The Bodleian First Folio

A digital facsimile of the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, Bodleian Arch. G c.7.



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Reference: O1r - Comedies, p. 157

Left Column


A Midsommer nights Dreame. And the Country Prouerb knowne, That euery man should take his owne,
[1450]
In your waking shall be showne. Iacke shall haue Iill, nought shall goe ill, The man shall haue his Mare againe, and all shall bee well.
They sleepe all the Act.
Actus Quartus. [Act 4, Scene 1] Enter Queene of Fairies, and Clowne, and Fairies, and the King behinde them. Tita. Come, sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed, While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy,
[1455]
And sticke muske roses in thy sleeke smoothe head, And kisse thy faire large eares, my gentle ioy.
Clow.

Where's Pease blossome?

Peas.

Ready.

Clow.

Scratch my head, Pease‑blossome. Wher's Moun­

[1460]

sieuer Cobweb.

Cob.

Ready.

Clowne.

Mounsieur Cobweb, good Mounsier get your

weapons in your hand, & kill me a red hipt humble‑Bee,

on the top of a thistle; and good Mounsieur bring mee

[1465]

the hony bag. Doe not fret your selfe too much in the

action, Mounsieur; and good Mounsieur haue a care the

hony bag breake not, I would be loth to haue yo u ouer‑

flowne with a hony‑bag signiour. Where's Mounsieur

Mustardseed?

Mus.
[1470]

Ready.

Clo.

Giue me your neafe, Mounsieur Mustardseed.

Pray you leaue your courtesie good Mounsieur.

Mus.

What's your will?

Clo.

Nothing good Mounsieur, but to help Caualery

[1475]

Cobweb to scratch. I must to the Barbers Mounsieur, for

me‑thinkes I am maruellous hairy about the face. And I

am such a tender asse, if my haire do but tickle me, I must

scratch.

Tita.

What, wilt thou heare some musicke, my sweet

[1480]

loue.

Clow.

I haue a reasonable good eare in musicke. Let

vs haue the tongs and the bones.

Musicke Tongs, Rurall Musicke. Tita. Or say sweete Loue, what thou desirest to eat. Clowne.

Truly a pecke of Prouender; I could munch

[1485]

your good dry Oates. Me‑thinkes I haue a great desire

to a bottle of hay: good hay, sweete hay hath no fel­

low.

Tita. I haue a venturous Fairy, That shall seeke the Squirrels hoard,
[1490]
And fetch thee new Nuts.
Clown.

I had rather haue a handfull or two of dried

pease. But I pray you let none of your people stirre me, I

haue an exposition of sleepe come vpon me.

Tyta. Sleepe thou, and I will winde thee in my arms,
[1495]
Fairies be gone, and be alwaies away. So doth the woodbine, the sweet Honisuckle, Gently entwist; the female Iuy so Enrings the barky fingers of the Elme.

Right Column


O how I loue thee! how I dote on thee ! Enter Robin goodfellow and Oberon. Ob.
[1500]
Welcome good Robin: Seest thou this sweet sight? Her dotage now I doe begin to pitty. For meeting her of late behinde the wood, Seeking sweet sauors for this hatefull foole,
[1505]
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 dew which somtime on the buds, Was wont to swell like round and orient pearles;
[1510]
Stood now within the pretty flouriets eyes, Like teares that did their owne disgrace bewaile. When I had at my pleasure taunted her, And she in milde termes beg'd my patience, I then did aske of her, her changeling childe,
[1515]
Which straight she gaue me, and her Fairy sent To beare him to my Bower in Fairy Land. And now I haue the Boy, I will vndoe This hatefull imperfection of her eyes. And gentle Pucke, take this transformed scalpe,
[1520]
From off the head of this Athenian swaine; That he awaking when the other doe, May all to Athens backe againe repaire, And thinke no more of this nights accidents, But as the fierce vexation of a dreame.
[1525]
But first I will release the Fairy Queene. Be thou as thou wast wont to be; See as thou wast wont to see. Dians bud, or Cupids flower, Hath such force and blessed power.
[1530]
Now my Titania wake you my sweet Queene.
Tita. My Oberon, what visions haue I seene! Me‑thought I was enamoured of an Asse. Ob. There lies your loue. Tita. How came these things to passe?
[1535]
Oh, how mine eyes doth loath this visage now!
Ob. Silence a while. Robin take off his head: Titania, musick call, and strike more dead Then common sleepe; of all these, fine the sense. Tita. Musicke, ho musicke, such as charmeth sleepe. Musick still. Rob.
[1540]
When thou wak'st, with thine owne fooles eies peepe.
Ob. Sound musick; come my Queen, take hands with (me And rocke the ground whereon these sleepers be. Now thou and I are new in amity, And will to morrow midnight, solemnly
[1545]
Dance in Duke Theseus house triumphantly, And blesse it to all faire posterity. There shall the paires of faithfull Louers be Wedded, with Theseus, all in iollity.
Rob. Faire King attend, and marke,
[1550]
I doe heare the morning Larke.
Ob. Then my Queene in silence sad, Trip we after the nights shade; We the Globe can compasse soone, Swifter then the wandring Moone. Tita.
[1555]
Come my Lord, and in our flight, Tell me how it came this night, That I sleeping heere was found, Sleepers Lye still. O With

