A midsommer nights dreame As it hath beene sundry times publickely acted, by the Right honourable, the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. Written by William Shakespeare.

A MIDSOMMER NIGHTS DREAME . Enter Theseus , Hippolita , with others . Theseus . NOw faire Hippolita , our nuptiall hower Draws on apase : fower happy daies bring in An other Moone : but oh , me thinks , how slow This old Moone waues ! She lingers my desires , Like to a Stepdame , or a dowager , Long withering out a yong mans reuenewe . Hip. Fower daies will quickly steepe themselues in night : Fower nights will quickly dreame away the time : And then the Moone , like to a siluer bowe , Now bent in heauen , shall beholde the night Of our solemnities . The. Goe Philostrate , Stirre vp the Athenian youth to merriments , Awake the peart and nimble spirit of mirth , Turne melancholy foorth to funerals : The pale companion is not for our pomp . Hyppolita , I woo'd thee with my sword , And wonne thy loue , doing thee iniuries : But I will wed thee in another key , With pompe , with triumph , and with reueling . Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia , and Lysander and Helena , and Demetrius . Ege . Happy be Theseus , our renowned duke . The. Thankes good Egeus . What s the newes with thee ? Ege . Full of vexation , come I , with complaint Against my childe , my daughter Hermia . Stand forth Demetrius . My noble Lord , This man hath my consent to marry her . Stand forth Lisander . And my gratious Duke , This man hath bewitcht the bosome of my childe . Thou , thou Lysander , thou hast giuen her rimes , And interchang'd loue tokens with my childe : Thou hast , by moone-light , at her windowe sung , With faining voice , verses of faining loue , And stolne the impression of her phantasie : With bracelets of thy haire , rings , gawdes , conceites , Knackes , trifles , nosegaies , sweete meates ( messengers Of strong preuailement in vnhardened youth ) With cunning hast thou filcht my daughters heart , Turnd her obedience ( which is due to mee ) To stubborne harshnesse . And , my gratious Duke , Be it so , she will not here , before your Grace , Consent to marry with Demetrius , I beg the auncient priuiledge of Athens : As she is mine , I may dispose of her : Which shall be , either to this gentleman , Or to her death ; according to our lawe , Immediatly prouided , in that case . The , What say you , Hermia ? Be aduis'd , faire maid . To you , your father should be as a God : One that compos'd your beauties : yea and one , To whome you are but as a forme in wax , By him imprinted , and within his power , To leaue the figure , or disfigure it : Demetrius is a worthy gentleman . Her . So is Lisander . The . In himselfe he is : But in this kinde , wanting your fathers voice , The other must be held the worthier . Her . I would my father lookt but with my eyes . The. Rather your eyes must , with his iudgement , looke , Her . I doe intreat your grace , to pardon mee . I know not by what power , I am made bould ; Nor how it may concerne my modesty , In such a presence , here to plead my thoughts : But I beseech your Grace , that I may knowe The worst that may befall mee in this case , If I refuse to wed Demetrius . The. Either to dy the death , or to abiure , For euer , the society of men . Therefore , faire Hermia , question your desires , Knowe of your youth , examine well your blood , Whether ( if you yeelde not to your fathers choyce ) You can endure the liuery of a Nunne , For aye to be in shady cloyster , mew'd To liue a barraine sister all your life , Chaunting faint hymnes , to the colde fruitlesse Moone . Thrise blessed they , that master so there bloode , To vndergoe such maiden pilgrimage : But earthlyer happy is the rose distild , Then that , which , withering on the virgin thorne , Growes , liues , and dies , in single blessednesse . Her , So will I growe , so liue , so die my Lord , Ere I will yield my virgin Patent , vp Vnto his Lordshippe , whose vnwished yoake My soule consents not to giue souerainty . The. Take time to pawse , and by the next newe moone , The sealing day , betwixt my loue and mee , For euerlasting bond of fellowshippe , Vpon that day either prepare to dye , For disobedience to your fathers will , Or else to wed Demetrius , as he would , Or on Dianaes altar to protest , For aye , austeritie and single life . Deme. Relent , sweete Hermia , and , Lysander , yeeld Thy crazed title to my certaine right . Lys. You haue her fathers loue , Demetrius : Let me haue Hermias : doe you marry him . Egeus . Scornefull Lysander , true , he hath my loue : And what is mine , my loue shall render him . And she is mine , and all my right of her I doe estate unto Demetrius . Lysand. I am my lord , as well deriu'd as hee , As well possest : my loue is more than his : My fortunes euery way as fairely rankt ( If not with vantage ) as Demetrius : And ( which is more then all these boastes can be ) I am belou'd of beautious Hermia . Why should not I then procecute my right ? Demetrius , I le auouch it to his heade , Made loue to Nedars daughter , Helena , And won her soule : and she ( sweete Ladie ) dotes , Deuoutly dotes , dotes in Idolatry , Vpon this spotted and inconstant man . The. I must confesse , that I haue heard so much ; And , with Demetrius , thought to haue spoke thereof : But , being overfull of selfe affaires , My minde did loose it , But Demetrius come , And come Egeus , you shall goe with mee : I haue some priuate schooling for you both . For you , faire Hermia , looke you arme your selfe , To fit your fancies , to your fathers will ; Or else , the Law of Athens yeelds you vp ( Which by no meanes we may extenuate ) To death , or to a vowe of single life . Come my Hyppolita : what cheare my loue ? Demetrius and Egeus goe along : I must employ you in some businesse , Against our nuptiall , and conferre with you Of some thing , nerely that concernes your selues . Ege . With duety desire , we follow you . Exeunt . Lysand. How now my loue ? Why is your cheeke so pale ▪ How chance the roses there doe fade so fast ? Her . Belike , for want of raine : which I could well Beteeme them , from the tempest of my eyes . Lis. Eigh me : for aught that I could euer reade , Could euer here by tale or history , The course of true loue neuer did runne smoothe : But either it was different in bloud ; Her . O crosse ! too high to be inthrald to loue . Lis. Or else misgraffed , in respect of yeares ; Her . O spight ! too olde to be ingag'd to young . Lis. Or else , it stoode vpon the choyce of friends ; Her . O hell , to choose loue by anothers eyes ! Lys. Or , if there were a sympathy in choyce , Warre , death or sicknesse , did lay siege to it ; Making it momentany , as a sound ; Swift , as a shadowe ; short , as any dreame ; Briefe , as the lightning in the collied night , That ( in a spleene ) vnfolds both heauen and earth ; And , ere a man hath power to say , beholde , The iawes of darkenesse do deuoure it vp : So quicke bright things come to confusion . Her . If then true louers haue bin euer crost . It stands as an edict , in destiny : Then let vs teach our triall patience : Because it is a customary crosse , As dewe to loue , as thoughts , and dreames , and sighes , Wishes , and teares ; poore Fancies followers . Lys. A good perswasion : therefore heare mee , Hermia : I haue a widowe aunt , a dowager , Of great reuenew , and she hath no childe ▪ From Athens is her house remote , seauen leagues ▪ And she respectes mee , as her only sonne : There , gentle Hermia , may I marry thee : And to that place , the sharpe Athenian law Can not pursue vs . If thou louest mee , then Steale forth thy fathers house , tomorrow night : And in the wood , a league without the towne ( Where I did meete thee once with Helena To do obseruance to a morne of May ) There will I stay for thee . Her . My good Lysander , I sweare to thee , by Cupids strongest bowe , By his best arrowe , with the golden heade , By the simplicitie of Venus doues , By that which knitteth soules , and prospers loues , And by that fire , which burnd the Carthage queene , When the false Troian vnder saile was seene , By all the vowes that euer men haue broke , ( In number more then euer women spoke ) In that same place thou hast appointed mee , To morrow truely will I meete with thee . Lys. Keepe promise loue : looke , here comes Helena . Enter Helena . Her . God speede faire Helena : wither away ? Hel. Call you mee faire ? That faire againe vnsay . Demetrius loues your faire : ô happy faire ! Your eyes are loadstarres , and your tongues sweete aire More tunable then larke , to sheepeheards eare , When wheat is greene , when hauthorne buddes appeare . Sicknesse is catching : O , were fauour so , Your words I catch , faire Hermia , ere I goe , My eare should catch your voice , my eye , your eye , My tongue should catch your tongues sweete melody . Were the world mine , Demetrius being bated , The rest i le giue to be to you translated . O , teach mee how you looke , and with what Art , You sway the motion of Demetrius heart . Her . I frowne vpon him ; yet hee loues mee still . Hel. O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skil . Her . I giue him curses ; yet he giues mee loue . Hel. O that my prayers could such affection mooue . Her . The more I hate , the more he followes mee . Hel. The more I loue , the more he hateth mee . Her . His folly , Helena , is no fault of mine . Hel. None but your beauty ; would that fault were mine . Her . Take comfort ; he no more shall see my face : Lysander and my selfe will sly this place . Before the time I did Lisander see , Seem'd Athens as a Paradise to mee . O then , what graces in my loue dooe dwell , That hee hath turnd a heauen vnto a hell ! Lys. Helen , to you our mindes wee will vnfould : To morrow night , when Phoebe doth beholde Her siluer visage , in the watry glasse , Decking , with liquid pearle , the bladed grasse ( A time , that louers flights doth still conceale ) Through Athens gates , haue wee deuis'd to steale ▪ Her . And in the wood , where often you and I , Vpon faint Primrose beddes , were wont to lye , Emptying our bosomes , of their counsell sweld , There my Lysander , and my selfe shall meete , And thence , from Athens , turne away our eyes , To seeke new friends and strange companions . Farewell , sweete playfellow : pray thou for vs : And good lucke graunt thee thy Demetrius . Keepe word Lysander : we must starue our sight , From louers foode , till morrow deepe midnight . Exit Hermia . Lys. I will my Hermia . Helena adieu : As you on him , Demetrius dote on you . Exit Lysander . Hele. How happie some , ore othersome , can be ! Through Athens , I am thought as faire as shee . But what of that ? Demetrius thinkes not so : He will not knowe , what all , but hee doe know . And as hee erres , doting on Hermias eyes : So I , admiring of his qualities . Things base and vile , holding no quantitie , Loue can transpose to forme and dignitie . Loue lookes not with the eyes , but with the minde : And therefore is wingd Cupid painted blinde . Nor hath loues minde of any iudgement taste : Wings , and no eyes , figure , vnheedy haste . And therefore is loue said to bee a childe : Because , in choyce , he is so oft beguil'd . As waggish boyes , in game , themselues forsweare : So , the boy , Loue , is periur'd euery where . For , ere Demetrius lookt on Hermias eyen , Hee hayld downe othes , that he was onely mine . And when this haile some heate , from Hermia , felt , So he dissolued , and showrs of oathes did melt . I will goe tell him of faire Hermias flight : Then , to the wodde , will he , to morrow night , Pursue her : and for this intelligence , If I haue thankes , it is a deare expense : But herein meane I to enrich my paine , To haue his sight thither , and back againe . Exit . Enter Quince , the Carpenter ; and Snugge , the Ioyner ; and Bottom , the Weauer ; and Flute , the Bellowes mender ; & Snout , the Tinker ; and Starueling the Tayler . Quin.

Is all our company heere ?

Bot.

You were best to call them generally , man by man , according to the scrippe .

Quin.

