The Bodleian First Folio

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



Text and Image

Here you can read a digital edition of each play in various views.

Page Image & Text
Digital Text
XML

Reference: O3v - Comedies, p. 162

Left Column


A Midsommer nights Dreame.
[2035]
And farwell friends, thus Thisbie ends; Adieu, adieu, adieu.
Duk.

Moone‑shine & Lion are left to burie the dead.

Deme.

I, and Wall too.

Bot.

No, I assure you, the wall is downe, that parted

[2040]

their Fathers. Will it please you to see the Epilogue, or

to heare a Bergomask dance, betweene two of our com­

pany?

Duk.

No Epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs

no excuse. Neuer excuse; for when the plaiers are all

[2045]

dead, there need none to be blamed. Marry, if hee that

writ it had plaid Piramus, and hung 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.

[2050]
The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelue. Louers to bed, 'tis almost Fairy time. I feare we shall out‑sleepe the comming morne, As much as we this night haue ouer‑watcht. This palpable grosse play hath well beguil'd
[2055]
The heauy gate of night. Sweet friends to bed. A fortnight hold we this solemnity. In nightly Reuels; and new iollitie.
Exeunt. Enter Pucke. Puck Now the hungry Lyons rores, And the Wolfe beholds the Moone:
[2060]
Whilest the heauy ploughman snores, All with weary taske fore‑done. Now the wasted brands doe glow, Whil'st the scritch‑owle, scritching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe,
[2065]
In remembrance of a shrowd. 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,
[2070]
And we Fairies, that do runne, By the triple Hecates teame, From the presence of the Sunne, Following darkenesse like a dreame, Now are frollicke; not a Mouse
[2075]
Shall disturbe this hallowed house. I am sent with broome before, To sweep the dust behinde the doore.
Enter King and Queene of Fairies, with their traine. Ob. Through the house giue glimmering light,

Right Column


By the dead and drowsie fier,
[2080]
Euerie Elfe and Fairie spright, Hop as light as bird from brier, And this Ditty after me, sing and dance it trippinglie.
Tita. First rehearse this song by roate, To each word a warbling note.
[2085]
Hand in hand, with Fairie grace, Will we sing and blesse this place. The Song. Now vntill the breake of day, Through this house each Fairy stray. To the best Bride‑bed will we,
[2090]
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:
[2095]
And the blots of Natures hand, Shall not in their issue stand. Neuer mole, harelip, nor scarre, Nor marke prodigious, such as are Despised in Natiuitie,
[2100]
Shall vpon their children be. With this field dew consecrate, Euery Fairy take his gate, And each seuerall chamber blesse, Through this Pallace with sweet peace,
[2105]
Euer shall in safety rest, And the owner of it blest. Trip away, make no stay; Meet me all by breake of day.
Robin. If we shadowes haue offended,
[2110]
Thinke but this (and all is mended) That you haue but slumbred heere, While these visions did appeare. And this weake and idle theame, No more yeelding but a dreame,
[2115]
Centles Gentles , doe not reprehend. If you pardon, we will mend. And as I am an honest Pucke, If we haue vnearned lucke, Now to scape the Serpents tongue,
[2120]
We will make amends ere long: Else the Pucke a lyar call. So good night vnto you all. Giue me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.
FINIS.

Download the digital text and images of the play



 
Actus Quintus. [Act 5, Scene 1] Enter Theseus, Hippolita, Egeus and his Lords. Hip. 'Tis strange my Theseus, y t these louers speake of. The. More strange then true. I neuer may beleeue These anticke fables, nor these Fairy toyes,
[1720]
Louers and mad men haue such seething braines, Such shaping phantasies, that apprehend more Then coole reason euer comprehends. The Lunaticke, the Louer, and the Poet, Are of imagination all compact.
[1725]
One sees more diuels then vaste hell can hold hold. Here a tear in the page partially obscures the final character of the line, and entirely obscures the final punctuation mark. That is the mad man. The Louer, all as frantick franticke, Here a paper patch obscures the end of the line Sees Helens beauty in a brow of Egipt. The Poets eye in a fine frenzy rolling, doth glance From heauen to earth, from earth to heauen.
[1730]
And as imagination bodies forth the forms of things Vnknowne; the Poets pen turnes them to shapes, And giues to aire nothing, a locall habitation, And a name. Such tricks hath strong imagination, That if it would but apprehend some ioy,
[1735]
It comprehends some bringer of that ioy. Or in the night, imagining some feare, Howe easie is a bush suppos'd a Beare?
Hip. But all the storie of the night told ouer, And all their minds transfigur'd so together,
[1740]
More witnesseth than fancies images, And growes to something of great constancie; But howsoeuer, strange, and admirable.
Enter louers, Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, and Helena. The. Heere come the louers, full of ioy and mirth: Ioy, gentle friends, ioy and fresh dayes
[1745]
Of loue accompany your hearts.
Lys. More then to vs, waite in your royall walkes, your boord, your bed. The. Come now, what maskes, what dances shall we haue, To weare away this long age of three houres, Between our after supper, and bed‑time?
[1750]
Where is our vsuall manager of mirth? What Reuels are in hand? Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing houre? Call Egeus.
Ege. Heere mighty Theseus. The.
[1755]
Say, what abridgement haue you for this eue­ ning? What maske? What musicke? How shall we beguile The lazie time, if not with some delight?
Ege. There is a breefe how many sports are rife: Make choise of which your Highnesse will see first. Lis.
[1760]
The battell with the Centaurs to be sung By an Athenian Eunuch, to the Harpe.
The. Wee'l none of that. That haue I told my Loue In glory of my kinsman Hercules. Lis. The riot of the tipsie Bachanals,
[1765]
Tearing the Thracian singer, in their rage ?
The. That is an old deuice, and it was plaid When I from Thebes came last a Conqueror. Lis. The thrice three Muses, mourning for the death of learning, late deceast in beggerie. The. That is some Satire keene and criticall,
[1770]
Not sorting with a nuptiall ceremonie.
Lis. A tedious breefe Scene of yong Piramus, And his loue Thisby; very tragicall mirth. The.

Merry and tragicall? Tedious, and briefe? That

is, hot ice, and wondrous strange snow. How shall wee

[1775]

finde the concord of this discord?