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Actus Quartus. [Act 4, Scene 1] Enter Queene of Fairies, and Clowne, and Fairies, and the King behinde them. Tita. Come, sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed, While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy,
[1455]
And sticke muske roses in thy sleeke smoothe head, And kisse thy faire large eares, my gentle ioy.
Clow.

Where's Pease blossome?

Peas.

Ready.

Clow.

Scratch my head, Pease‑blossome. Wher's Moun­

[1460]

sieuer Cobweb.

Cob.

Ready.

Clowne.

Mounsieur Cobweb, good Mounsier get your

weapons in your hand, & kill me a red hipt humble‑Bee,

on the top of a thistle; and good Mounsieur bring mee

[1465]

the hony bag. Doe not fret your selfe too much in the

action, Mounsieur; and good Mounsieur haue a care the

hony bag breake not, I would be loth to haue yo u ouer‑

flowne with a hony‑bag signiour. Where's Mounsieur

Mustardseed?

Mus.
[1470]

Ready.

Clo.

Giue me your neafe, Mounsieur Mustardseed.

Pray you leaue your courtesie good Mounsieur.

Mus.

What's your will?

Clo.

Nothing good Mounsieur, but to help Caualery

[1475]

Cobweb to scratch. I must to the Barbers Mounsieur, for

me‑thinkes I am maruellous hairy about the face. And I

am such a tender asse, if my haire do but tickle me, I must

scratch.

Tita.

What, wilt thou heare some musicke, my sweet

[1480]

loue.

Clow.

I haue a reasonable good eare in musicke. Let

vs haue the tongs and the bones.

Musicke Tongs, Rurall Musicke. Tita. Or say sweete Loue, what thou desirest to eat. Clowne.

Truly a pecke of Prouender; I could munch

[1485]

your good dry Oates. Me‑thinkes I haue a great desire

to a bottle of hay: good hay, sweete hay hath no fel­

low.

Tita. I haue a venturous Fairy, That shall seeke the Squirrels hoard,
[1490]
And fetch thee new Nuts.
Clown.

I had rather haue a handfull or two of dried

pease. But I pray you let none of your people stirre me, I

haue an exposition of sleepe come vpon me.