Here is the scrowle of euery mans name , which is thought fit , through al Athens , to play in our Enterlude , before the Duke , & the Dutches , on his wedding day at night .

Bott .

First good Peeter Quince , say what the Play treats on : then read the names of the Actors : & so grow to a point .

Quin.

Mary , our Play is the most lamentable comedy , and most cruell death of Pyramus and Thisby .

Bot.

A very good peece of worke , I assure you , & a merry . Now good Peeter Quince , call forth your Actors , by the scrowle . Masters , spreade your selues .

Quin.

Answere , as I call you . Nick Bottom , the Weauer ?

Bott .

Readie : Name what part I am for , and proceede .

Quin.

You , Nick Bottom are set downe for Pyramus .

Bott .

What is Pyramus ? A louer , or a tyrant ?

Quin.

A louer that kils himselfe , most gallant , for loue .

Bott .

That will aske some teares in the true performing of it . If I doe it , let the Audience looke to their eyes : I wil mooue stormes : I will condole , in some measure . To the rest yet , my chiefe humour is for a tyrant . I could play Ercles rarely , or a part to teare a Catin , to make all split the raging rocks : and shiuering shocks , shall breake the locks of prison gates , and Phibbus carre shall shine from farre , and make & marre the foolish Fates . This was loftie . Now , name the rest of the Players . This is Ercles vaine , a tyrants vaine : A louer is more condoling .

Quin.

Francis Flute , the Bellowes mender ?

Flu.

Here Peeter Quince .

Quin.

Flute , you must take Thisby , on you .

Fla.

What is Thisby ? A wandring knight ?

Quin.

It is the Lady , that Pyramus must loue .

Fl.

Nay faith : let not me play a woman : I haue a beard comming .

Quin.

That s all one : you shall play it in a Maske : and you may speake as small as you will .

Bott .

And I may hide my face , let me play Thisby to : I le speake in a monstrous little voice ; Thisne , Thisne , ah Pyramus , my louer deare , thy Thysby deare , & Lady deare .

Qu.

No , no ▪ you must play Pyramus : & Flute , you Thysby .

Bot.

Well , proceede .

Qui.

Robin Starueling , the Tailer ?

Star .

Here Peeter Quince .

Quin.

Robin Starueling , you must play Thysbyes mother ▪ Tom Snowte , the Tinker ?

Snowt .

Here Peter Quince .

Quin.

You , Pyramus father ; my selfe , Thisbies father ; Snugge , the Ioyner , you the Lyons part : And I hope here is a Play fitted .

Snug .

Haue you the Lyons part written ? Pray you , if it bee , giue it mee ▪ for I am slowe of studie .

Quin.

You may doe it , extempore : for it is nothing but roaring .

Bott .

Let mee play the Lyon to . I will roare , that I will doe any mans heart good to heate mee . I will roare , that I will make the Duke say ; Let him roare againe : let him roare againe .

Quin.

And you should do it too terribly , you would fright the Dutchesse , and the Ladies , that they would shrike : and that were inough to hang vs all .

All.

That would hang vs , euery mothers sonne .

Bot.

I grant you , friends , if you should fright the Ladies out of their wits , they would haue no more discretion , but to hang vs : but I will aggrauate my voice so , that I wil roare you as gently , as any sucking doue : I will roare you , and 't were any Nightingale .

Quin.

You can play no part but Piramus : for Piramus is a sweete fac't man ; a proper man as one shall see in a sommers day ; a most louely gentlemanlike man : therefore you must needes play Piramus .

Bot.

Well : I will vndertake it . What beard were I best to play it in ?

Quin.

Why ? what you will .

Bot.

I wil discharge it , in either your straw colour beard , your Orange tawnie bearde , your purple in graine beard , or your french crowne colour beard , your perfit yellow .

Quin.

Some of your french crownes haue no haire at all ; and then you will play bare fac't . But maisters here are your parts , and I am to intreat you , request you , and desire you , to con them by to morrow night : and meete mee in the palace wood , a mile without the towne , by Moone-light ; there will wee rehearse : for if wee meete in the city , wee shal be dogd with company , and our deuises known . In the meane time , I will draw a bill of properties , such as our play wants . I pray you faile me not .

Bot

Wee will meete , & there we may rehearse most obscenely , and coragiously . Take paines , bee perfit : adieu .

Quin.

At the Dukes oke wee meete .

Bot.

Enough : holde , or cut bowstrings . Exeunt .

