue conioyn'd all three, To fashion…
Her. I am amazed at your passionate words, I scorne you not; It seemes that you scorne me.
Hel. Haue you not set Lysander, as in scorne To follow me, and praise my eies and face?…
Her. I vnderstand not what you meane by this.
Hel. I, doe, perseuer, counterfeit sad lookes, Make mouthes vpon me when I turne my backe, Winke each…
Lys. Stay gentle Helena, heare my excuse, My loue, my life, my soule, faire Helena.
Hel. O excellent!
Her. Sweete, do not scorne her so.
Dem. If she cannot entreate, I can compell.
Lys. Thou canst compell, no more then she entreate. Thy threats haue no more strength then her weak…
Dem. I say, I loue thee more then he can do.
Lys. If thou say so, with‑draw and proue it too.
Dem. Quick, come.
Her. Lysander, whereto tends all this?
Lys. Away, you Ethiope.
Dem. No, no, Sir, seeme to breake loose; Take on as you would follow, But yet come not:…
Lys. Hang off thou cat, thou bur; vile thing let loose, Or I will shake thee from me…
Her. Why are you growne so rude? What change is this sweete Loue?
Lys. Thy loue? out tawny Tartar, out; Out loathed medicine; O hated poison hence.
Her. Do you not iest?
Hel. Yes sooth, and so do you.
Lys. Demetrius: I will keepe my word with thee.
Dem. I would I had your bond: for I perceiue A weake bond holds you; Ile not trust…
Lys. What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead? Although I hate her, Ile not harme…
Her. What, can you do me greater harme then hate? Hate me, wherefore? O me, what newes my…
Lys. I, by my life; And neuer did desire to see thee more. Therefore be out of hope,…
Her. O me, you iugler, you canker blossome, You theefe of loue; What, haue you come by night,…
Hel. Fine yfaith: Haue you no modesty, no maiden shame, No touch of bashfulnesse? What, will you teare…
Her. Puppet? why so? I, that way goes the game. Now I perceiue that she hath made compare…
Hel. I pray you though you mocke me, gentlemen, Let her not hurt me; I was neuer curst:…
Her. Lower? harke againe.
Hel. Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me, I euermore did loue you Hermia, Did euer…
Her. Why get you gone: who ist that hinders you?
Hel. A foolish heart, that I leaue here behinde.
Her. What, with Lysander?
Her. With Demetrius.
Lys. Be not afraid, she shall not harme thee Helena.
Dem. No sir, she shall not, though you take her part.
Hel. O when she's angry, she is keene and shrewd, She was a vixen when she went to…
Her. Little againe? Nothing but low and little? Why will you suffer her to flout me thus? Let…
Lys. Get you gone you dwarfe, You minimus, of hindring knot‑grasse made, You bead, you acorne.
Dem. You are too officious, In her behalfe that scornes your seruices. Let her alone, speake not of…
Lys. Now she holds me not, Now follow if thou dar'st, to try whose right, Of thine or…
Dem. Follow? Nay, Ile goe with thee cheeke by iowle.
Exit Lysander and Demetrius.
Her. You Mistris, all this coyle is long of you. Nay, goe not backe.
Hel. I will not trust you I, Nor longer stay in your curst companie. Your hands then mine,…
Enter Oberon and Pucke.
Ob. This is thy negligence, still thou mistak'st, Or else committ'st thy knaueries willingly.
Puck. Beleeue me, King of shadowes, I mistooke, Did not you tell me, I should know the man,…
Ob. Thou seest these Louers seeke a place to fight, Hie therefore Robin, ouercast the night, The starrie…
Puck. My Fairie Lord, this must be done with haste, For night‑swift Dragons cut the Clouds full fast,…
Ob. But we are spirits of another sort: I, with the mornings loue haue oft made sport, And…
Puck. Vp and downe, vp and downe, I will leade them vp and downe: I am fear'd in…
Enter Lysander.
Lys. Where art thou, proud Demetrius? Speake thou now.