Tyta. Sleepe thou, and I will winde thee in my arms,
[1495]
Fairies be gone, and be alwaies away. So doth the woodbine, the sweet Honisuckle, Gently entwist; the female Iuy so Enrings the barky fingers of the Elme. O how I loue thee! how I dote on thee !
Enter Robin goodfellow and Oberon. Ob.
[1500]
Welcome good Robin: Seest thou this sweet sight? Her dotage now I doe begin to pitty. For meeting her of late behinde the wood, Seeking sweet sauors for this hatefull foole,
[1505]
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 dew which somtime on the buds, Was wont to swell like round and orient pearles;
[1510]
Stood now within the pretty flouriets eyes, Like teares that did their owne disgrace bewaile. When I had at my pleasure taunted her, And she in milde termes beg'd my patience, I then did aske of her, her changeling childe,
[1515]
Which straight she gaue me, and her Fairy sent To beare him to my Bower in Fairy Land. And now I haue the Boy, I will vndoe This hatefull imperfection of her eyes. And gentle Pucke, take this transformed scalpe,
[1520]
From off the head of this Athenian swaine; That he awaking when the other doe, May all to Athens backe againe repaire, And thinke no more of this nights accidents, But as the fierce vexation of a dreame.
[1525]
But first I will release the Fairy Queene. Be thou as thou wast wont to be; See as thou wast wont to see. Dians bud, or Cupids flower, Hath such force and blessed power.
[1530]
Now my Titania wake you my sweet Queene.
Tita. My Oberon, what visions haue I seene! Me‑thought I was enamoured of an Asse. Ob. There lies your loue. Tita. How came these things to passe?
[1535]
Oh, how mine eyes doth loath this visage now!
Ob. Silence a while. Robin take off his head: Titania, musick call, and strike more dead Then common sleepe; of all these, fine the sense. Tita. Musicke, ho musicke, such as charmeth sleepe. Musick still. Rob.
[1540]
When thou wak'st, with thine owne fooles eies peepe.
Ob. Sound musick; come my Queen, take hands with (me And rocke the ground whereon these sleepers be. Now thou and I are new in amity, And will to morrow midnight, solemnly
[1545]
Dance in Duke Theseus house triumphantly, And blesse it to all faire posterity. There shall the paires of faithfull Louers be Wedded, with Theseus, all in iollity.
Rob. Faire King attend, and marke,
[1550]
I doe heare the morning Larke.
Ob. Then my Queene in silence sad, Trip we after the nights shade; We the Globe can compasse soone, Swifter then the wandring Moone. Tita.
[1555]
Come my Lord, and in our flight, Tell me how it came this night, That I sleeping heere was found, Sleepers Lye still. With these mortals on the ground.
Exeunt. Winde Hornes. Enter Theseus, Egeus, Hippolita and all his traine. Thes. Goe one of you, finde out the Forrester,
[1560]
For now our obseruation is perform'd; And since we haue the vaward of the day, My Loue shall heare the musicke of my hounds. Vncouple in the Westerne valley, let them goe; Dispatch I say, and finde the Forrester.
[1565]
We will faire Queene, vp to the Mountaines top. And marke the musicall confusion Of hounds and eccho in coniunction.
Hip. I was with Hercules and Cadmus once, When in a wood of Creete they bayed the Beare
[1570]
With hounds of Sparta; neuer did I heare Such gallant chiding. For besides the groues, The skies, the fountaines, euery region neere, Seeme all one mutuall cry. I neuer heard So musicall a discord, such sweet thunder.
Thes.
[1575]