¶ Enter a Fairie at one doore , and Robin goodfellow at another . Robin . How now spirit , whither wander you ? Fa. Ouer hill , ouer dale , thorough bush , thorough brier , Ouer parke , ouer pale , thorough flood , thorough fire : I do wander euery where ; swifter than the Moons sphere : And I serue the Fairy Queene , to dew her orbs vpon the greene . The cowslippes tall her Pensioners bee , In their gold coats , spottes you see : Those be Rubies , Fairie fauours : In those freckles , liue their sauours . I must goe seeke some dew droppes here , And hang a pearle in euery couslippes eare . Farewell thou Lobbe of spirits : I le be gon . Our Queene , and all her Elues come here anon . Rob. The king doth keepe his Reuels here to night . Take heede the Queene come not within his sight . For Oberon is passing fell and wrath : Because that she , as her attendant , hath A louely boy stollen , from an Indian king : She neuer had so sweete a changeling . And iealous Oberon would haue the childe , Knight of his traine , to trace the forrests wilde . But shee , perforce , withhoulds the loued boy , Crownes him with flowers , and makes him all her ioy . And now , they neuer meete in groue , or greene , By fountaine cleare , or spangled starlight sheene , But they doe square , that all their Elues , for feare , Creepe into a corne cups , and hide them there . Fa. Either I mistake your shape , and making , quite , Or els you are that shrewde and knauish sprite , Called Robin goodfellow . Are not you hee , That frights the maidens of the Villageree , Skim milke , and sometimes labour in the querne , And bootlesse make the breathlesse huswife cherne , And sometime make the drinke to beare no barme , Misselead nightwanderers , laughing at their harme ? Those , that Hobgoblin call you , and sweete Puck , You doe their worke , and they shall haue good luck . Are not you hee ? Rob. Thou speakest aright ; I am that merry wanderer of the night . I ieast to Oberon , and make him smile , When I a fat and beane-fed horse beguile ; Neyghing , in likenesse of a filly fole , And sometime lurke Im a gossippes bole , In very likenesse of a rosted crabbe , And when she drinkes , against her lips I bob , And on her withered dewlop , poure the ale . The wisest Aunt , telling the saddest tale , Sometime , for three foote stoole , mistaketh mee : Then slippe I from her bumme , downe topples she , And tailour cryes , and falles into a coffe ; And then the whole Quire hould their hippes , and loffe , And waxen in their myrth , and neeze , and sweare A merrier hower was neuer wasted there . But roome Faery : here comes Oberon . Fa. And here , my mistresse . Would that he were gon . Enter the King of Fairies , at one doore , with his traine : and the Queene , at another , with hers . Ob. Ill met by moonelight , proud Tytania . Qu. What , Iealous Oberon ? Fairy skippe hence . I haue forsworne his bedde , and company . Ob. Tarry , rash wanton . Am not I thy Lord ? Qu. Then I must be thy Lady : but I know When thou hast stollen away from Fairy land , And in the shape of Corin , sat all day , Playing on pipes of corne , and versing loue , To amorous Phillida . Why art thou here Come from the farthest steppe of India ? But that , forsooth , the bounsing Amason , Your buskind mistresse , and your warriour loue , To Theseus must be wedded ; and you come , To giue their bedde , ioy and prosperitie . Ob. How canst thou thus , for shame , Tytania , Glaunce at my credit , with Hippolita ? Knowing , I know thy loue to Theseus . Didst not thou lead him through the glimmering night . From Perigenia , whom he rauished ? And make him , with faire Eagles , breake his faith With Ariadne , and Antiopa ? Quee. These are the forgeries of iealousie : And neuer , since the middle Sommers spring , Met we on hill , in dale , forrest , or meade , By paued fountaine , or by rushie brooke , Or in the beached margent of the Sea , To daunce our ringlets to the whistling winde , But with thy brawles thou hast disturbd our sport . Therefore the windes , pyping to vs in vaine , As in reuenge , haue suckt vp , from the Sea , Contagious fogges : which , falling in the land , Hath euery pel●ing riuer made so proude , That they haue ouerborne their Continents . The Oxe hath therefore stretcht his yoake in vaine , The Ploughman lost his sweat , and the greene corne Hath rotted , ere his youth attainde a bearde : The fold stands empty , in the drowned field , And crowes are fatted with the murrion flocke . The nine mens Morris is fild vp with mudde : And the queint Mazes , in the wanton greene , For lacke of tread , are vndistinguishable . The humane mortals want their winter heere . No night is now with hymne or carroll blest . Therefore the Moone ( the gouernesse of floods ) Pale in her anger , washes all the aire ; That Rheumaticke diseases doe abound . And , thorough this distemperature , wee see The seasons alter : hoary headed frosts Fall in the fresh lappe of the Crymson rose , And on old Hyems chinne and Icy crowne , An odorous Chaplet of sweete Sommer buddes Is , as in mockery , set . The Spring , the Sommer , The childing Autumne , angry Winter change Their wonted Liueries : and the mazed worlde , By their increase , now knowes not which is which : And this same progeny of euils , Comes from our debate , from our dissention : We are their Parents and originall . Oberon . Doe you amend it then : it lyes in you . Why should Titania crosse her Oberon ? I doe but begge a little Changeling boy , To be my Henchman . Queene . Set your heart at rest . The Faiery Land buies not the childe of mee ▪ His mother was a Votresse of my order : And in the spiced Indian ayer , by night , Full often hath she gossipt , by my side , And sat , with me on Neptunes yellow sands Marking th' embarked traders on the flood : When we haue laught to see the sailes conceaue , And grow bigge bellied , with the wanton winde : Which she , with prettie , and with swimming gate , Following ( her wombe then rich with my young squire ) Would imitate , and saile vpon the land , To fetch me trifles , and returne againe , As from a voyage , rich with marchandise . But she , being mortall , of that boy did dye , And , for her sake , doe I reare vp her boy : And , for her sake , I will not part with him . Ob. How long , within this wood , entend you stay ? Quee. Perchaunce , till after Theseus wedding day . If you will patiently daunce in our Round , And see our Moonelight Reuelles , goe with vs : If not , shunne me , and I will spare your haunts . Ob. Giue mee that boy , and I will goe with thee . Quee. Not for thy Fairy kingdome . Fairies away . We shall chide downeright , if I longer stay . Exeunt . Ob. Well : goe thy way . Thou shalt not from this groue , Till I torment thee , for this iniury . My gentle Pucke come hither : thou remembrest , Since once I sat vpon a promontory , And heard a Meare maide , on a Dolphins backe , Vttering such dulcet and hermonious breath , That the rude sea grewe ciuill at her song , And cettaine starres shot madly from their Spheares , To heare the Sea-maids musicke . Puck . I remember . Ob. That very time , I saw ( but thou could'st not ) Flying betweene the colde Moone and the earth , Cupid , all arm'd : a certaine aime he tooke At a faire Vestall , throned by west , And loos'd his loue-shaft smartly , from his bowe , As it should pearce a hundred thousand hearts : But , I might see young Cupids fiery shaft Quencht in the chast beames of the watry Moone : And the imperiall Votresse passed on , In maiden meditation , fancy free . Yet markt I , where the bolt of Cupid fell . It fell vpon a little westerne flower ; Before , milke white ; now purple , with loues wound , And maidens call it , Loue in idlenesse . Fetch mee that flowre : the herbe I shewed thee once . The iewce of it , on sleeping eyeliddes laide , Will make or man or woman madly dote , Vpon the next liue creature that it sees . Fetch mee this herbe , and be thou here againe Ere the Leuiathan can swimme a league . Pu. I le put a girdle , round about the earth , in forty minutes . Oberon . Hauing once this iuice , I l watch Titania , when she is a sleepe , And droppe the liquor of it , in her eyes : The next thing then she , waking , lookes vpon ( Be it on Lyon , Beare , or Wolfe , or Bull , On medling Monky , or on busie Ape ) She shall pursue it , with the soule of Loue . And ere I take this charme , from of her sight ( As I can take it with another herbe ) I le make her render vp her Page , to mee . But , who comes here ? I am inuisible , And I will ouerheare their conference . Enter Demetrius , Helena following him . Deme. I loue thee not : therefore pursue me not ▪ Where is Lysander , and faire Hermia ? The one I le stay : the other stayeth me . Thou toldst me , they were stolne vnto this wood : And here am I , and wodde , within this wood : Because I cannot meete my Hermia . Hence , get the gone , and follow mee no more . Hel. You draw mee , you hard hearted Adamant : But yet you draw not Iron . For my heart Is true as steele . Leaue you your power to draw , And I shall haue no power to follow you . Deme. Doe I entise you ? Doe I speake you faire ? Or rather doe I not in plainest truthe , Tell you I doe not , not I cannot loue you ? Hele. And euen , for that , do I loue you , the more : I am your Spaniell : and , Demetrius , The more you beat mee , I will fawne on you . Vse me but as your Spaniell : spurne me , strike mee , Neglect mee , loose me : onely giue me leaue ( Vnworthie as I am ) to follow you . What worser place can I begge , in your loue ( And yet , a place of high respect with mee ) Then to be vsed as you vse your dogge . Deme. Tempt not , too much , the hatred of my spirit . For I am sick , when I do looke on thee . Hele. And I am sick , when I looke not on you . Deme. You doe impeach your modestie too much , To leaue the citie , and commit your selfe , Into the hands of one that loues you not , To trust the opportunitie of night , And the ill counsell of a desert place , With the rich worth of your virginitie . Hel. Your vertue is my priuiledge : For that It is not night , when I doe see your face . Therefore , I thinke , I am not in the night , Nor doth this wood lacke worlds of company . For you , in my respect , are all the world . Then , how can it be saide , I am alone , When all the world is here , to looke on mee ? Dems . I le runne from thee , and hide me in the brakes , And leaue thee to the mercy of wilde beastes . Hel. The wildest hath not such a heart as you . Runne when you will : The story shall be chaung'd : Apollo flies and Daphne holds the chase : The Doue pursues the Griffon : the milde Hinde Makes speede to catch the Tigre . Bootelesse speede , When cowardise pursues , and valour flies . Demet. I will not stay thy questions . Let me goe : Or if thou followe mee , do not beleeue , But I shall doe thee mischiefe , in the wood . Hel. I , in the Temple , in the towne , the fielde , You doe me mischiefe . Fy Demetrius . Your wrongs doe set a scandall on my sex : We cannot fight for loue , as men may doe : We should be woo'd , and were not made to wooe . I le follow thee and make a heauen of hell , To dy vpon the hand I loue so well . Ob. Fare thee well Nymph . Ere he do leaue this groue , Thou shalt fly him , and he shall seeke thy loue . Hast thou the flower there ? Welcome wanderer . Enter Pucke . Puck . I , there it is . Ob. I pray thee giue it mee . I know a banke where the wilde time blowes , Where Oxlips , and the nodding Violet growes , Quite ouercanopi'd with lushious woodbine , With sweete muske roses , and with Eglantine : There sleepes Tytania , sometime of the night , Luld in these flowers , with daunces and delight : And there the snake throwes her enammeld skinne , Weed wide enough to wrappe a Fairy in . And , with the iuyce of this , I le streake her eyes , And make her full of hatefull phantasies . Take thou some of it , and seeke through this groue : A sweete Athenian Lady is in loue , With a disdainefull youth : annoint his eyes . But doe it , when the next thing he espies , May be the Ladie . Thou shalt know the man , By the Athenian garments he hath on . Effect it with some care ; that he may prooue More fond on her , then she vpon her loue : And looke thou meete me ere the first Cocke crowe . Pu. Feare not my Lord : your seruant shall do so . Exeunt . Enter Tytania Queene of Fairies , with her traine . Quee. Come , now a Roundell , and a Fairy song : Then , for the third part of a minute hence , Some to kill cankers in the musk rose buds , Some warre with Reremise , for their lethren wings , To make my small Elues coates , and some keepe backe The clamorous Owle , that nightly hootes and wonders At our queint spirits : Sing me now a sleepe : Then to your offices , and let mee rest . Fairies sing . You spotted Snakes , with double tongue , Thorny Hedge hogges be not seene , Newts and blinde wormes do no wrong , Come not neere our Fairy Queene . Philomele , with melody , Sing in our sweete Lullaby , Lulla , lulla , lullaby , lulla , lulla , lullaby , Neuer harme , nor spell , nor charme , Come our louely lady nigh . So good night , with lullaby . 1. Fai. Weauing Spiders come not heere ▪ Hence you long legd Spinners , hence : Beetles blacke approach not neere : Worme nor snaile doe no offence . Philomele with melody , &c. 2. Fai. Hence away : now all is well : One aloofe , stand Centinell . Enter Oberon . Ob. What thou seest , when thou doest wake , Doe it for thy true loue take : Loue and languish for his sake . Be it Ounce , or Catte , or Beare , Pard , or Boare with bristled haire , In thy eye that shall appeare , When thou wak'st , it is thy deare : Wake , when some vile thing is neere . Enter Lysander : and Hermia . Lys. Faire loue , you fainte , with wandring in the wood : And to speake troth I haue forgot our way . Wee le rest vs Hermia , if you thinke it good , And tatty for the comfor of the day . Her . Bet it so Lysander : finde you out a bedde : For I , vpon this banke , will rest my head . Lys. One turfe shall serue , as pillow , for vs both , One heart , one bedde , two bosomes , and one troth . Her . Nay god Lysander : for my sake , my deere Ly further off , yet ; doe not lye so neere . Lys. O take the sense , sweete , of my innocence . Loue takes the meaning , in loues conference ▪ I mean that my heart vnto yours it knit ; So that but one heart wee can make of it : Two bosomes interchained with an oath : So then two bosomes , and a single troth . Then , by your side , no bed-roome me deny : For lying so , Hermia , I doe not lye . Her . Lysander riddles very prettily . Now much be shrewe my manners , and my pride , If Hermia meant to say , Lysander lyed . But gentle friend , for loue and curtesie , Ly further off , in humane modesty : Such separation , as may well be said Becomes a vertuous batcheler , and a maide , So farre be distant , and good night sweete friend : Thy loue nere alter till thy sweete life end . Lys. Amen , amen , to that faire prayer , say I , And then end life , when I end loyalty . Heere is my bed : sleepe giue thee all his rest . Her . With halfe that wish , the wishers eyes be prest . Enter Pucke . Puck . Through the forrest haue I gone : But Athenian found I none , On whose eyes I might approue This flowers force in stirring loue . Night and silence . Who is heere ? Weedes of Athens he doth weare : This is hee ( my master saide ) Despised the Athenian maide : And here the maiden , sleeping sound , On the danke and dirty ground . Pretty sowle , she durst not lye , Neere this lack-loue , this kil-curtesie . Churle , vpon thy eyes I throwe All the power this charme doth owe : When thou wak'st , let loue forbidde Sleepe , his seat , on thy eye lidde . So awake , when I am gon : For I must now to Oberon . Exit . Enter Demetrius and Helena running . Hel. Stay ; though thou kill mee , sweete Demetrius . De. I charge thee hence , and doe not haunt mee thus Hele. O , wilt thou darkling leaue me ? doe not so . De. Stay , on thy perill : I alone will goe . Hel. O , I am out of breath , in this fond chase , The more my prayer , the lesser is my grace . Happie is Hermia , wheresoere she lies : For she hath blessed , and attractiue eyes . How came her eyes so bright ? Not with salt teares , If so , my eyes are oftner washt then hers . No , no : I am as vgly as a Beare : For beastes that meete mee , runne away , for feare . Therefore , no maruaile , though Demetrius Doe , as a monster , fly my presence , thus . What wicked and dissembling glasse , of mine , Made me compare with Hermias sphery eyen ! But , who is here ? Lysander , on the ground ? Dead , or a sleepe ? I see no blood , no wound , Lysander , if you liue , good sir awake . Lys. And runne through fire , I will for thy sweete sake . Transparent Helena , nature shewes arte , That through thy bosome , makes me see thy heart . Where is Demetrius ? Oh how fit a word Is that vile name , to perish on my sworde ! Hel. Do not say so , Lysander , say not so . What though he loue your Hermia ? Lord , what though ? Yet Hermia still loues you : then be content . Lys. Content with Hermia ? No : I doe repent The tedious minutes , I with her haue spent . Not Hermia , but Helena I loue . Who will not change a Rauen for a doue ? The will of man is by his reason swai'd : And reason saies you are the worthier maide . Things growing are not ripe , vntill their season : So I , being young , till now ripe not to reason . And touching now , the point of humane skill , Reason becomes the Marshall to my will , And leads mee to your eyes ; where I orelooke Loues stories , written in loues richest booke . Hel. Wherefore was I to this keene mockery borne ? When , at your hands , did I deserue this scorne ? I st not enough , is t not enough , young man , That I did neuer , no nor neuer can , Deserue a sweete looke from Demetrius eye , But you must flout my insufficiency ? Good troth you doe mee wrong ( good sooth you doe ) In such disdainfull manner , mee to wooe . But , fare you well : perforce , I must confesse , I thought you Lord of more true gentlenesse . O , that a Ladie , of one man refus'd , Should , of another , therefore be abus'd ! Exit . Lys. She sees not Hermia . Hermia , sleepe thou there , And neuer maist thou come Lysander neere . For , as a surfet of the sweetest things The deepest loathing , to the stomacke bringes : Or , as the heresies , that men doe leaue , Are hated most of those they did deceiue : So thou , my surfet , and my heresie , Of all bee hated ; but the most , of mee : And all my powers addresse your loue and might , To honour Helen , and to be her knight . Exit . Her . Helpe mee Lysander , helpe mee : do thy best To pluck this crawling serpent , from my brest , Ay mee , for pittie . What a dreame was here ? Lysander looke , how I doe quake with feare . Me thought , a serpent eate my heart away , And you sate smiling at his cruell pray . Lysander what , remou'd ? Lysander , Lord , What , out of hearing , gon ? No sound , no word ? Alacke where are you ? Speake , and if you heare : Speake , of all loues . I swoune almost with feare . No , then I well perceiue , you are not ny : Either death , or you , I le finde immediately . Exit . Enter the Clownes . Bott .

Are wee all met ?

Quin.