Rob. Here villaine, drawne & readie. Where art thou?
Lys. I will be with thee straight.
Rob. Follow me then to plainer ground.
Enter Demetrius.
Dem. Lysander, speake againe; Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled? Speake in some bush: Where dost thou…
Rob. Thou coward, art thou bragging to the stars, Telling the bushes that thou look'st for wars, And…
Dem. Yea, art thou there?
Ro. Follow my voice, we'l try no manhood here.
Exit.
Lys. He goes before me, and still dares me on, When I come where he cals, then he's…
Enter Robin and Demetrius.
Rob. Ho, ho, ho; coward, why com'st thou not?
Dem. Abide me, if thou dar'st. For well I wot, Thou runst before me, shifting euery place, And…
Rob. Come hither, I am here.
Dem. Nay then thou mock'st me; thou shalt buy this deere, If euer I thy face by day‑light…
Enter Helena.
Hel. O weary night, O long and tedious night, Abate thy houres, shine comforts from the East, That…
Sleepe.
Rob. Yet but three? Come one more, Two of both kindes makes vp foure. Here she comes, curst…
Her. Neuer so wearie, neuer so in woe, Bedabbled with the dew, and torne with briars, I can…
Rob. On the ground sleepe sound, Ile apply your eie gentle louer, remedy. When thou wak'st, thou tak'st…
They sleepe all the Act.
Actus Quartus.
Enter Queene of Fairies, and Clowne, and Fairies, and the King behinde them.
Tita. Come, sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed, While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy, And sticke…
Clow. Where's Pease blossome?
Peas. Ready.
Clow. Scratch my head, Pease‑blossome. Wher's Moun sieuer Cobweb.
Cob. Ready.
Clowne. Mounsieur Cobweb, good Mounsier get your weapons in your hand, & kill me a red hipt humble‑Bee,…
Mus. Ready.
Clo. Giue me your neafe, Mounsieur Mustardseed. Pray you leaue your courtesie good Mounsieur.
Mus. What's your will?
Clo. Nothing good Mounsieur, but to help Caualery Cobweb to scratch. I must to the Barbers Mounsieur, for…
Tita. What, wilt thou heare some musicke, my sweet loue.
Clow. I haue a reasonable good eare in musicke. Let vs haue the tongs and the bones.
Musicke Tongs, Rurall Musicke.
Tita. Or say sweete Loue, what thou desirest to eat.
Clowne. Truly a pecke of Prouender; I could munch your good dry Oates. Me‑thinkes I haue a great…
Tita. I haue a venturous Fairy, That shall seeke the Squirrels hoard, And fetch thee new Nuts.
Clown. I had rather haue a handfull or two of dried pease. But I pray you let none…
Tyta. Sleepe thou, and I will winde thee in my arms, Fairies be gone, and be alwaies away.…
Enter Robin goodfellow and Oberon.
Ob. Welcome good Robin: Seest thou this sweet sight? Her dotage now I doe begin to pitty. For…
Tita. My Oberon, what visions haue I seene! Me‑thought I was enamoured of an Asse.
Ob. There lies your loue.
Tita. How came these things to passe? Oh, how mine eyes doth loath this visage now!
Ob. Silence a while. Robin take off his head: Titania, musick call, and strike more dead Then common…
Tita. Musicke, ho musicke, such as charmeth sleepe.
Musick still.
Rob. When thou wak'st, with thine owne fooles eies peepe.
Ob. Sound musick; come my Queen, take hands with (me And rocke the ground whereon these sleepers be.…
Rob. Faire King attend, and marke, I doe heare the morning Larke.
Ob. Then my Queene in silence sad, Trip we after the nights shade; We the Globe can compasse…
Tita. Come my Lord, and in our flight, Tell me how it came this night, That I sleeping…
Exeunt.
Winde Hornes.
Enter Theseus, Egeus, Hippolita and all his traine.