My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kinde, So flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are hung With eares that sweepe away the morning dew, Crooke kneed, and dew‑lapt, like Thessalian Buls, Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bels,
[1580]
Each vnder each. A cry more tuneable Was neuer hallowed to, nor cheer'd with horne, In Creete, in Sparta, nor in Thessaly; Iudge when you heare. B ut soft, what nimphs are these?
Egeus. My Lord, this is my daughter heere asleepe,
[1585]
And this Lysander, this Demetrius is, This Helena, olde Nedars Helena, I wonder of this being heere together.
The. No doubt they rose vp early, to obserue The right of May; and hearing our intent,
[1590]
Came heere in grace of our solemnity. But speake Egeus, is not this the day That Hermia should giue answer of her choice?
Egeus. It is, my Lord. Thes. Goe bid the hunts‑men wake them with their hornes. Hornes and they wake. Shout within, they all start vp. Thes.
[1595]
Good morrow friends: Saint Valentine is past, Begin these wood birds but to couple now?
Lys. Pardon my Lord. Thes. I pray you all stand vp. I know you two are Riuall enemies.
[1600]
How comes this gentle concord in the world, That hatred is is is so farre from iealousie, To sleepe by hate, and feare no enmity.
Lys. My Lord, I shall reply amazedly, Halfe sleepe, halfe waking. But as yet, I sweare,
[1605]
I cannot truly say how I came heere. But as I thinke (for truly would I speake) And now I doe bethinke me, so it is; I came with Hermia hither. Our intent Was to be gone from Athens, where we might be
[1610]
Without the perill of the Athenian Law.
Ege. Enough, enough, my Lord: you haue enough; I beg the Law, the Law, vpon his head: They would have stolne away, they would Demetrius, Thereby to haue defeated you and me:
[1615]
You of your wife, and me of my consent; Of my consent, that she should be your wife.
Dem. My Lord, faire Helen told me of their stealth, Of this their purpose hither, to this wood, And I in furie hither followed them;
[1620]
Faire Helena, in fancy followed me. But my good Lord, I wot not by what power, (But by some power it is) my loue To Hermia (melted as the snow) Seems to me now as the remembrance of an idle gaude,
[1625]
Which in my childehood I did doat 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 betroth'd, ere I see Hermia,
[1630]
But like a sickenesse did I loath this food, But as in health, come to my naturall taste, Now doe I wish it, loue it, long for it, And will for euermore be true to it.
Thes. Faire Louers, you are fortunately met;
[1635]
Of this discourse we shall heare more anon. Egeus, I will ouer‑beare your will; For in the Temple, by and by with vs, These couples shall eternally be knit. And for the morning now is something worne,
[1640]
Our purpos'd hunting shall be set aside. Away, with vs to Athens; three and three, Wee'll hold a feast in great solemnitie. Come Hippolitæ.
Exit Duke and Lords. Dem. These things seeme small & vndistinguishable,
[1645]
Like farre off mountaines turned into Clouds.
Her. Me‑thinks I see these things with parted eye, When euery things seemes double. Hel. So me‑thinkes: And I haue found Demetrius, like a iewell,
[1650]
Mine owne, and not mine owne.
Dem. It seemes to mee, That yet we sleepe, we dreame. Do not you thinke, The Duke was heere, and bid vs follow him? Her. Yea, and my Father. Hel.
[1655]
And Hippolitæ.
Lys. And he bid vs follow to the Temple. Dem. Why then we are awake; lets follow him, and by the way let vs recount our dreames. Bottome wakes. Exit Louers. Clo.