Ege. A play there is, my Lord, some ten words long, Which is as breefe, 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,
[1780]
There is not one word apt, one Player fitted. And tragicall my noble Lord it is: for Piramus Therein doth kill himselfe. Which when I saw Rehearst, I must confesse, made mine eyes water: But more merrie teares, the passion of loud laughter
[1785]
Neuer shed.
Thes. What are they that do play it? Ege. Hard handed men, that worke in Athens heere, Which neuer labour'd in their mindes till now; And now haue toyled their vn Here the corner of the page is torn away, obscuring the second part of the last three lines of the column.
[1790]
With this same play, against e will he
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 intents,
[1795]
Extreamely stretcht, and cond with cruell paine, To doe you seruice.
Thes. I will heare that play. For neuer any thing Can be amisse, when simplenesse and duty tender it. Goe bring them in, and take your places, Ladies. Hip.
[1800]
I loue not to see wretchednesse orecharged; And duty in his seruice perishing.
Thes. Why gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing. Hip. He saies, they can doe nothing in this kinde. Thes. The kinder we, to giue them thanks for nothing
[1805]
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 Clearkes haue purposed To greete me with premeditated welcomes;
[1810]
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 me a welcome. Trust me sweete,
[1815]
Out of this silence yet, I pickt a welcome: And in the modesty of fearefull duty, I read as much, as from the ratling tongue Of saucy and audacious eloquence. Loue therefore, and tongue‑tide simplicity,
[1820]
In least, speake most, to my capacity.
Egeus. So please your Grace, the Prologue is addrest. Duke. Let him approach. Flor. Trum. Enter the Prologue. Quince. Pro. If we offend, it is with our good will. That you should thinke, we come not to offend,
[1825]
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 do not come, as minding to content you, Our true intent is. All for your delight,
[1830]
We are not heere. That you should here repent you, The Actors are at hand; and by their show, You shall know all, that you are like to know.
Thes. This fellow doth not stand vpon points. Lys.

He hath rid his Prologue, like a rough Colt: he

[1835]

knowes not the stop. A good morall my Lord. It is not

enough to speake, but to speake true.

Hip.

Indeed hee hath plaid on his Prologue, like a

childe on a Recorder, a sound, but not in gouernment.

Thes.

His speech was like a tangled chaine: nothing

[1840]

impaired, but all disordered. Who is next?

Tawyer with a Trumpet before them. Enter Pyramus and Thisby, Wall, Moone‑shine, and Lyon. Prol. Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show, But wonder on, till truth make all things plaine. This man is Piramus, if you would know; This beauteous Lady, Thisby is certaine.
[1845]
This man, with lyme and rough‑cast, doth present Wall, that vile wall, which did these louers sunder: And through walls chink (poor soules) they are content To whisper. At the which, let no man wonder. This man, with Lanthorne, dog, and bush of thorne,
[1850]
Here the corner of the page is torn away, obscuring the first part of the last three lines of the column. For if you will know, Louers thinke no scorne ere, there to wooe: This grizy beast (which Lyon hight by name) The trusty Thisby, comming first by night,
[1855]
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 Piramus, sweet youth and tall, And findes his Thisbies Mantle slaine;
[1860]
Whereat, with blade, with bloody blamefull blade, He brauely broacht his boiling bloudy breast, And Thisby, tarrying in Mulberry shade, His dagger drew, and died. For all the rest, Let Lyon, Moone‑shine, Wall, and Louers twaine,
[1865]
At large discourse, while here they doe remaine.
Exit all but Wall. Thes. I wonder if the Lion be to speake. Deme.

No wonder, my Lord: one Lion may, when

many Asses doe.

Exit Lyon, Thisbie, and Mooneshine. Wall. In this same Interlude, it doth befall,
[1870]
That I, one Snowt (by name) present a wall: And such a wall, as I vvould haue you thinke, That had in it a crannied hole or chinke: Through which the Louers, Piramus and Thisbie Did whisper often, very secretly.
[1875]
This loame, this rough‑cast, and this stone doth shew, That I am that same Wall; the truth is so. And this the cranny is, right and sinister, Through which the fearefull Louers are to whisper.
Thes.

Would you desire Lime and Haire to speake

[1880]

better?

Deme.

It is the vvittiest partition, that euer I heard

discourse, my Lord.

Thes. Pyramus drawes neere the Wall, silence. Enter Pyramus. Pir. O grim lookt night, ô night with hue so blacke,
[1885]
O night, which euer art, when day is not: O night, ô night, alacke, alacke, alacke, I feare my Thisbies promise is forgot. And thou ô vvall, thou sweet and louely vvall, That stands between her fathers ground and mine,
[1890]
Thou vvall, ô vvall, ô sweet and louely vvall, Shew me thy chinke, to blinke through vvith mine eine. Thankes courteous vvall. Ioue shield thee vvell for this. But vvhat see I? No Thisbie doe I see. O vvicked vvall, through vvhom I see no blisse,
[1895]
Curst be thy stones for thus deceiuing mee.
Thes.

The vvall me‑thinkes being sensible, should

curse againe.

Pir. No in truth sir, he should not. Deceiuing me, Is Thisbies cue; she is to enter, and I am to spy
[1900]
Her through the vvall. You shall see it vvill fall. Enter Thisbie. Pat as I told you; yonder she comes.
This. O vvall, full often hast thou heard my mones, For parting my faire Piramus, and me. There is damage from here for five lines, although no text is rendered illegible due to it: a tear, repaired with a paper patch on the recto of this page. My cherry lips haue often kist thy stones;
[1905]
Thy stones vvith Lime and Haire knit vp in thee.
Pyra. I see a voyce; now vvill I to the chinke, To spy and I can heare my Thisbies face. Thisbie? This. My Loue thou art, my Loue I thinke. Pir. Thinke vvhat thou vvilt, I am thy Louers grace,
[1910]
And like Limander am I trusty still.
This. And like Helen till the Fates me kill. Pir. Not Shafalus to Procrus, was so true. This. As Shafalus to Procrus, I to you. Pir. O kisse me through the hole of this vile wall. This.
[1915]
I kisse the wals hole, not your lips at all.
Pir. Wilt thou at Ninnies tombe meete me straight way? This. Tide life, tide death, I come without delay. Wall. Thus haue I Wall, my part discharged so; And being done, thus Wall away doth go. Exit Clow. Du.
[1920]

Now is the morall downe betweene the two

Neighbors.

Dem.

No remedie my Lord, when Wals are so wil­

full, to heare without vvarning.

Dut.

This is the silliest stuffe that ere I heard.

Du.
[1925]

The best in this kind are but shadowes, and the

worst are no worse, if imagination amend them.

Dut.

It must be your imagination then, & not theirs.

Duk.

If wee imagine no worse of them then they of

themselues, they may passe for excellent men. Here com

[1930]

two noble beasts, in a man and a Lion.