Thes. Goe one of you, finde out the Forrester, For now our obseruation is perform'd; And since we…
Hip. I was with Hercules and Cadmus once, When in a wood of Creete they bayed the Beare…
Thes. My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kinde, So flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are…
Egeus. My Lord, this is my daughter heere asleepe, And this Lysander, this Demetrius is, This Helena, olde…
The. No doubt they rose vp early, to obserue The right of May; and hearing our intent, Came…
Egeus. It is, my Lord.
Thes. Goe bid the hunts‑men wake them with their hornes.
Hornes and they wake.
Shout within, they all start vp.
Thes. Good morrow friends: Saint Valentine is past, Begin these wood birds but to couple now?
Lys. Pardon my Lord.
Thes. I pray you all stand vp. I know you two are Riuall enemies. How comes this gentle…
Lys. My Lord, I shall reply amazedly, Halfe sleepe, halfe waking. But as yet, I sweare, I cannot…
Ege. Enough, enough, my Lord: you haue enough; I beg the Law, the Law, vpon his head: They…
Dem. My Lord, faire Helen told me of their stealth, Of this their purpose hither, to this wood,…
Thes. Faire Louers, you are fortunately met; Of this discourse we shall heare more anon. Egeus, I will…
Exit Duke and Lords.
Dem. These things seeme small & vndistinguishable, Like farre off mountaines turned into Clouds.
Her. Me‑thinks I see these things with parted eye, When euery things seemes double.
Hel. So me‑thinkes: And I haue found Demetrius, like a iewell, Mine owne, and not mine owne.
Dem. It seemes to mee, That yet we sleepe, we dreame. Do not you thinke, The Duke was…
Her. Yea, and my Father.
Hel. And Hippolitæ.
Lys. And he bid vs follow to the Temple.
Dem. Why then we are awake; lets follow him, and by the way let vs recount our dreames.
Bottome wakes.
Exit Louers.
Clo. When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer. My next is, most faire Piramus. Hey…
Exit.
Enter Quince, Flute, Thisbie, Snout, and Starueling.
Quin. Haue you sent to Bottomes house? Is he come home yet?
Staru. He cannot be heard of. Out of doubt hee is transported.
This. If he come not, then the play is mar'd. It goes not forward, doth it?
Quin. It is not possible: you haue not a man in all Athens, able to discharge Piramus but…
This. No, hee hath simply the best wit of any handy craft man in Athens.
Quin. Yea, and the best person too, and hee is a very Paramour, for a sweet voyce.
This. You must say, Paragon. A Paramour is (God blesse vs) a thing of nought.
Enter Snug the Ioyner.
Snug. Masters, the Duke is comming from the Tem ple, and there is two or three Lords &…
This. O sweet bully Bottome: thus hath he lost sixe pence a day, during his life; he could…
Enter Bottome.
Bot. Where are these Lads? Where are these hearts?
Quin. Bottome, ô most couragious day! O most hap pie houre!
Bot. Masters, I am to discourse wonders; but ask me not what. For if I tell you, I…
Qu. Let vs heare, sweet Bottome.
Bot. Not a word of me: all that I will tell you, is, that the Duke hath dined.…
Exeunt.
Actus Quintus.
Enter Theseus, Hippolita, Egeus and his Lords.
Hip. 'Tis strange my Theseus, yt these louers speake of.
The. More strange then true. I neuer may beleeue These anticke fables, nor these Fairy toyes, Louers and…
Hip. But all the storie of the night told ouer, And all their minds transfigur'd so together, More…
Enter louers, Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, and Helena.
The. Heere come the louers, full of ioy and mirth: Ioy, gentle friends, ioy and fresh dayes Of…
Lys. More then to vs, waite in your royall walkes, your boord, your bed.
The. Come now, what maskes, what dances shall we haue, To weare away this long age of three…
Ege. Heere mighty Theseus.
The. Say, what abridgement haue you for this eue ning? What maske? What musicke? How shall we beguile…
Ege. There is a breefe how many sports are rife: Make choise of which your Highnesse will see…
Lis. The battell with the Centaurs to be sung By an Athenian Eunuch, to the Harpe.