Pat , pat: and here s a maruailes conuenient place , for our rehearsall . This greene plot shall be our stage , this hauthorne brake our tyring house , and wee will doe it in action , as wee will doe it before the Duke .

Bott .

Peeter Quince ?

Quin.

What saiest thou , bully , Bottom ?

Bot.

There are things in this Comedy , of Pyramus and Thisby , that will neuer please . First , Pyramus must draw a sworde , to kill himselfe ; which the Ladies cannot abide . How answere you that ?

Snout .

Berlakin , a parlous feare .

Star .

I beleeue , we must leaue the killing , out , when all is done .

Bott .

Not a whit : I haue a deuise to make all well . Write me a Prologue , and let the Prologue seeme to say ; we wil do no harme , with our swords , and that Pyramus is not kild indeede : and for the more better assurance , tel them , that I Pyramus am not Pyramus , but Bottom the weauer : this will put them out of feare .

Quin.

Well : wee will haue such a Prologue , and it shall be written in eight and six .

Bot.

No : make it two more : let it be written in eight & eight .

Snout .

Will not the ladies be afeard of the Lyon ?

Star .

I feare it , I promise you .

Bot.

Masters , you ought to consider with your selfe , to bring in ( God shielde vs ) a Lyon among Ladies , is a most dreadfull thing . For there is not a more fearefull wilde foule then your Lyon liuing : & we ought to looke too te .

Sno.

Therfore , another Prologue must tel , he is not a Lion .

Bot.

Nay : you must name his name , and halfe his face must be seene through the Lions necke , and he himselfe must speake through , saying thus , or to the same defect ; Ladies , or faire Ladies , I would wish you , or I would request you , or I wold intreat you , not to feare , not to tremble : my life for yours . If you thinke I come hither as a Lyon , it were pittie of my life . No : I am no such thing : I am a man as other men are : & there indeed , let him name his name , and tell them plainely he is Snugge , the Ioyner .

Quin.

Well : it shall be so : but there is two hard things ; that is , to bring the Moone-light into a chamber : for you know , Pyramus and Thisby meete by Moone-light .

Sn.

Doth the Moone shine , that night , we play our Play ?

Bo.

A Calender , a Calender : looke in the Almanack : finde out Moone-shine , finde out Moone-shine .

Quin.

Yes : it doth shine that night .

Cet .

Why then , may you leaue a casement of the great chamber window ( where we play ) open ; and the Moone may shine in at the casement .

Quin.

I : or els , one must come in , with a bush of thorns , & a lantern , and say he comes to disfigure , or to present the person of Moone-shine . Then , there is another thing ; we must haue a wal in the great chamber : for Pyramus & Thisby ( saies the story ) did talke through the chinke of a wall .

Sno.

You can neuer bring in a wal . What say you Bottom ?

Bot.

Some man or other must present wall : and let him haue some plaster , or som lome , or some rough cast , about him , to signifie wall ; or let him holde his fingers thus : and through that crany , shall Pyramus and Thisby whisper .

Quin.

If that may be , then all is well . Come , sit downe euery mothers sonne , and reherse your parts . Pyramus , you beginne : when you haue spoken your speech , enter into that Brake , and so euery one according to his cue .

Enter Robin . Ro. What hempen homespunnes haue we swagging here , So neere the Cradle of the Fairy Queene ? What , a play toward ? I le be an Auditor , An Actor to perhappes , If I see cause . Quin. Speake Pyramus : Thysby stand forth . Pyra . Thisby the flowers of odious sauours sweete . Quin. Odours , odorous . Py. Odours sauours sweete . So hath thy breath , my dearest Thisby deare . But harke , a voice : stay thou but heere a while , And by and by I will to thee appeare . Exit . Quin. A stranger Pyramus , then ere played heere . Thys . Must I speake now ? Quin. I marry must you . For you must vnderstand , he goes but to see a noyse , that he heard , and is to come againe . Thys . Most radiant Pyramus , most lillie white of hewe , Of colour like the redrose , on triumphant bryer , Most brisky Iuuenall , and eeke most louely Iewe , As true as truest horse , that yet would neuer tyre , I le meete thee Pyramus , at Ninnies toumbe . Quin. Ninus toumbe , man . Why ? you must not speake That yet . That you answere to Pyramus . You speake Al your part at once , cues , and , all . Pyramus , enter : your cue is past : It is ; neuer tire . Thys . O , as true as truest horse , that yet would neuer tyre . Py. If I were faire , Thysby , I were onely thine . Quin. O monstrous ! O strange ! We are haunted . Pray masters : fly masters : helpe . Rob. I le follow you : I le leade you about a Round , Through bogge , through bush , through brake , through bryer : Sometime a horse I le be , sometime a hound , A hogge , a headelesse Beare , sometime a fier , And neigh , and barke , and grunt , and rore , and burne , Like horse , hound , hogge , beare , fire , at euery turne . Exit . Bott . Why doe they runne away ? This is a knauery of them to make mee afeard . Enter Snowte . Sn. O Bottom , thou art chaung'd . What do I see on thee ? Bot. What doe you see ? You see an Asse head of your owne . Do you ? Enter Quince . Quin. Blesse thee Bottom , blesse thee . Thou art translated . Exit . Bot. I see their knauery . This is to make an asse of mee , to fright me , if they could : but I wil not stirre from this place , do what they can . I will walke vp and downe heere , and I will sing , that they shall heare I am not afraide . The Woosell cock , so blacke of hewe , With Orange tawny bill , The Throstle , with his note so true , The Wren , with little quill . Tytania . What Angell wakes me from my flowry bed ? Bot. The Fynch , the Sparrowe , and the Larke , The plainsong Cuckow gray : Whose note , full many a man doth marke , And dares not answere , nay . For indeede , who would set his wit to so foolish a birde ? Who would giue a bird the ly , though hee cry Cuckow , neuer so ? Tita. I pray thee , gentle mortall , sing againe . Myne eare is much enamoured of thy note : So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape , And thy faire vertues force ( perforce ) doth mooue mee , On the first viewe to say , to sweare , I loue thee . Bott .

Mee thinks mistresse , you should haue little reason for that . And yet , to say the truth , reason and loue keepe little company together , now a daies . The more the pitty , that some honest neighbours will not make them friends . Nay I can gleeke , vpon occasion .

Tyta.

Thou art as wise , as thou art beautifull .

Bott .

Not so neither : but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood , I haue enough to serue mine owe turne .

Tyta. Out of this wood , doe not desire to goe : Thou shalt remaine here , whether thou wilt or no. I am a spirit , of no common rate : The Sommer , still , doth tend vpon my state , And I doe loue thee : therefore goe with mee . I le giue thee Fairies to attend on thee : And they shall fetch thee Iewels , from the deepe , And sing , while thou , on pressed flowers , dost sleepe : And I will purge thy mortall grossenesse so , That thou shalt , like an ayery spirit , goe . Pease-blossome , Cobweb , Moth , and Mustard-seede ? Enter foure Fairyes . Fairies . Readie : and I , and I , and I. Where shall we goe ? Tita. Be kinde and curteous to this gentleman , Hop in his walkes , and gambole in his eyes , Feede him with Apricocks , and Dewberries , With purple Grapes , greene figges , and Mulberries , The hony bagges steale from the humble Bees , And for night tapers , croppe their waxen thighes , And light them at the fiery Glowe-wormes eyes , To haue my loue to bedde , and to arise , And pluck the wings , from painted Butterflies , To fanne the Moone-beames from his sleeping eyes , Nod to him Elues , and doe him curtesies . 1. Fai. Haile mortall , haile . 2. Fai. Haile . 3. Fai. Haile . Bot.

I cry your worships mercy , hartily : I beseech your worshippes name .

Cob.

Cobwebbe .

Bot.

I shall desire you of more acquaintance , good master Cobweb : if I cut my finger , I shall make bolde with you . Your name honest gentleman ?

Pea.

Pease-blossome .

Bot.

I pray you commend mee to mistresse Squash , your mother , and to master Peascod , your father . Good master Pease-blossome , I shall desire you of more acquaintance , to . Your name I beseech you sir ?

Must.

Mustardseede .

Bot.

Good master Mustardseede , I know your patience woll . That same cowardly , gyantlike , Ox-beefe hath deuourd many a gentleman of your house . I promise you , your kindred hath made my eyes water , ere now . I desire you more acquaintance , good master Mustardseede .