Enter Lyon and Moone‑shine. Lyon. You Ladies, you (whose gentle harts do feare The smallest monstrous mouse that creepes on floore) May now perchance, both quake and tremble heere, When Lion rough in wildest rage doth roare.
[1935]
Then know that I, one Snug the Ioyner am A Lion fell, nor else no Lions dam: For if I should as Lion come in strife Into this place, 'twere pittie of my life.
Du.

A verie gentle beast, and of good conscience.

Dem.
[1940]

The verie best at a beast, my Lord, y t ere I saw.

Lis.

This Lion is a verie Fox for his valor.

Du.

True, and a Goose for his discretion.

Dem.

Not so my Lord: for his valor cannot carrie

his discretion, and the Fox carries the Goose.

Du.
[1945]

His discretion I am sure cannot carrie his valor:

for the Goose carries not the Fox. It is well; leaue it to

his discretion, and let vs hearken to the Moone.

Moone. This Lanthorne doth the horned Moone pre­ sent. De.

He should haue worne the hornes on his head.

Du.
[1950]

Hee is no crescent, and his hornes are inuisible,

within the circumference.

Moon.

This lanthorne doth the horned Moone pre­

sent: My selfe, the man i'th Moone doth seeme to be.

Du.

This is the greatest error of all the rest; the man

[1955]

should be put into the Lanthorne. How is it els the man

i'th Moone?

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

I am vvearie of this Moone; vvould he would

[1960]

change.

Du.

It appeares by his smal light of discretion, that

he is in the wane: but yet in courtesie, in all reason, vve

must stay the time.

Lys.

Proceed Moone.

Moon.
[1965]

All that I haue to say, is to tell you, that the

Lanthorne is the Moone; I, the man in the Moone; this

thorne bush, my thorne bush; and this dog, my dog.

Dem.

Why all these should be in the Lanthorne: for

they are in the Moone. But silence, heere comes Thisby.

Enter Thisby. This.
[1970]
This is old Ninnies tombe: where is my loue?
Lyon. Oh. The Lion roares, Thisby runs off. Dem.

Well roar'd Lion.

Du.

Well run Thisby.

Dut. Well shone Moone.
[1975]
Truly the Moone shines with a good grace.
Du.

Wel mouz'd Lion.

Dem.

And then came Piramus.

Lys.

And so the Lion vanisht.

Enter Piramus. Pyr. Sweet Moone, I thank thee for thy sunny beames,
[1980]
I thanke thee Moone, for shining now so bright: For by thy gracious, golden, glittering beames, I trust to taste of truest Thisbies sight. But stay: O spight! but marke, poore Knight, What dreadful dole is heere?
[1985]
Eyes do you see! How can it be! O dainty Ducke: O Deere! Thy mantle good; what staind with blood! Approch you Furies fell: O Fates! come, come: Cut thred and thrum,
[1990]
Quaile, crush, conclude, and quell.
Du. This passion, and the death of a deare friend, Would go neere to make a man looke sad. Dut. Beshrew my heart, but I pittie the man. Pir. O wherefore Nature, did'st thou Lions frame?
[1995]
Since Lion vilde hath heere deflour'd my deere: Which is: no, no, which was the fairest Dame That liu'd, that lou'd, that lik'd, that look'd with cheere. Come teares, confound: Out sword, and wound The pap of Piramus:
[2000]
I, that left pap, where heart doth hop; Thus dye I, thus, thus, thus. Now am I dead, now am I fled, my soule is in the sky, Tongue lose thy light, Moone take thy flight, Now dye, dye, dye, dye, dye.
Dem.
[2005]

No Die, but an ace for him; for he is but one.

Lis.

Lesse then an ace man. For he is dead, he is no­

thing.

Du.

With the helpe of a Surgeon, he might yet reco­

uer, and proue an Asse.

Dut.
[2010]
How chance Moone‑shine is gone before? Thisby comes backe, and findes her Louer.
Enter Thisby. Duke. She wil finde him by starre‑light. Heere she comes, and her passion ends the play. Dut.

Me thinkes shee should not vse a long one for

[2015]

such a Piramus: I hope she will be breefe.

Dem.

A Moth wil turne the ballance, which Piramus

which Thisby is the better.

Lys.

She hath spyed him already, with those sweete

(eyes.

Dem.
[2020]

And thus she meanes, videlicit.

This. Asleepe my Loue? What, dead my Doue? O Piramus arise: Speake, Speake. Quite dumbe? Dead, dead? A tombe Must couer thy sweet eyes.
[2025]
These Lilly Lips, this cherry nose, These yellow Cowslip cheekes Are gone, are gone: Louers make mone: His eyes were greene as Leekes. O sisters three, come, come to mee,
[2030]
With hands as pale as Milke, Lay them in gore, since you haue shore With sheeres, his thred of silke. Tongue not a word: Come trusty sword: Come blade, my brest imbrue:
[2035]
And farwell friends, thus Thisbie ends; Adieu, adieu, adieu.
Duk.

Moone‑shine & Lion are left to burie the dead.

Deme.

I, and Wall too.

Bot.

No, I assure you, the wall is downe, that parted

[2040]

their Fathers. Will it please you to see the Epilogue, or

to heare a Bergomask dance, betweene two of our com­

pany?

Duk.

No Epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs

no excuse. Neuer excuse; for when the plaiers are all

[2045]

dead, there need none to be blamed. Marry, if hee that

writ it had plaid Piramus, and hung 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.