When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.

My next is, most faire Piramus. Hey ho. Peter Quince?

[1660]

Flute the bellowes‑mender? Snout the tinker? Starue­ ling ? Gods my life! Stolne hence, and left me asleepe: I

haue had a most rare vision. I had a dreame, past the wit

of man, to say, what dreame it was. Man is but an Asse,

if he goe about to expound this dreame. Me‑thought I

[1665]

was, there is no man can tell what. Me‑thought I was,

and me‑thought I had. But man is but a patch'd foole,

if he will offer to say, what me‑thought I had. The eye of

man hath not heard, the eare of man hath not seen, mans

hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceiue, nor his

[1670]

heart to report, what my dreame was. I will get Peter Quince to write a ballet of this dreame, it shall be called

Bottomes Dreame, because it hath no bottome; and I will

sing it in the latter end of a play, before the Duke. Per­

aduenture, to make it the more gracious, I shall sing it

[1675]

at her death.

Exit.
 

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<div type="scene" n="1">
   <head rend="italic center">Actus Quartus.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 4, Scene 1]</head>
   <stage rend="italic" type="entrance">Enter Queene of Fairies, and Clowne, and Fairies, and the
      <lb/>King behinde them.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1453">Come, sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed,</l>
      <l n="1454">While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy,</l>
      <l n="1455">And sticke muske roses in thy sleeke smoothe head,</l>
      <l n="1456">And kisse thy faire large eares, my gentle ioy.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clow.</speaker>
      <p n="1457">Where's<hi rend="italic">Pease blossome?</hi>
      </p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-pea">
      <speaker rend="italic">Peas.</speaker>
      <p n="1458">Ready.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clow.</speaker>
      <p n="1459">Scratch my head,<hi rend="italic">Pease‑blossome</hi>. Wher's Moun­
      <lb n="1460"/>sieuer<hi rend="italic">Cobweb</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-cob">
      <speaker rend="italic">Cob.</speaker>
      <p n="1461">Ready.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clowne.</speaker>
      <p n="1462">Mounsieur<hi rend="italic">Cobweb</hi>, good Mounsier get your
      <lb n="1463"/>weapons in your hand, &amp; kill me a red hipt humble‑Bee,
      <lb n="1464"/>on the top of a thistle; and good Mounsieur bring mee
      <lb n="1465"/>the hony bag. Doe not fret your selfe too much in the
      <lb n="1466"/>action, Mounsieur; and good Mounsieur haue a care the
      <lb n="1467"/>hony bag breake not, I would be loth to haue yo<c rend="invertedType">u</c>ouer‑
      <lb n="1468"/>flowne with a hony‑bag signiour. Where's Mounsieur
      <lb n="1469"/>
         <hi rend="italic">Mustardseed</hi>?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-mus">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mus.</speaker>
      <p n="1470">Ready.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clo.</speaker>
      <p n="1471">Giue me your neafe, Mounsieur<hi rend="italic">Mustardseed</hi>.
      <lb n="1472"/>Pray you leaue your courtesie good Mounsieur.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-mus">
      <speaker rend="italic">Mus.</speaker>
      <p n="1473">What's your will?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clo.</speaker>
      <p n="1474">Nothing good Mounsieur, but to help Caualery
      <lb n="1475"/>
         <hi rend="italic">Cobweb</hi>to scratch. I must to the Barbers Mounsieur, for
      <lb n="1476"/>me‑thinkes I am maruellous hairy about the face. And I
      <lb n="1477"/>am such a tender asse, if my haire do but tickle me, I must
      <lb n="1478"/>scratch.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <p n="1479">What, wilt thou heare some musicke, my sweet
      <lb n="1480"/>loue.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clow.</speaker>
      <p n="1481">I haue a reasonable good eare in musicke. Let
      <lb n="1482"/>vs haue the tongs and the bones.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="business">Musicke Tongs, Rurall Musicke.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1483">Or say sweete Loue, what thou desirest to eat.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clowne.</speaker>
      <p n="1484">Truly a pecke of Prouender; I could munch
      <lb n="1485"/>your good dry Oates. Me‑thinkes I haue a great desire
      <lb n="1486"/>to a bottle of hay: good hay, sweete hay hath no fel­
      <lb n="1487"/>low.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1488">I haue a venturous Fairy,</l>
      <l n="1489">That shall seeke the Squirrels hoard,</l>
      <l n="1490">And fetch thee new Nuts.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clown.</speaker>
      <p n="1491">I had rather haue a handfull or two of dried
      <lb n="1492"/>pease. But I pray you let none of your people stirre me, I
      <lb n="1493"/>haue an exposition of sleepe come vpon me.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tyta.</speaker>
      <l n="1494">Sleepe thou, and I will winde thee in my arms,</l>