Tita. Come waite vpon him : leade him to my bower . The Moone , me thinkes , lookes with a watry eye : And when shee weepes , weepes euery little flower , Lamenting some enforced chastitie . Ty vp my louers tongue , bring him silently . Exit . Enter King of Fairies , and Robin goodfellow . Ob. I wonder if Titania be awak't ; Then what it was , that next came in her eye , Which she must dote on , in extreamitie . Here comes my messenger . How now , mad spirit ? What night rule now about this haunted groue ? Puck . My mistresse with a monster is in loue , Neere to her close and consecrated bower . While she was in her dull , and sleeping hower , A crew of patches , rude Mechanicals , That worke for bread , vpon Athenian stalles , Were met together to rehearse a play , Intended for great Theseus nuptiall day : The shallowest thickskinne , of that barraine sort , Who Pyramus presented , in their sport , Forsooke his Scene , and entred in a brake , When I did him at this aduantage take : An Asses nole I fixed on his head . Anon his Thisbie must be answered , And forth my Minnick comes . When they him spy ; As wilde geese , that the creeping Fouler eye , Or russet pated choughes , many in sort ( Rysing , and cawing , at the gunnes report ) Seuer themselues , and madly sweepe the sky : So , at his sight , away his fellowes fly , And at our stampe , here ore and ore , one falles : He murther cryes , and helpe from Athens cals . Their sense , thus weake , lost with their feares , thus strong , Made senselesse things begin to doe them wrong . For , briers and thornes , at their apparell , snatch : Some sleeues , some hats ; from yeelders , all things catch ▪ I led them on , in this distracted feare , And left sweete Pyramus translated there : When in that moment ( so it came to passe ) Tytania wak't , and straight way lou'd an Asse . Ob. This falles out better , then I could deuise . But hast thou yet latcht the Athenians eyes , With the loue iuice , as I did bid thee doe ? Rob. I tooke him sleeping ( that is finisht to ) And the Athenian woman , by his side ; That when he wak't , of force she must be ey'd . Enter Demetrius and Hermia . Ob. Stand close : this is the same Athenian . Rob. This is the woman : but not this the man . Demet. 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 cause to curse . If thou hast staine Lysander , in his sleepe ; Being ore shooes in blood , plunge in the deepe , & kill mee to . The Sunne was not so true vnto the day , As hee to mee . Would hee haue stollen away , Frow sleeping Hermia ? I le beleeue , as soone , This whole earth may be bor'd , and that the Moone May through the Center creepe , and so displease Her brothers noonetide , with th' Antipodes . It cannot be , but thou hast murdred him . So should a murtherer looke ; so dead , so grimme . Dem. So should the murthered looke , and so should I , Pearst through the heart , with your sterne cruelty . Yet you , the murtherer , looke as bright , as cleere , As yonder Venus , in her glimmering spheare . Her . What s this to my Lysander ? Where is hee ? Ah good Demetrius , wilt thou giue him mee ? Deme. I had rather giue his carcasse to my hounds . Her . Out dog , out curre : thou driu'st me past the bounds Of maidens patience . Hast thou slaine him then ? Henceforth be neuer numbred among men . O , once tell true : tell true , euen for my sake : Durst thou haue lookt vpon him , being awake ? And hast thou kild him , sleeping ? O braue tutch ! Could not a worme , an Adder do so much ? An Adder did it : For with doubler tongue Then thyne ( thou serpent ) neuer Adder stung . Deme. You spende your passion , on a mispris'd mood : I am not guilty of Lysanders bloode : Nor is he deade , for ought that I can tell . Her . I pray thee , tell mee then , that he is well . De. And if I could , what should I get therefore ? Her . A priuiledge , neuer to see mee more : And from thy hated presence part I : see me no more ; Whether he be dead or no. Exit . Deme. There is no following her in this fierce vaine . Heere therefore , for a while , I will remaine . So sorrowes heauinesse doth heauier growe . For debt that bankrout flippe doth sorrow owe : Which now in some slight measure it will pay ; If for his tender here I make some stay . Ly doune . Ob. What hast thou done ? Thou hast mistaken quite , And laid the loue iuice on some true loues sight . Of thy misprision , must perforce ensue Some true loue turnd , and not a false turnd true . Robi . Then fate orerules , 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 sicke she is and pale of cheere , With sighes of loue , that costs the fresh blood deare . By some illusion see thou bring her here : I le charme his eyes , against she doe appeare . Robin . I goe , I goe , looke how I goe . Swifter then arrow , from the Tartars bowe . Ob. Flower of this purple dy , Hit with Cupids archery , Sinke in apple of his eye , When his loue he doth espy , Let her shine as gloriously As the Venus of the sky . When thou wak'st , if she be by , Begge of her , for remedy . Enter Puck . Puck . Captaine of our Fairy band , Helena is heere at hande , And the youth , mistooke by mee , Pleading for a louers fee . Shall wee their fond pageant see ? Lord , what fooles these mortals bee ! Ob. Stand aside . The noyse , they make , Will cause Demetrius to awake ▪ Pu. Then will two , at once , wooe one : That must needes be sport alone . And those things do best please mee , That befall prepost'rously . Enter Lysander , and Helena . Lys. Why should you think , that I should wooe in scorne ? Scorne , and derision , neuer come in teares . Looke when I vow , I weepe : and vowes so borne , In their natiuitie all truth appeares ▪ How can these things , in mee , seeme scorne to you ? Bearing the badge of faith to prooue them true ▪ Hel. You doe aduance your cunning , more , and more , When trueth killes truth , ô diuelish holy fray ! These vowes are Hermias . Will you giue her ore ? Weigh oath , with oath , and you will nothing waigh . Your vowes to her , and mee ( put in two scales ) Will euen weigh ; and both as light as tales . 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 . Deme. O Helen , goddesse , nymph , perfect diuine , To what , my loue , shall I compare thine eyne ! Christall is muddy . O , how ripe , in showe , Thy lippes , those kissing cherries , tempting growe ! That pure coniealed white , high Taurus snow , Fand with the Easterne winde , turnes to a crowe , When thou holdst vp thy hand . O , let me kisse This Princesse of pure white , this seale of blisse ▪ Hel. O spight ! O hell ! I see , you all are bent To set against mee , for your merriment ▪ If you were ciuill , and knew curtesie , You would not doe mee thus much iniury . Can you not hate mee , as I know you doe , But you must ioyne , in soules , to mocke mee to ? If you were men , as men you are in showe , You would not vse a gentle Lady so ; To vowe , and sweare , and super praise my parts , When I am sure , you hate mee with your hearts . You both are Riuals , and loue Hermia : And now both Riualles , to mock Helena . A trim exploit , a manly enterprise , To coniure teares vp , in a poore maides eyes , With your derision None , of noble sort , Would so offend a virgine , and extort A poore soules patience , all to make you sport . Lysand , You are vnkinde , Demetrius : : be not so . For you loue Hermia : this you know I know . And heare , with all good will , with all my heart , In Hermias loue I yeelde you vp my part : And yours of Helena , to mee bequeath : Whom I doe loue , and will do till my death . Hel. Neuer did mockers waste more idle breath . Deme. Lysander , keepe thy Hermia : I will none . If ere I lou'd her , all that loue is gone . My heart to her , but as guestwise , soiournd : And now to Helen , is it home returnd , There to remaine . Lys. Helen , it is not so . Deme. Disparage not the faith , thou dost not know ; Least to thy perill , thou aby it deare . Looke where thy loue comes : yonder is thy deare . Enter Hermia . Her . Darke night , that from the eye , his function takes , The eare more quicke of apprehension makes . Wherein it doth impaire the seeing sense , It payes the hearing double recompence . Thou art not , by myne eye , Lysander , found : Mine eare , I thanke it , brought me to thy sound . But why , vnkindly , didst thou leaue mee so ? Lys. Why should he 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 yon fiery oes , and eyes of light . Why seek'st thou me ? Could not this make thee know , The hate I bare thee , made mee leaue thee so ? Her . You speake not as you thinke : It cannot bee . Hel. Lo: she is one of this confederacy . Now I perceiue , they haue conioynd all three , To fashion this false sport , in spight of mee . Iniurious Hermia , most vngratefull maide , Haue you conspir'd , haue you with these contriu'd To baite mee , with this foule derision ? Is all the counsell that we two haue shar'd , The sisters vowes , the howers that we haue spent , When we haue chid the hastie footed time , For parting vs ; O , is all forgot ? All schooldaies friendshippe , childhood innocence ? Wee , Hermia , like two artificiall gods , Haue with our needles , created both one flower , Both on one sampler , sitting on one cushion , Both warbling of one song , both in one key ; As if our hands , our sides , voyces , and mindes Had bin incorporate . So wee grewe together , Like to a double cherry , seeming parted ; But yet an vnion in partition , Two louely berries moulded on one stemme : So with two seeming bodies , but one heart , Two of the first life coats in heraldry , Due but to one , and crowned with one creast . And will you rent our auncient loue asunder , To ioyne with men , in scorning your poore friend ? It is not friendly , t is not maidenly . Our sex , as well as I , may chide you for it ; Though I alone doe fele the iniury . Her . I am amazed at your words : I scorne you not . It seemes that you scorne mee , Hel. Haue you not set Lysander , as in scorne , To follow mee , and praise my eyes and face ? And made your other loue , Demetrius ( Who euen but now did spurne mee with his foote ) To call mee goddesse , nymph , diuine , and rare , Pretious celestiall ? Wherefore speakes he this , To her he hates ? And wherfore doth Lysander Deny your loue ( so rich within his soule ) And tender mee ( forsooth ) affection , But by your setting on , by your consent ? What , though I be not so in grace as you , So hung vpon with loue , so fortunate ? ( But miserable most , to loue vnlou'd ) This you should pittie , rather then despise . Her . I vnderstand not , what you meane by this ▪ Hel. I doe . Perseuer , counterfait sad lookes : Make mouthes vpon mee , when I turne my back : Winke each at other , holde the sweeete ieast vp ▪ This sport well carried , shall bee chronicled . If you haue any pitty , grace , or manners , You would not make mee such an argument . But fare ye well : t is partly my owne fault : Which death , or absence soone shall remedy . Lys. Stay , gentle Helena : heare my excuse , My loue , my life , my soule , faire Helena . Hel. O excellent ! Herm. Sweete , doe not scorne her so . Dem. If she cannot entreat , I can compell . Lys. Thou canst compell no more , then she intreat . Thy threats haue no more strength then her weake praise . Helen , I loue thee , by my life I doe : I sweare by that which I will loose for thee ; To prooue him false , that saies I loue thee not . Dem. I say , I loue thee more then he can do . Lys. If thou say so , withdrawe , and prooue it to . Dem. Quick come . Her . Lysander , whereto tends all this ? Lys. Away , you Ethiop . Dem. No , no : hee le Seeme to breake loose : take on as you would follow ; But yet come not . You are a tame man , go . Lys. Hang of thou cat , thou bur : vile thing let loose ; Or I will shake thee from mee , like a serpent . Her . Why are you growne so rude ? What change is this , Sweete loue ? Lys. Thy loue ? Out tawny Tartar , out : Out loathed medcine : ô hated potion hence . Her . Doe you not ieast ? Hel. Yes sooth : and so doe 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 . I le not trust your word . Lys. What ? should I hurt her , strike her , kill her dead ? Although I hate her , I le not harme her so . Her . What ? Can you do me greater harme , then hate ? Hate mee , wherefore ? O me , what newes , my loue ? Am not I Hermia ? Are not you Lysander ? I am as faire now , as I was ere while . Since night , you lou'd mee ; yet since night , you left mee , Why then , you left mee ( ô the gods forbid ) In earnest , shall I say ? Lys. I , by my life : And neuer did desire to see thee more . Thefore be out of hope , of question , of doubt : Be certaine : nothing truer : t is no ieast , That I doe hate thee , and loue Helena . Her . O mee , you iuggler , you canker blossome , You theefe of loue : what , haue you come by night , And stolne my loues heart , from him ? Hel. Fine , I faith . Haue you no modesty , no maiden shame , No touch of bashfulnesse ? What , will you teare Impatient answeres , from my gentle tongue ? Fy , fy , you counterfait , you puppet , you . Her . Puppet ? Why so ? I , that way goes the game , Now I perceiue that she hath made compare , Betweene our statures , she hath vrg'd her height , And with her personage , her tall personage , Her height ( forsooth ) she hath preuaild with him . And are you growne so high in his esteeme , Because I am so dwarfish and so lowe ? How lowe am I , thou painted May-pole ? Speake : How lowe am I ? I am not yet so lowe , But that my nailes can reach vnto thine eyes . Hel. I pray you , though you mocke me , gentleman , Let her not hurt me , I was neuer curst : I haue no gift at all in shrewishnesse : I am a right maid , for my cowardize : Let her not strike mee . You perhaps , may thinke , Because she is something lower then my selfe , That I can match her . Her . Lower ? harke againe . Hel. Good Hermia , do not be so bitter with mee , I euermore did loue you Hermia , Did euer keepe your counsels , neuer wrongd you ▪ Saue that in loue , vnto Demetrius , I tould him of your stealth vnto this wood . He followed you : for loue , I followed him . But he hath chid me hence , and threatned mee To strike mee , spurne mee ; nay to kill mee to . And now , so you will let me quiet goe , To Athens will I beare my folly backe , And follow you no further . Let me goe . You see how simple , and how fond I am . Herm. Why ? get you gon . Who is t that hinders you ? Hel. A foolish heart , that I leaue here behind . Her . What , with Lysander ? Hel. With Demetrius . Lys. Be not afraid : she shall not harme thee Helena ▪ Deme. No sir : she shall not , though you take her part . Hel. O , when she is angry , she is keene and shrewd . She was a vixen , when she went to schoole : And though she be but little , she is fierce . Her . Little againe ? Nothing hut low and little ? Why will you suffer her to floute me thus ? Let me come to her . Lys. Get you gon , you dwarfe ; You minimus , of hindring knot grasse , made ; You bead , you acorne . Deme . You are too officious , In her behalfe , that scornes your seruices . Let her alone : speake not of Helena , Take not her part . For if thou dost intend Neuer so little shewe of loue to her , Thou shalt aby it . Lys. Now she holdes me not : Now follow , if thou dat'st , to try whose right , Of thine or mine , is most in Helena . Deme. Follow ? Nay : I le go with thee , cheeke by iowle , Her . You , mistresse , all this coyle is long of you . Nay : goe not backe . Hel. I will not trust you , I , Nor longer stay in your curst company . Your hands , than mine , are quicker for a fray : My legges are longer though , to runne away . Her . I am amaz'd , and know not what to say . Exeunt . Ob. This is thy negligence : still thou mistak'st , Or else commitst thy knaueries wilfully . Puck . Beleeue mee , king of shadowes , I mistooke . Did not you tell mee , I should know the man , By the Athenian garments , he had on ? And , so farre blamelesse prooues my enterprise , That I haue nointed an Athenians eyes : And so farre am I glad , it so did sort , As this their iangling I esteeme a sport . Ob. Thou seest , these louers seeke a place to fight : Hy therefore Robin , ouercast the night , The starry welkin couer thou anon , With drooping fogge as blacke as Acheron , And lead these teasty Riuals so astray , As one come not within anothers way . Like to Lysander , sometime frame thy tongue : Then stirre Demetrius vp , with bitter wrong : And sometime raile thou like Demetrius : And from each other , looke thou lead them thus ; Till ore their browes , death-counterfaiting , sleepe , With leaden legs , and Batty wings doth creepe ▪ Then crush this hearbe into Lysanders eye ; Whose liquor hath this vertuous property , To take from thence all errour , with his might , And make his eyebals roule with wonted sight . When they next wake , all this derision Shall seeme a dreame , and fruitelesse vision . And backe to Athens shall the louers wend , With league , whose date , till death shall neuer end . Whiles I , in this affaire , doe thee imploy , I le to my Queene and beg her Indian boy : And then I will her charmed eye release From monsters viewe , and all things shall be peace . Puck . My Faiery Lord , this must be done with haste . For nights swift Dragons cut the clouds full fast , And yonder shines Auroras harbinger : At whose approach , Ghosts , wandring here and there , Troope home to Churchyards : damned spirits all , That in crosse waies and floods haue buriall , Already to their wormy beds are gone : For feare least day should looke their shames vpon , They wilfully themselues exile from light , And must for aye consort with black browed night . Ober. But we are spirits of another sort . I , with the mornings loue , haue oft made sport , And like a forrester , the groues may tread Euen till the Easterne gate all fiery red , Opening on Neptune , with faire blessed beames , Turnes , into yellow golde , his salt greene streames . But notwithstanding , haste , make no delay : We may effect this businesse , yet ere day . Pu. Vp & down , vp & down , I will lead them vp & down : I am feard in field & town . Goblin , lead them vp & downe . Here comes one . Enter Lysander . Lys. Where art thou , proud Demetrius ? Speak thou now . Rob. Here villaine , drawne & ready . Where art thou ? Lys. I will be with thee straight . Rob. Follow me then to plainer ground . Enter Demetrius . Deme. Lysander , speake againe . Thou runaway , thou coward , art thou fled ? Speake in some bush . Where doest thou hide thy head ? Rob. Thou coward art thou bragging , to the starres , Telling the bushes that thou look'st for warres , And wilt not come ? Come recreant , come thou childe , I le whippe thee with a rodde . He is defil'd , That drawes a sword on thee . De. Yea , art thou there ? Ro. Follow my voice : wee le try no manhood here . Exeunt . Lys. He goes before me , and still dares me on : When I come where he calles , then he is gon . The villaine is much lighter heel'd then I ; I followed fast : but faster he did fly ; That fallen am I in darke vneauen way , And here will rest me . Come thou gentle day . For if but once , thou shewe me thy gray light , I le finde Demetrius , and reuenge this spight . Robin , and Demetrius . Robi . Ho , ho , ho : Coward , why comst thou not ▪ Deme. Abide me , if thou dar'st . For well I wot , Thou runst before mee , shifting euery place , And dar'st not stand , nor looke me in the face . Where art thou now ? Rob. Come hither : I am here . De. Nay then thou mockst me . Thou shat buy this dear , If euer I thy face by day light see . Now , goe thy way . Faintnesse constraineth mee , To measure , out my length , on this cold bed : By daies approach looke to be visited . Enter Helena . Hele. O weary night , O long and tedious night , Abate thy houres , shine comforts , from the east ; That I may backe to Athens , by day light , From these that my poore company detest : And sleepe , that sometimes shuts vp sorrowes eye , Steale mee a while from mine owne companie . Sleepe . Rob Yet but three ? Come one more . Two of both kindes makes vp fower . Heare shee comes , curst and ladde . Cupid is a knauish ladde , Thus to make poore females madde . Her . Neuer so weary , neuer so in woe , Be dabbled with the deaw , and torne with briers : I can no further crawle , no further goe : My legges can keepe no pase with my desires . Here will I rest mee , till the breake of day : Heauens shielde Lysander , if they meane a fray . Rob. On the ground , sleepe sound : I le apply your eye , gentle louer , remedy . When thou wak'st , thou tak'st True delight , in the sight , of thy former ladies eye : And the country pouerbe knowne , That euery man should take his owne , In your waking shall be showen . Iacke shall haue Iill : nought shall goe ill : The man shall haue his mare again , & all shall be well . Enter Queene of Faieries , and Clowne , and Faieries . and the king behinde them . Tita. Come sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed , While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy , And stick musk roses in thy sleeke smooth head , And kisse thy faire large eares , my gentle ioy . Clown . Where 's Pease-blossome ? Pea. Ready . Clow. Scratch my heade , Pease-blossome . Wher 's Mounsieur Cobweb ? Cob. Ready . Clo.