[2050]
The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelue. Louers to bed, 'tis almost Fairy time. I feare we shall out‑sleepe the comming morne, As much as we this night haue ouer‑watcht. This palpable grosse play hath well beguil'd
[2055]
The heauy gate of night. Sweet friends to bed. A fortnight hold we this solemnity. In nightly Reuels; and new iollitie.
Exeunt. Enter Pucke. Puck Now the hungry Lyons rores, And the Wolfe beholds the Moone:
[2060]
Whilest the heauy ploughman snores, All with weary taske fore‑done. Now the wasted brands doe glow, Whil'st the scritch‑owle, scritching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe,
[2065]
In remembrance of a shrowd. 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,
[2070]
And we Fairies, that do runne, By the triple Hecates teame, From the presence of the Sunne, Following darkenesse like a dreame, Now are frollicke; not a Mouse
[2075]
Shall disturbe this hallowed house. I am sent with broome before, To sweep the dust behinde the doore.
Enter King and Queene of Fairies, with their traine. Ob. Through the house giue glimmering light, By the dead and drowsie fier,
[2080]
Euerie Elfe and Fairie spright, Hop as light as bird from brier, And this Ditty after me, sing and dance it trippinglie.
Tita. First rehearse this song by roate, To each word a warbling note.
[2085]
Hand in hand, with Fairie grace, Will we sing and blesse this place. The Song. Now vntill the breake of day, Through this house each Fairy stray. To the best Bride‑bed will we,
[2090]
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:
[2095]
And the blots of Natures hand, Shall not in their issue stand. Neuer mole, harelip, nor scarre, Nor marke prodigious, such as are Despised in Natiuitie,
[2100]
Shall vpon their children be. With this field dew consecrate, Euery Fairy take his gate, And each seuerall chamber blesse, Through this Pallace with sweet peace,
[2105]
Euer shall in safety rest, And the owner of it blest. Trip away, make no stay; Meet me all by breake of day.
Robin. If we shadowes haue offended,
[2110]
Thinke but this (and all is mended) That you haue but slumbred heere, While these visions did appeare. And this weake and idle theame, No more yeelding but a dreame,
[2115]
Centles Gentles , doe not reprehend. If you pardon, we will mend. And as I am an honest Pucke, If we haue vnearned lucke, Now to scape the Serpents tongue,
[2120]
We will make amends ere long: Else the Pucke a lyar call. So good night vnto you all. Giue me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends.
 