      <l n="1495">Fairies be gone, and be alwaies away.</l>
      <l n="1496">So doth the woodbine, the sweet Honisuckle,</l>
      <l n="1497">Gently entwist; the female Iuy so</l>
      <l n="1498">Enrings the barky fingers of the Elme.</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1499">O how I loue thee! how I dote on thee<hi rend="italic">!</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Robin goodfellow and Oberon.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
      <l n="1500">Welcome good<hi rend="italic">Robin</hi>:</l>
      <l n="1501">Seest thou this sweet sight?</l>
      <l n="1502">Her dotage now I doe begin to pitty.</l>
      <l n="1503">For meeting her of late behinde the wood,</l>
      <l n="1504">Seeking sweet sauors for this hatefull foole,</l>
      <l n="1505">I did vpbraid her, and fall out with her.</l>
      <l n="1506">For she his hairy temples then had rounded,</l>
      <l n="1507">With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers.</l>
      <l n="1508">And that same dew which somtime on the buds,</l>
      <l n="1509">Was wont to swell like round and orient pearles;</l>
      <l n="1510">Stood now within the pretty flouriets eyes,</l>
      <l n="1511">Like teares that did their owne disgrace bewaile.</l>
      <l n="1512">When I had at my pleasure taunted her,</l>
      <l n="1513">And she in milde termes beg'd my patience,</l>
      <l n="1514">I then did aske of her, her changeling childe,</l>
      <l n="1515">Which straight she gaue me, and her Fairy sent</l>
      <l n="1516">To beare him to my Bower in Fairy Land.</l>
      <l n="1517">And now I haue the Boy, I will vndoe</l>
      <l n="1518">This hatefull imperfection of her eyes.</l>
      <l n="1519">And gentle<hi rend="italic">Pucke</hi>, take this transformed scalpe,</l>
      <l n="1520">From off the head of this<hi rend="italic">Athenian</hi>swaine;</l>
      <l n="1521">That he awaking when the other doe,</l>
      <l n="1522">May all to<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>backe againe repaire,</l>
      <l n="1523">And thinke no more of this nights accidents,</l>
      <l n="1524">But as the fierce vexation of a dreame.</l>
      <l n="1525">But first I will release the Fairy Queene.</l>
      <l rend="italic centre" n="1526">Be thou as thou wast wont to be;</l>
      <l rend="italic centre" n="1527">See as thou wast wont to see.</l>
      <l rend="italic centre" n="1528">Dians bud, or Cupids flower,</l>
      <l rend="italic centre" n="1529">Hath such force and blessed power.</l>
      <l n="1530">Now my<hi rend="italic">Titania</hi>wake you my sweet Queene.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1531">My<hi rend="italic">Oberon</hi>, what visions haue I seene!</l>
      <l n="1532">Me‑thought I was enamoured of an Asse.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
      <l n="1533">There lies your loue.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1534">How came these things to passe?</l>
      <l n="1535">Oh, how mine eyes doth loath this visage now!</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
      <l n="1536">Silence a while.<hi rend="italic">Robin</hi>take off his head:</l>
      <l n="1537">
         <hi rend="italic">Titania</hi>, musick call, and strike more dead</l>
      <l n="1538">Then common sleepe; of all these, fine the sense.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1539">Musicke, ho musicke, such as charmeth sleepe.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Musick still.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
      <speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
      <l n="1540">When thou wak'st, with thine owne fooles eies
      <lb/>peepe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
      <l n="1541">Sound musick; come my Queen, take hands with
      <lb rend="turnover"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>me</l>
      <l n="1542">And rocke the ground whereon these sleepers be.</l>
      <l n="1543">Now thou and I are new in amity,</l>
      <l n="1544">And will to morrow midnight, solemnly</l>
      <l n="1545">Dance in Duke<hi rend="italic">Theseus</hi>house triumphantly,</l>
      <l n="1546">And blesse it to all faire posterity.</l>
      <l n="1547">There shall the paires of faithfull Louers be</l>
      <l n="1548">Wedded, with<hi rend="italic">Theseus</hi>, all in iollity.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
      <speaker rend="italic">Rob.</speaker>
      <l n="1549">Faire King attend, and marke,</l>
      <l n="1550">I doe heare the morning Larke.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
      <l n="1551">Then my Queene in silence sad,</l>
      <l n="1552">Trip we after the nights shade;</l>
      <l n="1553">We the Globe can compasse soone,</l>
      <l n="1554">Swifter then the wandring Moone.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="1555">Come my Lord, and in our flight,</l>
      <l n="1556">Tell me how it came this night,</l>
      <l n="1557">That I sleeping heere was found,</l>