Mounsieur Cobweb , good Mounsieur , get you your weapons in your hand , and kill me a red hipt Humble Bee , on the toppe of a thistle : and good Mounsieur , bring mee the hony bagge . Doe not fret your selfe too much , in the action , Mounsieur : and good Mounsieur haue a care , the honybagge breake not , I wold be loath to haue you ouerflowen with a hombag signior . Where 's Mounsieur Mustardseede ?

Must.

Readie .

Clo.

Giue me your neafe , Mounsieur Mustardseede ▪ Pray you , leaue your curtsie , good Mounsieur .

Must.

what 's your will ?

Clo.

Nothing good Mounsieur , but to helpe Caualery Cobwebbe , to scratch ▪ I must to the Barbers , Mounsieur . For me thinkes I am maruailes hairy about the face . And I am such a tender Asse , if my haire doe but tickle mee , I must scratch .

Tita.

What , wilt thou heare some musique , my sweete loue ?

Clo.

I haue a reasonable good eare in musique . Let s haue the tongs , and the bones .

Tyta.

Or , say sweete loue , what thou desirest to eate .

Clo.

Truely a pecke of prouander . I could mounch your good dry Oates . Me thinkes , I haue a great desire to a bottle of hay . Good hay , sweete hay hath no fellow .

Ty.

I haue a venturous Fairy , that shall seeke the Squirils hoord , And fetch thee newe nuts .

Clo.

I had rather haue a handfull , or two of dryed pease ▪ But , I pray you ▪ let none of your people stirre me : I haue an exposition of sleepe come vpon mee .

Tyta. Sleepe thou , and I will winde thee in my armes . Faieries be gon , and be alwaies away . So doth the woodbine , the sweete Honisuckle , Gently entwist : the female luy so Enrings the barky fingers of the Elme . O how I loue thee ! how I dote on thee ! Enter Robin goodfellow . Ob. Welcome good Robin . Seest thou this sweete sight ? Her dotage now I doe beginne to pittie . For meeting her of late , behinde the wood , Seeking sweete fauours for this hatefull foole , I did vpbraid her , and fall out with her . For she his hairy temples then had rounded , With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers . And that same deawe which sometime on the buddes , Was wont to swell , like round and orient pearles ; Stood now within the pretty flouriets eyes , Like teares , that did their owne disgrace be waile . When I had , at my pleasure , taunted her , And she , in milde tearmes , begd my patience , I then did aske of her , her changeling childe : Which straight she gaue mee , and her Fairy sent To beare him , to my bower , in Fairie land . And now I haue the boy , I will vndoe This hatefull imperfection of her eyes . And , gentle Puck , take this transformed scalpe , From of the heade of this Athenian swaine ; That hee , awaking when the other do , May all to Athens backe againe repaire , And thinke no more of this nights accidents , But as the fearce vexation of a dreame . But first I will release the Fairy Queene . Be , as thou wast wont to bee : See , as thou wast wont to see . Dians budde , or Cupids flower , Hath such force , and blessed power . Now , my Titania , wake you , my sweete Queene . Tita. My Oberon , what visions haue I seene ! Me thought I was enamourd of an Asse . Ob. There lyes your loue . Tita. How came these things to passe ? O , how mine eyes doe loath his visage now ! Ob. Silence a while . Robin , take off this head : Titania , musicke call , and strike more dead Then common sleepe : of all these , fine the sense . Ti. Musick , howe musick : such as charmeth sleepe . Rob. Now , when thou wak'st , with thine own fools eyes peepe . Ob. Sound Musick : come , my queen , take hands with me , And rocke the ground whereon these sleepers be . Now , thou and I are new in amitie , And will to morrow midnight , solemnely Daunce , in Duke Theseus house triumphantly , And blesse it to all faire prosperitie . There shall the paires of faithfull louers be Wedded , with Theseus , all in iollitie . Rob. Fairy King , attend , and marke : I do heare the morning Larke . Ob. Then my Queene , in silence sad , Trippe we after nights shade : We , the Globe , can compasse soone , Swifter then the wandring Moone . Tita. Come my Lord , and in our flight , Tell me how it came this night , That I sleeping here was found , With these mortals on the ground . Exeunt . Enter Theseus and all his traine . Winde horne . The. Goe one of you , finde out the forrester : For now our obseruation is performde . And since we haue the vaward of the day , My loue shall heare the musicke of my hounds . Vncouple , in the westerne vallie , let them goe : Dispatch I say , and finde the forrester . Wee will , faire Queene , vp to the mountainestoppe , And marke the musicall confusion Of hounds and Echo in coniunction . Hip. I was with Hercules and Cadmus , once , When in a wood of Creete they bayed the Beare , With hounds of Sparta : neuer did I heare Such gallant chiding . For besides the groues , The skyes , the fountaines , euery region neare Seeme all one mutuall cry . I neuer heard So musicall a discord , such sweete thunder . Thes. My hounds are bred out of the Spartane kinde : So flew'd , so sanded : and their heads are hung With eares , that sweepe away the morning deawe , Crooke kneed , and deawlapt , like Thessalian Buls : Slowe in pursuit ; but matcht in mouth like bels , Each vnder each . A cry more tunable Was neuer hollowd to , nor cheerd with horne , In Creete , in Sparta , nor in Thessaly . Iudge when you heare . But soft . What nymphes are these ? Egeus . My Lord , this my daughter heere a sleepe , And this Lysander , this Demetrius is , This Helena , old Nedars Helena . I wonder of their being here together . The. No doubt , they rose vp earely , to obserue The right of May : and hearing our intent , Came heere , in grace of our solemnitie . But speake , Egeus , is not this the day , That Hermia should giue answer of her choyce ? Egeus . It is , my Lord . These . Goe , bid the huntsinen wake them with their hornes . Shoute within : they all start vp . Winde hornes . The. Good morrow , friends . Saint Valentine is past . Begin these wood birds but to couple , now ? Lys. Pardon , my Lord . The. I pray you all , stand vp . I know , you two are Riuall enemies . How comes this gentle concord in the worlde , That hatred is so farre from iealousie , To sleepe by hate , and feare no enmitie , Lys. My Lord , I shal reply amazedly , Halfe sleepe , halfe waking , But , as yet , I sweare , I cannot truely say how I came here . But as I thinke ( for truely would I speake ) And now I doe bethinke mee , so it is ; I came with Hermia , hither . Our intent Was to be gon from Athens : where we might Without the perill of the Athenian lawe , Ege . Enough , enough my Lord : you haue enough . I begge the law , the law , vpon his head : They would haue stolne away , they would , Demetrius , Thereby to haue defeated you and me : You of your wife , and mee , of my consent : Of my consent , that she should be your wife . Deme. My Lord , faire Helen told me of their stealth , Of this their purpose hither , to this wood , And I in fury hither followed them ; Faire Helena , in fancy following mee . But my good Lord , I wote not by what power ( But by some power it is ) my loue , To Hermia ( melted as the snowe ) Seemes to me now as the remembrance of an idle gaude , Which in my childehoode I did dote vpon : And all the faith , the vertue of my heart , The obiect and the pleasure of mine eye , Is onely Helena . To her , my Lord , Was I betrothed , ere I see Hermia : But , like a sicknesse , did I loath this foode . But , as in health , come to my naturall taste , Now I doe wish it , loue it , long for it , And will for euermore be true to it . The. Faire louers , you are fortunately met , Of this discourse , we more will here anon ▪ Egeus , I will ouerbeare your will : For in the Temple , by and by , with vs , These couples shall eternally be knit . And , for the morning now is somthing worne , Our purpos'd hunting shall be set aside . Away , with vs , to Athens . Three and three , Wee le holde a feast , in great solemnitie . Come Hyppolita . Deme . These things seeme small and vndistinguishable , Like farre off mountaines turned into clouds . Her . Me thinks I see these things , with parted eye , When euery thing seemes double . Hel. So mee thinkes : And I haue fonnd Demetrius , like a iewell , Mine owne , and not mine owne . Dem. Are you sure That we are awake ? It seemes to me , That yet we sleepe , we dreame . Do not you thinke , The Duke was here , and bid vs follow him ? Her . Yea , and my father . Hel. And Hyppolita . Lys. And he did bid vs follow to the Temple . Dem.