The. Wee'l none of that. That haue I told my Loue In glory of my kinsman Hercules.
Lis. The riot of the tipsie Bachanals, Tearing the Thracian singer, in their rage?
The. That is an old deuice, and it was plaid When I from Thebes came last a Conqueror.
Lis. The thrice three Muses, mourning for the death of learning, late deceast in beggerie.
The. That is some Satire keene and criticall, Not sorting with a nuptiall ceremonie.
Lis. A tedious breefe Scene of yong Piramus, And his loue Thisby; very tragicall mirth.
The. Merry and tragicall? Tedious, and briefe? That is, hot ice, and wondrous strange snow. How shall wee…
Ege. A play there is, my Lord, some ten words long, Which is as breefe, as I haue…
Thes. What are they that do play it?
Ege. Hard handed men, that worke in Athens heere, Which neuer labour'd in their mindes till now; And…
Phi. No my noble Lord, it is not for you. I haue heard It ouer, and it is…
Thes. I will heare that play. For neuer any thing Can be amisse, when simplenesse and duty tender…
Hip. I loue not to see wretchednesse orecharged; And duty in his seruice perishing.
Thes. Why gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing.
Hip. He saies, they can doe nothing in this kinde.
Thes. The kinder we, to giue them thanks for nothing Our sport shall be, to take what they…
Egeus. So please your Grace, the Prologue is addrest.
Duke. Let him approach.
Flor. Trum.
Enter the Prologue.
Quince.
Pro. If we offend, it is with our good will. That you should thinke, we come not to…
Thes. This fellow doth not stand vpon points.
Lys. He hath rid his Prologue, like a rough Colt: he knowes not the stop. A good morall…
Hip. Indeed hee hath plaid on his Prologue, like a childe on a Recorder, a sound, but not…
Thes. His speech was like a tangled chaine: nothing impaired, but all disordered. Who is next?
Tawyer with a Trumpet before them.
Enter Pyramus and Thisby, Wall, Moone‑shine, and Lyon.
Prol. Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show, But wonder on, till truth make all things plaine. This…
Exit all but Wall.
Thes. I wonder if the Lion be to speake.
Deme. No wonder, my Lord: one Lion may, when many Asses doe.
Exit Lyon, Thisbie, and Mooneshine.
Wall. In this same Interlude, it doth befall, That I, one Snowt (by name) present a wall: And…
Thes. Would you desire Lime and Haire to speake better?
Deme. It is the vvittiest partition, that euer I heard discourse, my Lord.
Thes. Pyramus drawes neere the Wall, silence.
Enter Pyramus.
Pir. O grim lookt night, ô night with hue so blacke, O night, which euer art, when day…
Thes. The vvall me‑thinkes being sensible, should curse againe.
Pir. No in truth sir, he should not. Deceiuing me, Is Thisbies cue; she is to enter, and…
This. O vvall, full often hast thou heard my mones, For parting my faire Piramus, and me. My…
Pyra. I see a voyce; now vvill I to the chinke, To spy and I can heare my…
This. My Loue thou art, my Loue I thinke.
Pir. Thinke vvhat thou vvilt, I am thy Louers grace, And like Limander am I trusty still.
This. And like Helen till the Fates me kill.
Pir. Not Shafalus to Procrus, was so true.
This. As Shafalus to Procrus, I to you.
Pir. O kisse me through the hole of this vile wall.
This. I kisse the wals hole, not your lips at all.
Pir. Wilt thou at Ninnies tombe meete me straight way?
This. Tide life, tide death, I come without delay.
Wall. Thus haue I Wall, my part discharged so; And being done, thus Wall away doth go.
Exit Clow.
Du. Now is the morall downe betweene the two Neighbors.
Dem. No remedie my Lord, when Wals are so wil full, to heare without vvarning.
Dut. This is the silliest stuffe that ere I heard.