Download the digital text of the play

                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1">
   <head rend="italic center">Actus Quintus.</head>
   <head type="supplied">[Act 5, Scene 1]</head>
   <stage rend="italic" type="entrance">Enter Theseus, Hippolita, Egeus and his Lords.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
      <l n="1717">'Tis strange my<hi rend="italic">Theseus</hi>, y<hi rend="superscript">t</hi>these louers speake of.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1718">More strange then true. I neuer may beleeue</l>
      <l n="1719">These anticke fables, nor these Fairy toyes,</l>
      <l n="1720">Louers and mad men haue such seething braines,</l>
      <l n="1721">Such shaping phantasies, that apprehend more</l>
      <l n="1722">Then coole reason euer comprehends.</l>
      <l n="1723">The Lunaticke, the Louer, and the Poet,</l>
      <l n="1724">Are of imagination all compact.</l>
      <l n="1725">One sees more diuels then vaste hell can hold<gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="2" unit="chars"/>hold.<note resp="#ES">Here a tear in the page partially obscures the final character of the line, and entirely obscures the final punctuation mark.</note>
      </l>
      <l n="1726">That is the mad man. The Louer, all as frantick<gap rend="repair" agent="patch" extent="2" unit="chars"/>franticke,<note resp="#ES">Here a paper patch obscures the end of the line</note>
      </l>
      <l n="1727">Sees<hi rend="italic">Helens</hi>beauty in a brow of<hi rend="italic">Egipt</hi>.</l>
      <l n="1728">The Poets eye in a fine frenzy rolling, doth glance</l>
      <l n="1729">From heauen to earth, from earth to heauen.</l>
      <l n="1730">And as imagination bodies forth the forms of things</l>
      <l n="1731">Vnknowne; the Poets pen turnes them to shapes,</l>
      <l n="1732">And giues to aire nothing, a locall habitation,</l>
      <l n="1733">And a name. Such tricks hath strong imagination,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1734">That if it would but apprehend some ioy,</l>
      <l n="1735">It comprehends some bringer of that ioy.</l>
      <l n="1736">Or in the night, imagining some feare,</l>
      <l n="1737">Howe easie is a bush suppos'd a Beare?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
      <l n="1738">But all the storie of the night told ouer,</l>
      <l n="1739">And all their minds transfigur'd so together,</l>
      <l n="1740">More witnesseth than fancies images,</l>
      <l n="1741">And growes to something of great constancie;</l>
      <l n="1742">But howsoeuer, strange, and admirable.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter louers, Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia,
      <lb/>and Helena.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1743">Heere come the louers, full of ioy and mirth:</l>
      <l n="1744">Ioy, gentle friends, ioy and fresh dayes</l>
      <l n="1745">Of loue accompany your hearts.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <l n="1746">More then to vs, waite in your royall walkes,
      <lb/>your boord, your bed.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1747">Come now, what maskes, what dances shall
      <lb/>we haue,</l>
      <l n="1748">To weare away this long age of three houres,</l>
      <l n="1749">Between our after supper, and bed‑time?</l>
      <l n="1750">Where is our vsuall manager of mirth?</l>
      <l n="1751">What Reuels are in hand? Is there no play,</l>
      <l n="1752">To ease the anguish of a torturing houre?</l>
      <l n="1753">Call<hi rend="italic">Egeus</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
      <l n="1754">Heere mighty<hi rend="italic">Theseus</hi>.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1755">Say, what abridgement haue you for this eue­
      <lb/>ning?</l>
      <l n="1756">What maske? What musicke? How shall we beguile</l>
      <l n="1757">The lazie time, if not with some delight?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
      <l n="1758">There is a breefe how many sports are rife:</l>
      <l n="1759">Make choise of which your Highnesse will see first.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lis.</speaker>
      <l n="1760">The battell with the Centaurs to be sung</l>
      <l n="1761">By an Athenian Eunuch, to the Harpe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1762">Wee'l none of that. That haue I told my Loue</l>
      <l n="1763">In glory of my kinsman Hercules.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lis.</speaker>
      <l n="1764">The riot of the tipsie Bachanals,</l>
      <l n="1765">Tearing the Thracian singer, in their rage<hi rend="italic">?</hi>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1766">That is an old deuice, and it was plaid</l>
      <l n="1767">When I from<hi rend="italic">Thebes</hi>came last a Conqueror.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lis.</speaker>
      <l n="1768">The thrice three Muses, mourning for the death
      <lb/>of learning, late deceast in beggerie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <l n="1769">That is some Satire keene and criticall,</l>
      <l n="1770">Not sorting with a nuptiall ceremonie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lis.</speaker>
      <l n="1771">A tedious breefe Scene of yong<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1772">And his loue<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>; very tragicall mirth.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">The.</speaker>
      <p n="1773">Merry and tragicall? Tedious, and briefe? That
      <lb n="1774"/>is, hot ice, and wondrous strange snow. How shall wee
      <lb n="1775"/>finde the concord of this discord?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
      <l n="1776">A play there is, my Lord, some ten words long,</l>
      <l n="1777">Which is as breefe, as I haue knowne a play;</l>
      <l n="1778">But by ten words, my Lord, it is too long;</l>
      <l n="1779">Which makes it tedious. For in all the play,</l>
      <l n="1780">There is not one word apt, one Player fitted.</l>
      <l n="1781">And tragicall my noble Lord it is: for<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="1782">Therein doth kill himselfe. Which when I saw</l>
      <l n="1783">Rehearst, I must confesse, made mine eyes water:</l>
      <l n="1784">But more merrie teares, the passion of loud laughter</l>
      <l n="1785">Neuer shed.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1786">What are they that do play it?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ege.</speaker>
      <l n="1787">Hard handed men, that worke in Athens heere,</l>
      <l n="1788">Which neuer labour'd in their mindes till now;</l>
      <l n="1789">And now haue toyled their vn<gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="16" unit="chars"/>
         <note resp="#ES">Here the corner of the page is torn away, obscuring the second part of the last three lines of the column.</note>
      </l>
      <l n="1790">With this same play, against<gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="12" unit="chars"/>
      </l>
      <l n="1791">
         <gap/>e will he<gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="6" unit="chars"/>
      </l>
   </sp>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0180-0.jpg" n="160"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-phi">
      <speaker rend="italic">Phi.</speaker>
      <l n="1792">No my noble Lord, it is not for you. I haue heard</l>
      <l n="1793">It ouer, and it is nothing, nothing in the world;</l>
      <l n="1794">Vnlesse you can finde sport in their intents,</l>
      <l n="1795">Extreamely stretcht, and cond with cruell paine,</l>
      <l n="1796">To doe you seruice.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1797">I will heare that play. For neuer any thing</l>
      <l n="1798">Can be amisse, when simplenesse and duty tender it.</l>
      <l n="1799">Goe bring them in, and take your places, Ladies.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
      <l n="1800">I loue not to see wretchednesse orecharged;</l>
      <l n="1801">And duty in his seruice perishing.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1802">Why gentle sweet, you shall see no such thing.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
      <l n="1803">He saies, they can doe nothing in this kinde.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1804">The kinder we, to giue them thanks for nothing</l>
      <l n="1805">Our sport shall be, to take what they mistake;</l>
      <l n="1806">And what poore duty cannot doe, noble respect</l>
      <l n="1807">Takes it in might, not merit.</l>
      <l n="1808">Where I haue come, great Clearkes haue purposed</l>
      <l n="1809">To greete me with premeditated welcomes;</l>
      <l n="1810">Where I haue seene them shiuer and looke pale,</l>
      <l n="1811">Make periods in the midst of sentences,</l>
      <l n="1812">Throttle their practiz'd accent in their feares,</l>
      <l n="1813">And in conclusion, dumbly haue broke off,</l>
      <l n="1814">Not paying me a welcome. Trust me sweete,</l>
      <l n="1815">Out of this silence yet, I pickt a welcome:</l>
      <l n="1816">And in the modesty of fearefull duty,</l>
      <l n="1817">I read as much, as from the ratling tongue</l>
      <l n="1818">Of saucy and audacious eloquence.</l>
      <l n="1819">Loue therefore, and tongue‑tide simplicity,</l>
      <l n="1820">In least, speake most, to my capacity.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-ege">
      <speaker rend="italic">Egeus.</speaker>
      <l n="1821">So please your Grace, the Prologue is addrest.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Duke.</speaker>
      <l n="1822">Let him approach.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">Flor. Trum.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter the Prologue.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="entrance">Quince.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-qui">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pro.</speaker>
      <l n="1823">If we offend, it is with our good will.</l>
      <l n="1824">That you should thinke, we come not to offend,</l>
      <l n="1825">But with good will. To shew our simple skill,</l>
      <l n="1826">That is the true beginning of our end.</l>
      <l n="1827">Consider then, we come but in despight.</l>
      <l n="1828">We do not come, as minding to content you,</l>
      <l n="1829">Our true intent is. All for your delight,</l>
      <l n="1830">We are not heere. That you should here repent you,</l>
      <l n="1831">The Actors are at hand; and by their show,</l>
      <l n="1832">You shall know all, that you are like to know.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1833">This fellow doth not stand vpon points.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <p n="1834">He hath rid his Prologue, like a rough Colt: he
      <lb n="1835"/>knowes not the stop. A good morall my Lord. It is not
      <lb n="1836"/>enough to speake, but to speake true.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Hip.</speaker>
      <p n="1837">Indeed hee hath plaid on his Prologue, like a
      <lb n="1838"/>childe on a Recorder, a sound, but not in gouernment.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <p n="1839">His speech was like a tangled chaine: nothing
      <lb n="1840"/>impaired, but all disordered. Who is next?</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="business">Tawyer with a Trumpet before them.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Pyramus and Thisby, Wall, Moone‑shine, and Lyon.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-qui">
      <speaker rend="italic">Prol.</speaker>
      <l n="1841">Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show,</l>
      <l n="1842">But wonder on, till truth make all things plaine.</l>
      <l n="1843">This man is<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>, if you would know;</l>
      <l n="1844">This beauteous Lady,<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>is certaine.</l>
      <l n="1845">This man, with lyme and rough‑cast, doth present</l>
      <l n="1846">Wall, that vile wall, which did these louers sunder:</l>
      <l n="1847">And through walls chink (poor soules) they are content</l>
      <l n="1848">To whisper. At the which, let no man wonder.</l>
      <l n="1849">This man, with Lanthorne, dog, and bush of thorne,</l>
      <l n="1850">
         <gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="2" unit="words"/>
         <note resp="#ES">Here the corner of the page is torn away, obscuring the first part of the last three lines of the column.</note>For if you will know,</l>
      <l n="1851">
         <gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="4" unit="words"/>Louers thinke no scorne</l>
      <l n="1852">
         <gap rend="damage" agent="tear" extent="6.4" unit="words"/>ere, there to wooe:</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="1853">This grizy beast (which Lyon hight by name)</l>
      <l n="1854">The trusty<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>, comming first by night,</l>
      <l n="1855">Did scarre away, or rather did affright:</l>
      <l n="1856">And as she fled, her mantle she did fall;</l>
      <l n="1857">Which Lyon vile with bloody mouth did staine.</l>
      <l n="1858">Anon comes<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>, sweet youth and tall,</l>
      <l n="1859">And findes his<hi rend="italic">Thisbies</hi>Mantle slaine;</l>
      <l n="1860">Whereat, with blade, with bloody blamefull blade,</l>
      <l n="1861">He brauely broacht his boiling bloudy breast,</l>
      <l n="1862">And<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>, tarrying in Mulberry shade,</l>
      <l n="1863">His dagger drew, and died. For all the rest,</l>
      <l n="1864">Let<hi rend="italic">Lyon, Moone‑shine, Wall</hi>, and Louers twaine,</l>
      <l n="1865">At large discourse, while here they doe remaine.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit all but Wall.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1866">I wonder if the Lion be to speake.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Deme.</speaker>