      <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Sleepers Lye still.</stage>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0178-0.jpg" n="158"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="1558">With these mortals on the ground.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Winde Hornes.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Theseus, Egeus, Hippolita and all his traine.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1559">Goe one of you, finde out the Forrester,</l>
      <l n="1560">For now our obseruation is perform'd;</l>
      <l n="1561">And since we haue the vaward of the day,</l>
      <l n="1562">My Loue shall heare the musicke of my hounds.</l>
      <l n="1563">Vncouple in the Westerne valley, let them goe;</l>
      <l n="1564">Dispatch I say, and finde the Forrester.</l>
      <l n="1565">We will faire Queene, vp to the Mountaines top.</l>
      <l n="1566">And marke the musicall confusion</l>
      <l n="1567">Of hounds and eccho in coniunction.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
      <l n="1568">I was with<hi rend="italic">Hercules</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Cadmus</hi>once,</l>
      <l n="1569">When in a wood of<hi rend="italic">Creete</hi>they bayed the Beare</l>
      <l n="1570">With hounds of<hi rend="italic">Sparta</hi>; neuer did I heare</l>
      <l n="1571">Such gallant chiding. For besides the groues,</l>
      <l n="1572">The skies, the fountaines, euery region neere,</l>
      <l n="1573">Seeme all one mutuall cry. I neuer heard</l>
      <l n="1574">So musicall a discord, such sweet thunder.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1575">My hounds are bred out of the<hi rend="italic">Spartan</hi>kinde,</l>
      <l n="1576">So flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are hung</l>
      <l n="1577">With eares that sweepe away the morning dew,</l>
      <l n="1578">Crooke kneed, and dew‑lapt, like<hi rend="italic">Thessalian</hi>Buls,</l>
      <l n="1579">Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bels,</l>
      <l n="1580">Each vnder each. A cry more tuneable</l>
      <l n="1581">Was neuer hallowed to, nor cheer'd with horne,</l>
      <l n="1582">In<hi rend="italic">Creete</hi>, in<hi rend="italic">Sparta</hi>, nor in<hi rend="italic">Thessaly</hi>;</l>
      <l n="1583">Iudge when you heare. B<c rend="invertedType">u</c>t soft, what nimphs are these?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Egeus.</speaker>
      <l n="1584">My Lord, this is my daughter heere asleepe,</l>
      <l n="1585">And this<hi rend="italic">Lysander</hi>, this<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>is,</l>
      <l n="1586">This<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>, olde<hi rend="italic">Nedars Helena</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1587">I wonder of this being heere together.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1588">No doubt they rose vp early, to obserue</l>
      <l n="1589">The right of May; and hearing our intent,</l>
      <l n="1590">Came heere in grace of our solemnity.</l>
      <l n="1591">But speake<hi rend="italic">Egeus</hi>, is not this the day</l>
      <l n="1592">That<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>should giue answer of her choice?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Egeus.</speaker>
      <l n="1593">It is, my Lord.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1594">Goe bid the hunts‑men wake them with their
      <lb/>hornes.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Hornes and they wake.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="business">Shout within, they all start vp.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1595">Good morrow friends: Saint<hi rend="italic">Valentine</hi>is past,</l>
      <l n="1596">Begin these wood birds but to couple now?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <l n="1597">Pardon my Lord.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1598">I pray you all stand vp.</l>
      <l n="1599">I know you two are Riuall enemies.</l>
      <l n="1600">How comes this gentle concord in the world,</l>
      <l n="1601">That hatred<choice>
            <orig>is is</orig>
            <corr>is</corr>
         </choice>so farre from iealousie,</l>
      <l n="1602">To sleepe by hate, and feare no enmity.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <l n="1603">My Lord, I shall reply amazedly,</l>
      <l n="1604">Halfe sleepe, halfe waking. But as yet, I sweare,</l>
      <l n="1605">I cannot truly say how I came heere.</l>
      <l n="1606">But as I thinke (for truly would I speake)</l>
      <l n="1607">And now I doe bethinke me, so it is;</l>
      <l n="1608">I came with<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>hither. Our intent</l>
      <l n="1609">Was to be gone from<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>, where we might be</l>
      <l n="1610">Without the perill of the<hi rend="italic">Athenian</hi>Law.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
      <l n="1611">Enough, enough, my Lord: you haue enough;</l>
      <l n="1612">I beg the Law, the Law, vpon his head:</l>
      <l n="1613">They would have stolne away, they would<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1614">Thereby to haue defeated you and me:</l>
      <l n="1615">You of your wife, and me of my consent;</l>
      <l n="1616">Of my consent, that she should be your wife.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <l n="1617">My Lord, faire<hi rend="italic">Helen</hi>told me of their stealth,</l>