Du. The best in this kind are but shadowes, and the worst are no worse, if imagination amend…
Dut. It must be your imagination then, & not theirs.
Duk. If wee imagine no worse of them then they of themselues, they may passe for excellent men.…
Enter Lyon and Moone‑shine.
Lyon. You Ladies, you (whose gentle harts do feare The smallest monstrous mouse that creepes on floore) May…
Du. A verie gentle beast, and of good conscience.
Dem. The verie best at a beast, my Lord, yt ere I saw.
Lis. This Lion is a verie Fox for his valor.
Du. True, and a Goose for his discretion.
Dem. Not so my Lord: for his valor cannot carrie his discretion, and the Fox carries the Goose.
Du. His discretion I am sure cannot carrie his valor: for the Goose carries not the Fox. It…
Moone. This Lanthorne doth the horned Moone pre sent.
De. He should haue worne the hornes on his head.
Du. Hee is no crescent, and his hornes are inuisible, within the circumference.
Moon. This lanthorne doth the horned Moone pre sent: My selfe, the man i'th Moone doth seeme to…
Du. This is the greatest error of all the rest; the man should be put into the Lanthorne.…
Dem. He dares not come there for the candle. For you see, it is already in snuffe.
Dut. I am vvearie of this Moone; vvould he would change.
Du. It appeares by his smal light of discretion, that he is in the wane: but yet in…
Lys. Proceed Moone.
Moon. All that I haue to say, is to tell you, that the Lanthorne is the Moone; I,…
Dem. Why all these should be in the Lanthorne: for they are in the Moone. But silence, heere…
Enter Thisby.
This. This is old Ninnies tombe: where is my loue?
Lyon. Oh.
The Lion roares, Thisby runs off.
Dem. Well roar'd Lion.
Du. Well run Thisby.
Dut. Well shone Moone. Truly the Moone shines with a good grace.
Du. Wel mouz'd Lion.
Dem. And then came Piramus.
Lys. And so the Lion vanisht.
Enter Piramus.
Pyr. Sweet Moone, I thank thee for thy sunny beames, I thanke thee Moone, for shining now so…
Du. This passion, and the death of a deare friend, Would go neere to make a man looke…
Dut. Beshrew my heart, but I pittie the man.
Pir. O wherefore Nature, did'st thou Lions frame? Since Lion vilde hath heere deflour'd my deere: Which is:…
Dem. No Die, but an ace for him; for he is but one.
Lis. Lesse then an ace man. For he is dead, he is no thing.
Du. With the helpe of a Surgeon, he might yet reco uer, and proue an Asse.
Dut. How chance Moone‑shine is gone before? Thisby comes backe, and findes her Louer.
Enter Thisby.
Duke. She wil finde him by starre‑light. Heere she comes, and her passion ends the play.
Dut. Me thinkes shee should not vse a long one for such a Piramus: I hope she will…
Dem. A Moth wil turne the ballance, which Piramus which Thisby is the better.
Lys. She hath spyed him already, with those sweete (eyes.
Dem. And thus she meanes, videlicit.
This. Asleepe my Loue? What, dead my Doue? O Piramus arise: Speake, Speake. Quite dumbe? Dead, dead? A…
Duk. Moone‑shine & Lion are left to burie the dead.
Deme. I, and Wall too.
Bot. No, I assure you, the wall is downe, that parted their Fathers. Will it please you to…
Duk. No Epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no excuse. Neuer excuse; for when the plaiers…
Exeunt.
Enter Pucke.
Puck Now the hungry Lyons rores, And the Wolfe beholds the Moone: Whilest the heauy ploughman snores, All…
Enter King and Queene of Fairies, with their traine.
Ob. Through the house giue glimmering light, By the dead and drowsie fier, Euerie Elfe and Fairie spright,…
Tita. First rehearse this song by roate, To each word a warbling note. Hand in hand, with Fairie…
Robin. If we shadowes haue offended, Thinke but this (and all is mended) That you haue but slumbred…