A Midsummer Night's Dream

HAHH!

COME ON, COME ON!

NOW, FAIR HIPPOLYTA, OUR NUPTIAL HOUR DRAWS ON APACE;

FOUR HAPPY DAYS BRING IN ANOTHER MOON.

BUT, AHH, METHINKS HOW SLOW THIS OLD MOON WANES!

SHE LINGERS MY DESIRES LIKE TO A STEP-DAME OR A DOWAGER

LONG WITHERING OUT A YOUNG MAN'S REVENUE.

FOUR DAYS,

WILL QUICKLY STEEP THEMSELVES IN NIGHT.

FOUR NIGHTS WILL QUICKLY DREAM AWAY THE TIME;

AND THEN THE MOON, LIKE TO A SILVER BOW NEW-BENT IN HEAVEN,

SHALL BEHOLD THE NIGHT

OF OUR SOLEMNITIES.

GO, TELL PHILOSTRATE TO STIR UP THE ATHENIAN YOUTH

TO MERRIMENTS, AWAKE THE PERT AND NIMBLE SPIRIT OF MIRTH.

TURN MELANCHOLY FORTH TO FUNERALS.

THE PALE COMPANION IS NOT FOR OUR POMP.

HIPPOLYTA.

I WOO'D THEE WITH MY SWORD

AND WON THY LOVE DOING THEE INJURIES.

BUT I WILL WED THEE IN ANOTHER KEY,

WITH POMP, WITH TRIUMPH AND WITH REVELING.

HAPPY BE THESEUS, OUR RENOWNED DUKE!

THANKS, GOOD EGEUS, WHAT'S THE NEWS WITH THEE?

FULL OF VEXATION COME I WITH COMPLAINT AGAINST MY CHILD,

MY DAUGHTER HERMIA. STAND FORTH, DEMETRIUS.

MY NOBLE LORD, THIS MAN HATH MY CONSENT TO MARRY HER.

STAND FORTH, LYSANDER AND MY GRACIOUS DUKE.

THIS MAN HATH BEWITCH'D THE BOSOM OF MY CHILD.

THOU, THOUGH, LYSANDER, THOU HAS GIVEN HER RHYMES,

AND INTERCHANGED LOVE-TOKENS WITH MY CHILD.

THOU HAS BY MOONLIGHT AT HER WINDOW SUNG,

WITH FEIGNING VOICE VERSES OF FEIGNING LOVE,

AND STOLEN THE IMPRESSION OF HER FANTASY WITH BRACELETS

OF THY HAIR, RINGS, GAWDS,

CONCEITS, KNACKS, TRIFLES, SWEETMEATS,

MESSENGERS OF STRONG PREVAILMENT IN UNHARDEN'D YOUTH.

WITH CUNNING HAST THOU FILCH'D MY DAUGHTER'S HEART,

TURNED HER OBEDIENCE WHICH IS DUE TO ME,

TO STUBBORN HARSHNESS.

AND MY GRACIOUS DUKE, BE IT SO SHE WILL NOT HERE

BEFORE YOUR GRACE CONSENT TO MARRY WITH DEMETRIUS.

I BEG THE ANCIENT PRIVILEGE OF ATHENS,

AS SHE IS MINE, I MAY DISPOSE OF HER.

WHICH SHALL BE EITHER TO THIS GENTLEMAN OR TO HER DEATH,

ACCORDING TO OUR LAW IMMEDIATELY PROVIDED IN THAT CASE.

WHAT SAY YOU, HERMIA?

BE ADVISED, FAIR MAID, TO YOU YOUR FATHER SHOULD BE AS A GOD,

ONE THAT COMPOSED YOUR BEAUTY, YEAH,

AND ONE TO WHOM YOU ARE BUT AS A FORM IN WAX BY HIM IMPRINTED

AND WITHIN HIS POWER TO LEAVE THE FIGURE OR DISFIGURE IT.

DEMETRIUS IS A WORTHY GENTLEMAN.

OH SO IS LYSANDER.