      <l n="1618">Of this their purpose hither, to this wood,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1619">And I in furie hither followed them;</l>
      <l n="1620">Faire<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>, in fancy followed me.</l>
      <l n="1621">But my good Lord, I wot not by what power,</l>
      <l n="1622">(But by some power it is) my loue</l>
      <l n="1623">To<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>(melted as the snow)</l>
      <l n="1624">Seems to me now as the remembrance of an idle gaude,</l>
      <l n="1625">Which in my childehood I did doat vpon:</l>
      <l n="1626">And all the faith, the vertue of my heart,</l>
      <l n="1627">The obiect and the pleasure of mine eye,</l>
      <l n="1628">Is onely<hi rend="italic">Helena</hi>. To her, my Lord,</l>
      <l n="1629">Was I betroth'd, ere I see<hi rend="italic">Hermia</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1630">But like a sickenesse did I loath this food,</l>
      <l n="1631">But as in health, come to my naturall taste,</l>
      <l n="1632">Now doe I wish it, loue it, long for it,</l>
      <l n="1633">And will for euermore be true to it.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1634">Faire Louers, you are fortunately met;</l>
      <l n="1635">Of this discourse we shall heare more anon.</l>
      <l n="1636">
         <hi rend="italic">Egeus</hi>, I will ouer‑beare your will;</l>
      <l n="1637">For in the Temple, by and by with vs,</l>
      <l n="1638">These couples shall eternally be knit.</l>
      <l n="1639">And for the morning now is something worne,</l>
      <l n="1640">Our purpos'd hunting shall be set aside.</l>
      <l n="1641">Away, with vs to<hi rend="italic">Athens</hi>; three and three,</l>
      <l n="1642">Wee'll hold a feast in great solemnitie.</l>
      <l n="1643">Come<hi rend="italic">Hippolitæ</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Duke and Lords.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <l n="1644">These things seeme small &amp; vndistinguishable,</l>
      <l n="1645">Like farre off mountaines turned into Clouds.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
      <l n="1646">Me‑thinks I see these things with parted eye,</l>
      <l n="1647">When euery things seemes double.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
      <l n="1648">So me‑thinkes:</l>
      <l n="1649">And I haue found<hi rend="italic">Demetrius</hi>, like a iewell,</l>
      <l n="1650">Mine owne, and not mine owne.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <l n="1651">It seemes to mee,</l>
      <l n="1652">That yet we sleepe, we dreame. Do not you thinke,</l>
      <l n="1653">The Duke was heere, and bid vs follow him?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-her">
      <speaker rend="italic">Her.</speaker>
      <l n="1654">Yea, and my Father.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hel">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hel.</speaker>
      <l n="1655">And<hi rend="italic">Hippolitæ</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <l n="1656">And he bid vs follow to the Temple.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <l n="1657">Why then we are awake; lets follow him, and
      <lb/>by the way let vs recount our dreames.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="business">Bottome wakes.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Louers.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Clo.</speaker>
      <p n="1658">When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.
      <lb n="1659"/>My next is, most faire<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>. Hey ho.<hi rend="italic">Peter Quince</hi>?
      <lb n="1660"/>
         <hi rend="italic">Flute</hi>the bellowes‑mender?<hi rend="italic">Snout</hi>the tinker?<hi rend="italic">Starue­
      <lb n="1661"/>ling</hi>? Gods my life! Stolne hence, and left me asleepe: I
      <lb n="1662"/>haue had a most rare vision. I had a dreame, past the wit
      <lb n="1663"/>of man, to say, what dreame it was. Man is but an Asse,
      <lb n="1664"/>if he goe about to expound this dreame. Me‑thought I
      <lb n="1665"/>was, there is no man can tell what. Me‑thought I was,
      <lb n="1666"/>and me‑thought I had. But man is but a patch'd foole,
      <lb n="1667"/>if he will offer to say, what me‑thought I had. The eye of
      <lb n="1668"/>man hath not heard, the eare of man hath not seen, mans
      <lb n="1669"/>hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceiue, nor his
      <lb n="1670"/>heart to report, what my dreame was. I will get<hi rend="italic">Peter
      <lb n="1671"/>Quince</hi>to write a ballet of this dreame, it shall be called
      <lb n="1672"/>
         <hi rend="italic">Bottomes Dreame</hi>, because it hath no bottome; and I will
      <lb n="1673"/>sing it in the latter end of a play, before the Duke. Per­
      <lb n="1674"/>aduenture, to make it the more gracious, I shall sing it
      <lb n="1675"/>at her death.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>

                                
                            

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