Why then , we are awake : let s follow him , and by the way let s recount our dreames .

Clo.

When my cue comes , call mee , and I will answere . My next is , most faire Pyramus . Hey ho. Peeter Quince ? Flute , the bellowes mender ? Snout the tinker ? Starueling ? Gods my life ! Stolne hence , and left mee a sleepe ? I haue had a most rare vision . I haue had a dreame , past the wit of man , to say ; what dreame it was . Man is but an Asse , if hee goe about expound this dreame . Me thought I was , there is no man can tell what . Me thought I was , and me thought I had . But man is but patcht a foole , If hee will offer to say , what mee thought I had . The eye of man hath not heard , the eare of man hath not seene , mans hand is not able to taste , his tongue to conceiue , nor his hearte to report , what my dreame was , I will get Peter Quince to write a Ballet of this dreame : it shall be call'd Bottoms Dreame ; because it hath no bottome : and I will sing it in the latter end of a Play , before the Duke . Peraduenture , to make it the more gratious , I shall sing it at her death .

Enter Quince , Flute , Thisby and the rabble . Quin.

Haue you sent to Bottoms house ? Is he come home , yet ?

Flut.

Hee cannot be heard of ▪ Out of doubt he is transported .

Thys .

If hee come not , then the Play is mard . It goes not forward . Doth it ?

Quin.

It is not possible . You haue not a man , in all Athens , able to discharge Pyramus , but he .

Thys .

No , hee hath simply the best wit of any handy-craft man in Athens .

Quin.

Yea , and the best person to , and hee is a very Paramour , for a sweete voice .

Thys .

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 Temple , and there is two or three Lords and Ladies more married . If our sport had gon forward , wee had all beene made men .

Thys .

O sweete bully Bottome . Thus hath hee lost six pence a day , during his life : hee coulde not haue scaped sixe pence a day . And the Duke had not giuen him six pence a day , for playing Pyramus , I le be hanged . He would haue deserued it . Six pence a day , in Pyramus , or nothing .

Enter Bottom . Bot.

Where are these lads ? Where are these harts ?

Quin ,

Bottom , ô most couragious day ! O most happy houre !

Bott .

Masters , I am to discourse wonders : but aske me not what . For if I tell you , I am not true Athenian . I will tell you euery thing right as it fell out .

Quin.

Let vs heare , sweete Bottom .

Bot.

Not a word of mee . All that I will tell you , is , that the Duke hath dined . Get your apparrell together , good strings to your beardes , new ribands to your pumpes , meete presently at the palace , euery man looke ore his part . For , the short and the long is , our play is preferd . In any case let Thisby haue cleane linnen : and let not him , that plaies the Lyon , pare his nailes : for they shall hang out for the Lyons clawes . And most deare Actors , eate no Onions , nor garlicke ▪ for we are to vtter sweete breath : and I do not doubt but to hear them say , it is a sweete Comedy . No more wordes ▪ Away , go away .

Enter Theseus , Hyppolita , and Philostrate . Hip. T is strange , my Theseus , that these louers speake of , The. More straunge then true . I neuer may beleeue These antique fables , nor these Fairy toyes . Louers , and mad men haue such seething braines , Such shaping phantasies , that apprehend more , Then coole reason euer comprehends . The lunatick , The louer , and the Poet are of imagination all compact . One sees more diuels , then vast hell can holde : That is the mad man . The louer , all as frantick , Sees Helens beauty in a brow of Aegypt . The Poets eye , in a fine frenzy , rolling , doth glance From heauen to earth , from earth to heauen . And as Imagination bodies forth the formes of things Vnknowne : the Poets penne turnes them to shapes , And giues to ayery nothing , a locall habitation , And a name . Such trickes hath strong imagination , That if it would but apprehend some ioy , It comprehends some bringer of that ioy . Or in the night , imagining some feare , How easie is a bush suppos'd a Beare ? Hyp. But , all the story of the night told ouer , And all their minds transfigur'd so together , More witnesseth than fancies images , And growes to something of great constancy : But howsouer , strange and admirable . Enter Louers ; Lysander , Demetrius , Hermia and Helena . The. Here come the louers , full of ioy and mirth . Ioy , gentle friends , ioy and fresh daies Of loue accompany your hearts . Lys. More then to vs , waite in your royall walkes , your boorde , your bedde . The. Come now : what maskes , what daunces shall wee haue , To weare away this long age of three hours , betweene Or after supper , & bed-time ? Where is our vsuall manager Of mirth ? What Reuels are in hand ? Is there no play , To ease the anguish of a torturing hower ? Call Philostrate . Philostrate . Here mighty Theseus . The. Say , what abridgement haue you for this euening ? What maske , what musicke ? How shall we be guile The lazy tyme , if not with some delight ? Philost . There is a briefe , how many sports are ripe . Make choyce , of which your Highnesse will see first . The. The battell with the Centaures to be sung , By an Athenian Eunuche , to the Harpe ? Wee le none of that , That haue I tolde my loue , in glory of my kinsman Hercules ▪ The ryot of the tipsie Bachanals , Tearing the Thracian singer , in their rage ? That is an olde deuise : and it was plaid , When I from Thebes came last a conquerer . The thrise three Muses , mourning for the death Of learning , late deceast , in beggery ? That is some Satire keene and criticall , Not sorting with a nuptiall ceremony . A tedious briefe Scene of young Pyramus And his loue Thisby ; very tragicall mirth ? Merry , and tragicall ? Tedious , and briefe ? That is hot Ise , And wondrous strange snow . How shall we find the concord Of this discord ? Philost . A Play there is , my Lord , some ten words long ; Which is as briefe , as I haue knowne a play : But , by ten words , my Lord it is too long : Which makes it tedious . For in all the Play , There is not one word apt , one player fitted . And tragicall , my noble Lord , it is . For Pyramus , Therein , doth kill himselfe . Which when I saw Rehearst , I must confesse , made mine eyes water : But more merry teares the passion of loud laughter Neuer shed . These . What are they , that doe play it ? Phil. Hard handed men , that worke in Athens here , Which neuer labour'd in their minds till now : And now haue toyled their vnbreathed memories , With this same Play , against your nuptiall . The. And wee will heare it . Phi. No , my noble Lord , it is not for you . I haue heard It ouer , and it is nothing , nothing in the world ; Vnlesse you can finde sport in their entents , Extreamely stretcht , and cond with cruell paine , To do you seruice . The. I will heare that play . For neuer any thing Can be amisse , when simplenesse and duety tender it . Goe bring them in , and take your places , Ladies . Hip. I loue not to see wretchednesse orecharged ; And duety , in his seruice , perishing . The. Why , gentle sweete , you shall see no such thing . Hip. He sayes , they can doe nothing in this kinde . The. The kinder we , to giue them thanks , for nothing . Our sport shall be , to take what they mistake . And what poore duty cannot doe , noble respect Takes it in might , not merit . Where I haue come , great Clerkes haue purposed To greete me , with premeditated welcomes ; Where I haue seene them shiuer and looke pale , Make periods in the midst of sentences , Throttle their practiz'd accent in their feares , And in conclusion dumbly haue broke off , Not paying mee a welcome . Trust me , sweete , Out of this silence , yet , I pickt a welcome : And in the modesty of fearefull duty , I read as much , as from the rattling tongue Of saucy and audacious eloquence . Loue , therefore , and tong-tide simplicity , In least , speake most , to my capacity . Philost . So please your Grace , the Prologue is addrest . Duk. Let him approach . Enter the Prologue . Pro. If wee offend , it is with our good will . That you should thinke , we come not to offend , But with good will . To shew our simple skill , That is the true beginning of our end . Consider then , we come but in despight . We doe not come , as minding to content you , Our true intent is . All for your delight , Wee are not here . That you should here repent you , The Actors are at hand : and , by their showe , You shall know all , that you are like to knowe ▪ The. This fellow doth not stand vpon points . Lys. He hath rid his Prologue , like a rough Colte : hee knowes not the stoppe . A good morall my Lord . It is not enough to speake ; but to speake true . Hyp. Indeed he hath plaid on this Prologue , like a child on a Recorder , a sound ; but not in gouernement . The. His speach was like a tangled Chaine ; nothing impaired , but all disordered . Who is next ? Enter Pyramus , and Thisby , and Wall , and Moone-shine , and Lyon . Prologue . Gentles , perchance you wonder at this show . But , wonder on , till truthe make all things plaine . This man is Pyramus , if you would knowe : This beautious Lady Thsby is certaine . This man , with lyme and roughcast , doth present Wall , that vile wall , which did these louers sunder : And through wals chinke , poore soules , they are content To whisper . At the which , let no man wonder . This man , with lanterne , dogge , and bush of thorne , Presenteth moone-shine . For if you will know , By moone-shine did these louers thinke no scorne To meete at Ninus tombe , there , there to wooe ▪ This grizly beast ( which Lyon hight by name ) The trusty Thysby , comming first by night , Did scarre away , or rather did affright : And as she fled , her mantle she did fall : Which Lyon vile with bloody mouth did staine . Anon comes Pyramus , sweete youth , and tall , And findes his trusty Thisbyes mantle slaine : Whereat , with blade , with bloody blamefull blade , He brauely broacht his boyling bloody breast . And Thisby , tarying in Mulberry shade , His dagger drewe , and dyed . For all the rest , Let Lyon , Moone-shine , Wall , and louers twaine , At large discourse , while here they doe remaine , The. I wonder , if the Lyon be to speake . Demet. No wonder , my Lord . One Lyon may , when many Asses doe . Exit Lyon , Thysby , and Mooneshine . Wall . In this same enterlude it doth befall , That I , one Flute ( by name ) present a wall : And such a wall , as I would haue you thinke That had in it a cranied hole or chinke : Through which the louers , Pyramus , and Thisby , Did whisper often , very secretly . This lome , this rough cast , and this stone doth showe , That I am that same wall : the truth is so . And this the cranie is , right and sinister , Through which the fearefull louers are to whisper . The. Would you desire lime and haire to speake better ? Deme. It is the wittiest partition , that euer I heard discourse , my Lord . The. Pyramus drawes neare the wall : silence . Py. O grim lookt night , o night , with hue so blacke , O night , which euer art ▪ when day is not : O night , O night , alacke , alacke , alacke , I feare my Thisbyes promise is forgot . And thou ô wall , ô sweete , ô louely wall , That standst betweene her fathers ground and mine , Thou wall , ô wall , O sweete and louely wall , Showe mee thy chinke , to blink through , with mine eyne ▪ Thankes curteous wall . Ioue shield thee well , for this . But what see I ? No Thisby doe I see . O wicked wall , through whome I see no blisse , Curst be thy stones , for thus deceiuing mee ▪ The. The wall mee thinkes , being sensible , should curse againe . Pyr. No , in truth Sir , he should not . Deceiuing mee is Thisbyes cue : she is to enter now , and I am to spy Her through the wall . You shall see it will fall Pat as I told you : yonder she comes . Enter Thisby . This. O wall , full often hast thou heard my mones , For parting my faire Pyramus , and mee . My cherry lips haue often kist thy stones ; Thy stones , with lime and hayire knit now againe . Pyra . I see a voice : now will I to the chinke , To spy and I can heare my Thisbyes face ▪ Thysby ? This. My loue thou art , my loue I thinke . Py. Thinke what thou wilt , I am thy louers Grace : And , like Limander , am I trusty still . This. And I , like Helen , till the fates me kill . Pyra . Not Shaefalus , to Procrus , was so true . This. As Shafalus to Procius , I to you . Pyr. O kisse mee , through the hole of this vilde wall . This. I kisse the walles hole ; not your lips at all . Pyr. Wilt thou , at Ninnies tombe , meete me straight way ? Thy. Tide life , tyde death , I come without delay . Wal. Thus haue I , Wall , my part discharged so ; And , being done , thus wall away doth goe . Duk. Now is the Moon vsed between the two neighbors . Deme. No remedy , my Lord , when wals are so wilfull , to heare without warning . Dutch. This is the silliest stuffe , that euer I heard . Duke . The best , in this kinde , are but shadowes : and the worst are no worse , if imagination amend them . Dutch. It must be your imagination , then ; & not theirs . Duke . If we imagine no worse of them , then they of themselues , they may passe for excellent men . Here come two noble beasts , in a man and a Lyon . Enter Lyon , and Moone-shine . Lyon . You Ladies , you ( whose gentle hearts do feare The smallest monstrous mouse , that creepes on floore ) May now , perchance , both quake and tremble here , When Lyon rough , in wildest rage , doth roare . Then know that I , as Snug the Ioyner am A Lyon fell , nor else no Lyons damme . For , if I should , as Lyon , come in strife , Into this place , 't were pitty on my life . Duk. A very gentle beast , and of a good conscience . Deme. The very best at a beast , my Lord , that ere I saw . Lys. This Lyon is a very fox , for his valour . Duk. True : and a goose for his discretion . De.