      <p n="1867">No wonder, my Lord: one Lion may, when
      <lb n="1868"/>many Asses doe.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Lyon, Thisbie, and Mooneshine.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-sno">
      <speaker rend="italic">Wall.</speaker>
      <l n="1869">In this same Interlude, it doth befall,</l>
      <l n="1870">That I, one<hi rend="italic">Snowt</hi>(by name) present a wall:</l>
      <l n="1871">And such a wall, as I vvould haue you thinke,</l>
      <l n="1872">That had in it a crannied hole or chinke:</l>
      <l n="1873">Through which the Louers,<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>and<hi rend="italic">Thisbie</hi>
      </l>
      <l n="1874">Did whisper often, very secretly.</l>
      <l n="1875">This loame, this rough‑cast, and this stone doth shew,</l>
      <l n="1876">That I am that same Wall; the truth is so.</l>
      <l n="1877">And this the cranny is, right and sinister,</l>
      <l n="1878">Through which the fearefull Louers are to whisper.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <p n="1879">Would you desire Lime and Haire to speake
      <lb n="1880"/>better?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Deme.</speaker>
      <p n="1881">It is the vvittiest partition, that euer I heard
      <lb n="1882"/>discourse, my Lord.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <l n="1883">
         <hi rend="italic">Pyramus</hi>drawes neere the Wall, silence.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Pyramus.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1884">O grim lookt night, ô night with hue so blacke,</l>
      <l n="1885">O night, which euer art, when day is not:</l>
      <l n="1886">O night, ô night, alacke, alacke, alacke,</l>
      <l n="1887">I feare my<hi rend="italic">Thisbies</hi>promise is forgot.</l>
      <l n="1888">And thou ô vvall, thou sweet and louely vvall,</l>
      <l n="1889">That stands between her fathers ground and mine,</l>
      <l n="1890">Thou vvall, ô vvall, ô sweet and louely vvall,</l>
      <l n="1891">Shew me thy chinke, to blinke through vvith mine eine.</l>
      <l n="1892">Thankes courteous vvall.<hi rend="italic">Ioue</hi>shield thee vvell for this.</l>
      <l n="1893">But vvhat see I? No<hi rend="italic">Thisbie</hi>doe I see.</l>
      <l n="1894">O vvicked vvall, through vvhom I see no blisse,</l>
      <l n="1895">Curst be thy stones for thus deceiuing mee.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Thes.</speaker>
      <p n="1896">The vvall me‑thinkes being sensible, should
      <lb n="1897"/>curse againe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1898">No in truth sir, he should not.<hi rend="italic">Deceiuing me</hi>,</l>
      <l n="1899">Is<hi rend="italic">Thisbies</hi>cue; she is to enter, and I am to spy</l>
      <l n="1900">Her through the vvall. You shall see it vvill fall.</l>
      <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Thisbie.</stage>
      <l n="1901">Pat as I told you; yonder she comes.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1902">O vvall, full often hast thou heard my mones,</l>
      <l n="1903">For parting my faire<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>, and me.<note resp="#PW">There is damage from here for five lines, although no text is rendered illegible due to it: a tear, repaired with a paper patch on the recto of this page.</note>
      </l>
      <l n="1904">My cherry lips haue often kist thy stones;</l>
      <l n="1905">Thy stones vvith Lime and Haire knit vp in thee.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pyra.</speaker>
      <l n="1906">I see a voyce; now vvill I to the chinke,</l>
      <l n="1907">To spy and I can heare my<hi rend="italic">Thisbies</hi>face.<hi rend="italic">Thisbie</hi>?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1908">My Loue thou art, my Loue I thinke.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1909">Thinke vvhat thou vvilt, I am thy Louers grace,</l>
      <l n="1910">And like<hi rend="italic">Limander</hi>am I trusty still.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1911">And like<hi rend="italic">Helen</hi>till the Fates me kill.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1912">Not<hi rend="italic">Shafalus</hi>to<hi rend="italic">Procrus</hi>, was so true.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1913">As<hi rend="italic">Shafalus</hi>to<hi rend="italic">Procrus</hi>, I to you.</l>
   </sp>
   <pb facs="FFimg:axc0181-0.jpg" n="163"/>
   <cb n="1"/>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1914">O kisse me through the hole of this vile wall.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1915">I kisse the wals hole, not your lips at all.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1916">Wilt thou at<hi rend="italic">Ninnies</hi>tombe meete me straight
      <lb/>way?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1917">Tide life, tide death, I come without delay.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-sno">
      <speaker rend="italic">Wall.</speaker>
      <l n="1918">Thus haue I<hi rend="italic">Wall</hi>, my part discharged so;</l>
      <l n="1919">And being done, thus<hi rend="italic">Wall</hi>away doth go.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Clow.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1920">Now is the morall downe betweene the two
      <lb n="1921"/>Neighbors.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="1922">No remedie my Lord, when Wals are so wil­
      <lb n="1923"/>full, to heare without vvarning.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <p n="1924">This is the silliest stuffe that ere I heard.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1925">The best in this kind are but shadowes, and the
      <lb n="1926"/>worst are no worse, if imagination amend them.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <p n="1927">It must be your imagination then, &amp; not theirs.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Duk.</speaker>
      <p n="1928">If wee imagine no worse of them then they of
      <lb n="1929"/>themselues, they may passe for excellent men. Here com
      <lb n="1930"/>two noble beasts, in a man and a Lion.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Lyon and Moone‑shine.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-snu">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lyon.</speaker>
      <l n="1931">You Ladies, you (whose gentle harts do feare</l>
      <l n="1932">The smallest monstrous mouse that creepes on floore)</l>
      <l n="1933">May now perchance, both quake and tremble heere,</l>
      <l n="1934">When Lion rough in wildest rage doth roare.</l>
      <l n="1935">Then know that I, one<hi rend="italic">Snug</hi>the Ioyner am</l>
      <l n="1936">A Lion fell, nor else no Lions dam:</l>
      <l n="1937">For if I should as Lion come in strife</l>
      <l n="1938">Into this place, 'twere pittie of my life.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1939">A verie gentle beast, and of good conscience.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="1940">The verie best at a beast, my Lord, y<hi rend="superscript">t</hi>ere I saw.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lis.</speaker>
      <p n="1941">This Lion is a verie Fox for his valor.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1942">True, and a Goose for his discretion.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="1943">Not so my Lord: for his valor cannot carrie
      <lb n="1944"/>his discretion, and the Fox carries the Goose.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1945">His discretion I am sure cannot carrie his valor:
      <lb n="1946"/>for the Goose carries not the Fox. It is well; leaue it to
      <lb n="1947"/>his discretion, and let vs hearken to the Moone.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-sta">
      <speaker rend="italic">Moone.</speaker>
      <l n="1948">This Lanthorne doth the horned Moone pre­
      <lb/>sent.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">De.</speaker>
      <p n="1949">He should haue worne the hornes on his head.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1950">Hee is no crescent, and his hornes are inuisible,
      <lb n="1951"/>within the circumference.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-sta">
      <speaker rend="italic">Moon.</speaker>
      <p n="1952">This lanthorne doth the horned Moone pre­
      <lb n="1953"/>sent: My selfe, the man i'th Moone doth seeme to be.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1954">This is the greatest error of all the rest; the man
      <lb n="1955"/>should be put into the Lanthorne. How is it els the man
      <lb n="1956"/>i'th Moone?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <l n="1957">He dares not come there for the candle.</l>
      <l n="1958">For you see, it is already in snuffe.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <p n="1959">I am vvearie of this Moone; vvould he would
      <lb n="1960"/>change.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1961">It appeares by his smal light of discretion, that
      <lb n="1962"/>he is in the wane: but yet in courtesie, in all reason, vve
      <lb n="1963"/>must stay the time.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <p n="1964">Proceed Moone.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-sta">
      <speaker rend="italic">Moon.</speaker>
      <p n="1965">All that I haue to say, is to tell you, that the
      <lb n="1966"/>Lanthorne is the Moone; I, the man in the Moone; this
      <lb n="1967"/>thorne bush, my thorne bush; and this dog, my dog.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="1968">Why all these should be in the Lanthorne: for
      <lb n="1969"/>they are in the Moone. But silence, heere comes<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Thisby.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="1970">This is old<hi rend="italic">Ninnies</hi>tombe: where is my loue?</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-snu">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lyon.</speaker>
      <l n="1971">Oh.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="business">The Lion roares, Thisby runs off.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="1972">Well roar'd Lion.</p>
   </sp>
   <cb n="2"/>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1973">Well run<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <l n="1974">Well shone Moone.</l>
      <l n="1975">Truly the Moone shines with a good grace.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="1976">Wel mouz'd Lion.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="1977">And then came<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <p n="1978">And so the Lion vanisht.</p>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Piramus.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pyr.</speaker>
      <l n="1979">Sweet Moone, I thank thee for thy sunny beames,</l>
      <l n="1980">I thanke thee Moone, for shining now so bright:</l>
      <l n="1981">For by thy gracious, golden, glittering beames,</l>
      <l n="1982">I trust to taste of truest<hi rend="italic">Thisbies</hi>sight.</l>
      <l n="1983">But stay: O spight! but marke, poore Knight,</l>
      <l n="1984">What dreadful dole is heere?</l>
      <l n="1985">Eyes do you see! How can it be!</l>
      <l n="1986">O dainty Ducke: O Deere!</l>
      <l n="1987">Thy mantle good; what staind with blood!</l>
      <l n="1988">Approch you Furies fell:</l>
      <l n="1989">O Fates! come, come: Cut thred and thrum,</l>
      <l n="1990">Quaile, crush, conclude, and quell.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <l n="1991">This passion, and the death of a deare friend,</l>
      <l n="1992">Would go neere to make a man looke sad.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <l n="1993">Beshrew my heart, but I pittie the man.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Pir.</speaker>
      <l n="1994">O wherefore Nature, did'st thou Lions frame?</l>
      <l n="1995">Since Lion vilde hath heere deflour'd my deere:</l>
      <l n="1996">Which is: no, no, which was the fairest Dame</l>
      <l n="1997">That liu'd, that lou'd, that lik'd, that look'd with cheere.</l>
      <l n="1998">Come teares, confound: Out sword, and wound</l>
      <l n="1999">The pap of<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>:</l>
      <l n="2000">I, that left pap, where heart doth hop;</l>
      <l n="2001">Thus dye I, thus, thus, thus.</l>
      <l n="2002">Now am I dead, now am I fled, my soule is in the sky,</l>
      <l n="2003">Tongue lose thy light, Moone take thy flight,</l>
      <l n="2004">Now dye, dye, dye, dye, dye.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="2005">No Die, but an ace for him; for he is but one.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lis.</speaker>
      <p n="2006">Lesse then an ace man. For he is dead, he is no­
      <lb n="2007"/>thing.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Du.</speaker>
      <p n="2008">With the helpe of a Surgeon, he might yet reco­
      <lb n="2009"/>uer, and proue an Asse.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <l n="2010">How chance Moone‑shine is gone before?</l>
      <l n="2011">
         <hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>comes backe, and findes her Louer.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Thisby.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Duke.</speaker>
      <l n="2012">She wil finde him by starre‑light.</l>
      <l n="2013">Heere she comes, and her passion ends the play.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-hip">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dut.</speaker>
      <p n="2014">Me thinkes shee should not vse a long one for
      <lb n="2015"/>such a<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>: I hope she will be breefe.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="2016">A Moth wil turne the ballance, which<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>
         
