Enter PUCK. | |
| Puck. Now the hungry lion roars, | |
| And the wolf behowls the moon; | |
| Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, | 4 |
| All with weary task fordone. | |
| Now the wasted brands do glow, | |
| Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud, | |
| Puts the wretch that lies in woe | 8 |
| In remembrance of a shroud. | |
| Now it is the time of night | |
| That the graves, all gaping wide, | |
| Every one lets forth his sprite, | 12 |
| In the church-way paths to glide: | |
| And we fairies, that do run | |
| By the triple Hecate’s team, | |
| From the presence of the sun, | 16 |
| Following darkness like a dream, | |
| Now are frolic; not a mouse | |
| Shall disturb this hallow’d house: | |
| I am sent with broom before, | 20 |
| To sweep the dust behind the door. | |
| |
Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with their Train | |
| Obe. Through the house give glimmering light | |
| By the dead and drowsy fire; | 24 |
| Every elf and fairy sprite | |
| Hop as light as bird from brier; | |
| And this ditty after me | |
| Sing and dance it trippingly. | 28 |
| Tita. First, rehearse your song by rote, | |
| To each word a warbling note: | |
| Hand in hand, with fairy grace, | |
| Will we sing, and bless this place. [Song and dance. | 32 |
| Obe. Now, until the break of day, | |
| Through this house each fairy stray. | |
| To the best bride-bed will we, | |
| Which by us shall blessed be; | 36 |
| And the issue there create | |
| Ever shall be fortunate. | |
| So shall all the couples three | |
| Ever true in loving be; | 40 |
| And the blots of Nature’s hand | |
| Shall not in their issue stand: | |
| Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar, | |
| Nor mark prodigious, such as are | 44 |
| Despised in nativity, | |
| Shall upon their children be. | |
| With this field-dew consecrate, | |
| Every fairy take his gait, | 48 |
| And each several chamber bless, | |
| Through this palace, with sweet peace; | |
| Ever shall in safety rest, | |
| And the owner of it blest. | 52 |
| Trip away; | |
| Make no stay; | |
| Meet me all by break of day. [Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and Train. | |
| Puck. If we shadows have offended, | 56 |
| Think but this, and all is mended, | |
| That you have but slumber’d here | |
| While these visions did appear. | |
| And this weak and idle theme, | 60 |
| No more yielding but a dream, | |
| Gentles, do not reprehend: | |
| If you pardon, we will mend. | |
| And, as I’m an honest Puck, | 64 |
| If we have unearned luck | |
| Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue, | |
| We will make amends ere long; | |
| Else the Puck a liar call: | 68 |
| So, good night unto you all. | |
| Give me your hands, if we be friends, | |
| And Robin shall restore amends. [Exit. | |