| |
Enter PUCK. | |
| Puck. Now the hungry lion roars, | |
| And the wolf behowls the moon; | |
| Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, | |
| All with weary task fordone. | 5 |
| Now the wasted brands do glow, | |
| Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud, | |
| Puts the wretch that lies in woe | |
| In remembrance of a shroud. | |
| Now it is the time of night | 10 |
| That the graves, all gaping wide, | |
| Every one lets forth his sprite, | |
| In the church-way paths to glide: | |
| And we fairies, that do run | |
| By the triple Hecate’s team, | 15 |
| From the presence of the sun, | |
| Following darkness like a dream, | |
| Now are frolic; not a mouse | |
| Shall disturb this hallow’d house: | |
| I am sent with broom before, | 20 |
| To sweep the dust behind the door. | |
| |
Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with their Train | |
| Obe. Through the house give glimmering light | |
| By the dead and drowsy fire; | |
| Every elf and fairy sprite | 25 |
| Hop as light as bird from brier; | |
| And this ditty after me | |
| Sing and dance it trippingly. | |
| Tita. First, rehearse your song by rote, | |
| To each word a warbling note: | 30 |
| Hand in hand, with fairy grace, | |
| Will we sing, and bless this place. [Song and dance. | |
| Obe. Now, until the break of day, | |
| Through this house each fairy stray. | |
| To the best bride-bed will we, | 35 |
| Which by us shall blessed be; | |
| And the issue there create | |
| Ever shall be fortunate. | |
| So shall all the couples three | |
| Ever true in loving be; | 40 |
| And the blots of Nature’s hand | |
| Shall not in their issue stand: | |
| Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar, | |
| Nor mark prodigious, such as are | |
| Despised in nativity, | 45 |
| Shall upon their children be. | |
| With this field-dew consecrate, | |
| Every fairy take his gait, | |
| And each several chamber bless, | |
| Through this palace, with sweet peace; | 50 |
| Ever shall in safety rest, | |
| And the owner of it blest. | |
| Trip away; | |
| Make no stay; | |
| Meet me all by break of day. [Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and Train. | 55 |
| Puck. If we shadows have offended, | |
| Think but this, and all is mended, | |
| That you have but slumber’d here | |
| While these visions did appear. | |
| And this weak and idle theme, | 60 |
| No more yielding but a dream, | |
| Gentles, do not reprehend: | |
| If you pardon, we will mend. | |
| And, as I’m an honest Puck, | |
| If we have unearned luck | 65 |
| Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue, | |
| We will make amends ere long; | |
| Else the Puck a liar call: | |
| So, good night unto you all. | |
| Give me your hands, if we be friends, | 70 |
| And Robin shall restore amends. [Exit. | |
| |