Not so my Lord . For his valour cannot carry his discretion : and the fox carries the goose .

Duk.

His discretion , I am sure , cannot carry his valour . For the goose carries not the fox . It is well : leaue it to his discretion , and let vs listen to the Moone .

Moone .

This lanthorne doth the horned moone present .

Deme.

He should haue worne the hornes , on his head .

Duk.

He is no crescent , and his hornes are inuisible , within the circumference .

Moone . This lanthorne doth the horned moone present , My selfe , the manith Moone , doe seeme to be . Duke .

This is the greatest errour of all the rest ; the man should be put into the lanthorne ▪ How is it else the manith Moone ?

Deme.

He dares not come there , for the candle . For , you see , it is already in snuffe .

Dutch.

I am a weary of this Moone . Would hee woulde change .

Duke .

It appeares , by his small light of discretion , that hee is in the wane : but yet in curtesie , in all reason , wee must stay the time .

Lysan.

Proceede , Moone .

Moon .

All that I haue to say , is to tell you , that the lanthorne is the Moone , I the manith Moone , this thorne bush my thorne bush , and this dogge my dogge .

Deme.

Why ? All these should be in the lanthorne : for all these are in the Moone . But silence : here comes Thisby .

Enter Thisby . Th.

This is ould Ninies tumbe . Where is my loue ? Lyon , Oh.

Dem.

Well roard , Lyon .

Duke .

Well runne , Thisby .

Dutchesse .

Well shone Moone . Truly , the Moone shines , with a good grace .

Duk.

Well mouz'd , Lyon .

Dem.

And then came Pyramus .

Lys.

And so the Lyon vanisht .

Enter Pyramus . Pyr. Sweete Moone , I thanke thee , for thy sunny beams . I thanke thee , Moone , for shining now so bright . For by thy gratious , golden , glittering beames , I trust to take of truest Thisby sight . But stay : ó spight ! but marke , poore knight , What dreadfull dole is here ? Eyes do you see ! How can it bee ! O dainty duck , o deare ! Thy mantle good , what , staind with blood ? Approach ye Furies fell , O fates come , come , cut thread and thrumme , Quaile , crush , conclude , and quell . Duke . This passion , & the death of a deare friend would goe neere to make a man looke sad . Dutch. Beshrewe my heart , but I pitty the man . Pyr. O , wherefore , Nature , didst thou Lyons frame ? Since Lyon vilde hath here deflour'd my deare . Which is , no , no : which was the fairest dame That liu'd , that lou'd , that lik't , that look't with cheere . Come teares , confound , out sword , and wound The pappe of Pyramus : I , that left pappe , where heart doth hoppe . Thus dy I , thus , thus , thus . Now am I dead , now am I fled , my soule is in the sky . Tongue loose thy light , Moone take thy flight , Now dy , dy , dy , dy , dy . Dem. No Die , but an ace for him . For he is but one . Lys.

Lesse then an ace , man . For he is dead , he is nothing .

Duke .

With the helpe of a Surgeon , he might yet recouer , and yet prooue an Asse .

Dut.

How chance Moone-shine is gone before ? Thisby comes backe , and findes her louer ▪

Duk.

Shee will finde him , by starre-light . Here shee comes , and her passion ends the Play .

Dut.

Me thinkes , she should not vse a long one , for such a Pyramus : I hope , she will be briefe .

Demet.

A moth will turne the ballance ; which Pyramus , which Thisby is the better : he for a man ; God warnd vs ▪ she , for a woman ; God blesse vs .

Lys.

She hath spied him already , with those sweete eyes .

Deme.

And thus she meanes , videlicet ;

This. A sleepe my loue ? What , dead my doue ? O Pyramus , arise , Speake , speake . Quite dumbe ? Dead , dead ? A tumbe Must couer thy sweete eyes . These lilly lippes , this cherry nose , These yellow cowslippe cheekes Are gon , are gon : louers make mone : His eyes were greene , as leekes , O sisters three , come , come , to mee , With hands as pale as milke , Lay them in gore , since you haue shore With sheeres , his threede of silke . Tongue , not a word : come trusty sword , Come blade , my breast imbrew : And farewell friends : thus Thysby ends : Adieu , adieu , adieu . Duke .

Moone-shine and Lyon are left to bury the dead .

Deme.

I , and Wall to .

Lyon .

No , I assure you , the wall is downe , that parted their fathers . Will it please you , to see the Epilogue , or to heare a Bergomaske daunce , between two of our company ?

Duke .

No Epilogue , I pray you . For your Play needs no excuse . Neuer excuse : For when the Players are all deade , there neede none to be blamed . Mary , if hee that writ it , had played Pyramus , and hangd himselfe in Thisbies garter , it would haue beene a fine Tragedy : and so it is truely , and very notably discharg'd . But come your Burgomaske : let your Epilogue alone .

The iron tongue of midnight hath tolde twelue . Louers to bed , t is almost Fairy time . I feare we shall outsleepe the comming morne , As much as wee this night haue ouerwatcht . This palpable grosse Play hath well beguil'd The heauie gate of night . Sweete friends , to bed . A fortnight holde we this solemnitie , In nightly Reuels , and new iollity . Exeunt . Enter Pucke . Puck . Now the hungry Lyons roares . And the wolfe beholds the Moone ; Whilst the heauie ploughman snores , All with weary taske foredoone . Now the wasted brands doe glowe , Whilst the scriech-owle , scrieching lowd , Puts the wretch , that lyes in woe , In remembrance of a shrowde . Now it is the time of night , That the graues , all gaping wide , Euery one lets forth his spright , In the Church way paths to glide . And wee Fairies , that doe runne , By the triple Hecates teame , From the presence of the Sunne , Following darkenesse like a dreame , Now are frollick : not a mouse Shall disturbe this hallowed house . I am sent , with broome , before , To sweepe the dust , behinde the dore . Enter King and Queene of Fairies , with all their traine . Ob. Through the house giue glimmering light , By the dead and drowsie fier , Euery Elfe and Fairy spright , Hop as light as birde from brier , And this dittie after mee , Sing , and daunce it trippingly . Tita. First rehearse your song by rote , To each word a warbling note . Hand in hand , with Fairy grace , Will we sing and blesse this place . Ob. Now , vntill the breake of day , Through this house , each Fairy stray . To the best bride bed will wee : Which by vs shall blessed be : And the issue , there create , Euer shall be fortunate : So shall all the couples three Euer true in louing be : And the blots of natures hand Shall not in their issue stand . Neuer mole , hare-lippe , nor scarre , Nor marke prodigious , such as are Despised in natiuitie , Shall vpon their children be . With this field deaw consecrate , Euery Fairy take his gate , And each seuerall chamber blesse , Through this palace , with sweete peace , Euer shall in safety rest , And the owner of it blest . Trippe away : make no stay : Meete me all , by breake of day . Exeunt . Robin . If we shadowes haue offended , Thinke but this ( and all is mended ) That you haue but slumbred here , While these visions did appeare . And this weake and idle theame , No more yielding but a dreame , Gentles , doe not reprehend . If you pardon , wee will mend , And , as I am an honest Puck , If we haue vnearned luck , Now to scape the Serpents tongue , We will make amends , ere long : Else , the Puck a lyer call . So , good night vnto you all . Giue me your hands , if we be friends : And Robin shall restore amends . FINIS .