      <lb n="2017"/>which<hi rend="italic">Thisby</hi>is the better.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-lys">
      <speaker rend="italic">Lys.</speaker>
      <p n="2018">She hath spyed him already, with those sweete
      <lb rend="turnover" n="2019"/>
         <pc rend="turnover">(</pc>eyes.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Dem.</speaker>
      <p n="2020">And thus she meanes,<hi rend="italic">videlicit</hi>.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-flu">
      <speaker rend="italic">This.</speaker>
      <l n="2021">Asleepe my Loue? What, dead my Doue?</l>
      <l n="2022">O<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>arise:</l>
      <l n="2023">Speake, Speake. Quite dumbe? Dead, dead? A tombe</l>
      <l n="2024">Must couer thy sweet eyes.</l>
      <l n="2025">These Lilly Lips, this cherry nose,</l>
      <l n="2026">These yellow Cowslip cheekes</l>
      <l n="2027">Are gone, are gone: Louers make mone:</l>
      <l n="2028">His eyes were greene as Leekes.</l>
      <l n="2029">O sisters three, come, come to mee,</l>
      <l n="2030">With hands as pale as Milke,</l>
      <l n="2031">Lay them in gore, since you haue shore</l>
      <l n="2032">With sheeres, his thred of silke.</l>
      <l n="2033">Tongue not a word: Come trusty sword:</l>
      <l n="2034">Come blade, my brest imbrue:</l>
      <pb facs="FFimg:axc0182-0.jpg" n="162"/>
      <cb n="1"/>
      <l n="2035">And farwell friends, thus<hi rend="italic">Thisbie</hi>ends;</l>
      <l n="2036">Adieu, adieu, adieu.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Duk.</speaker>
      <p n="2037">Moone‑shine &amp; Lion are left to burie the dead.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-dem">
      <speaker rend="italic">Deme.</speaker>
      <p n="2038">I, and Wall too.</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-bot">
      <speaker rend="italic">Bot.</speaker>
      <p n="2039">No, I assure you, the wall is downe, that parted
      <lb n="2040"/>their Fathers. Will it please you to see the Epilogue, or
      <lb n="2041"/>to heare a Bergomask dance, betweene two of our com­
      <lb n="2042"/>pany?</p>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-duk">
      <speaker rend="italic">Duk.</speaker>
      <p n="2043">No Epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs
      <lb n="2044"/>no excuse. Neuer excuse; for when the plaiers are all
      <lb n="2045"/>dead, there need none to be blamed. Marry, if hee that
      <lb n="2046"/>writ it had plaid<hi rend="italic">Piramus</hi>, and hung himselfe in<hi rend="italic">Thisbies</hi>
         
      <lb n="2047"/>garter, it would haue beene a fine Tragedy: and so it is
      <lb n="2048"/>truely, and very notably discharg'd. But come, your
      <lb n="2049"/>Burgomaske; let your Epilogue alone.</p>
      <l n="2050">The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelue.</l>
      <l n="2051">Louers to bed, 'tis almost Fairy time.</l>
      <l n="2052">I feare we shall out‑sleepe the comming morne,</l>
      <l n="2053">As much as we this night haue ouer‑watcht.</l>
      <l n="2054">This palpable grosse play hath well beguil'd</l>
      <l n="2055">The heauy gate of night. Sweet friends to bed.</l>
      <l n="2056">A fortnight hold we this solemnity.</l>
      <l n="2057">In nightly Reuels; and new iollitie.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Pucke.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
      <speaker rend="italic">Puck</speaker>
      <l n="2058">Now the hungry Lyons rores,</l>
      <l n="2059">And the Wolfe beholds the Moone:</l>
      <l n="2060">Whilest the heauy ploughman snores,</l>
      <l n="2061">All with weary taske fore‑done.</l>
      <l n="2062">Now the wasted brands doe glow,</l>
      <l n="2063">Whil'st the scritch‑owle, scritching loud,</l>
      <l n="2064">Puts the wretch that lies in woe,</l>
      <l n="2065">In remembrance of a shrowd.</l>
      <l n="2066">Now it is the time of night,</l>
      <l n="2067">That the graues, all gaping wide,</l>
      <l n="2068">Euery one lets forth his spright,</l>
      <l n="2069">In the Church‑way paths to glide,</l>
      <l n="2070">And we Fairies, that do runne,</l>
      <l n="2071">By the triple<hi rend="italic">Hecates</hi>teame,</l>
      <l n="2072">From the presence of the Sunne,</l>
      <l n="2073">Following darkenesse like a dreame,</l>
      <l n="2074">Now are frollicke; not a Mouse</l>
      <l n="2075">Shall disturbe this hallowed house.</l>
      <l n="2076">I am sent with broome before,</l>
      <l n="2077">To sweep the dust behinde the doore.</l>
   </sp>
   <stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter King and Queene of Fairies, with their traine.</stage>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-obe">
      <speaker rend="italic">Ob.</speaker>
      <l n="2078">Through the house giue glimmering light,</l>
      <cb n="2"/>
      <l n="2079">By the dead and drowsie fier,</l>
      <l n="2080">Euerie Elfe and Fairie spright,</l>
      <l n="2081">Hop as light as bird from brier,</l>
      <l n="2082">And this Ditty after me, sing and dance it trippinglie.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-tit">
      <speaker rend="italic">Tita.</speaker>
      <l n="2083">First rehearse this song by roate,</l>
      <l n="2084">To each word a warbling note.</l>
      <l n="2085">Hand in hand, with Fairie grace,</l>
      <l n="2086">Will we sing and blesse this place.</l>
      <stage rend="italic center" type="business">The Song.</stage>
      <l rend="italic" n="2087">Now vntill the breake of day,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2088">Through this house each Fairy stray.</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2089">To the best Bride‑bed will we,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2090">Which by vs shall blessed be:</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2091">And the issue there create,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2092">Euer shall be fortunate:</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2093">So shall all the couples three,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2094">Euer true in louing be:</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2095">And the blots of Natures hand,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2096">Shall not in their issue stand.</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2097">Neuer mole, harelip, nor scarre,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2098">Nor marke prodigious, such as are</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2099">Despised in Natiuitie,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2100">Shall vpon their children be.</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2101">With this field dew consecrate,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2102">Euery Fairy take his gate,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2103">And each seuerall chamber blesse,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2104">Through this Pallace with sweet peace,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2105">Euer shall in safety rest,</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2106">And the owner of it blest.</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2107">Trip away, make no stay;</l>
      <l rend="italic" n="2108">Meet me all by breake of day.</l>
   </sp>
   <sp who="#F-mnd-puc">
      <speaker rend="italic">Robin.</speaker>
      <l n="2109">If we shadowes haue offended,</l>
      <l n="2110">Thinke but this (and all is mended)</l>
      <l n="2111">That you haue but slumbred heere,</l>
      <l n="2112">While these visions did appeare.</l>
      <l n="2113">And this weake and idle theame,</l>
      <l n="2114">No more yeelding but a dreame,</l>
      <l n="2115">
         <choice>
            <orig>Centles</orig>
            <corr>Gentles</corr>
         </choice>, doe not reprehend.</l>
      <l n="2116">If you pardon, we will mend.</l>
      <l n="2117">And as I am an honest<hi rend="italic">Pucke</hi>,</l>
      <l n="2118">If we haue vnearned lucke,</l>
      <l n="2119">Now to scape the Serpents tongue,</l>
      <l n="2120">We will make amends ere long:</l>
      <l n="2121">Else the<hi rend="italic">Pucke</hi>a lyar call.</l>
      <l n="2122">So good night vnto you all.</l>
      <l n="2123">Giue me your hands, if we be friends,</l>
      <l n="2124">And<hi rend="italic">Robin</hi>shall restore amends.</l>
   </sp>
</div>

                                
                            

Download the XML