IN HIMSELF HE IS.

BUT IN THIS KIND, WANTING YOUR FATHER'S VOICE,

THE OTHER MUST BE HELD THE WORTHIER.

I WOULD MY FATHER LOOKED BUT WITH MY EYES.

RATHER YOUR EYES MUST WITH HIS JUDGMENT LOOK.

I DO ENTREAT YOUR GRACE TO PARDON ME.

I KNOW NOT BY WHAT POWER I AM MADE BOLD,

NOR HOW IT MAY CONCERN MY MODESTY IN SUCH A PRESENCE HERE

TO PLEAD MY THOUGHTS.

BUT I BESEECH YOUR GRACE THAT I MAY KNOW THE WORST THAT MAY

BEFALL ME IN THIS CASE, IF I REFUSE TO WED DEMETRIUS.

EITHER TO DIE THE DEATH

OR TO ABJURE FOREVER THE SOCIETY OF MEN.

THEREFORE, FAIR HERMIA, QUESTION YOUR DESIRES,

KNOW OF YOUR YOUTH, EXAMINE WELL YOUR BLOOD,

WHETHER IF YOU YIELD NOT TO YOUR FATHER'S CHOICE

YOU CAN ENDURE THE LIVERY OF A NUN.

FOR AYE TO BE IN SHADY CLOISTER MEW'D,

TO LIVE A BARREN SISTER ALL YOUR LIFE,

CHANTING FAINT HYMNS TO A COLD FRUITLESS MOON.

THRICE-BLESSED THEY THAT MASTER SO THEIR BLOOD,

TO UNDERGO SUCH MAIDEN PILGRIMAGE.

BUT EARTHLIER HAPPY IS THE ROSE DISTILLED,

THAN THAT WHICH WITHERING ON A VIRGIN THORN GROWS,

LIVES AND DIES IN SINGLE BLESSEDNESS.

SO WILL I GROW, SO LIVE, SO DIE, MY LORD.

ERE I WILL YIELD MY VIRGIN PATENT UP UNTO HIS LORDSHIP

WHOSE UNWISHED YOKE MY SOUL

CONSENTS NOT TO GIVE SOVEREIGNTY.

TAKE TIME TO PAUSE.

AND BY THE NEXT NEW MOON, THE SEALING DAY BETWIXT MY LOVE

AND ME FOR EVERLASTING BOND OF FELLOWSHIP,

UPON THAT DAY EITHER PREPARE TO DIE FOR DISOBEDIENCE

TO YOUR FATHER'S WILL OR ELSE TO WED DEMETRIUS AS HE WOULD

OR ON DIANA'S ALTAR TO PROTEST

FOR AYE AUSTERITY AND SINGLE LIFE.

RELENT, SWEET HERMIA,

AND LYSANDER YIELD THY CRAZED TITLE TO MY CERTAIN RIGHT.

BUT YOU HAVE HER FATHER'S LOVE, DEMETRIUS.

LET ME HAVE HERMIA'S, DO YOU MARRY HIM.

SCORNFUL LYSANDER! TRUE, HE HATH MY LOVE.

AND WHAT IS MINE MY LOVE SHALL RENDER HIM.

AND SHE IS MINE, AND ALL MY RIGHT OF HER

I DO ESTATE UNTO DEMETRIUS.

I AM, MY LORD, AS WELL DERIVED AS HE,

AS WELL POSSESSED. MY LOVE IS MORE THAN HIS.

MY FORTUNES EVERY WAY AS FAIRLY RANKED

IF NOT WITH VANTAGE AS DEMETRIUS.

AND, WHICH IS MORE THAN ALL THESE BOASTS CAN BE,

I AM BELOVED OF BEAUTEOUS HERMIA.

WHY SHOULD NOT I THEN PROSECUTE MY RIGHT?

AND DEMETRIUS, I'LL AVOUCH IT TO HIS HEAD,

MADE LOVE TO NEDAR'S DAUGHTER, HELENA, AND...

OH SHE... WON HER SOUL.

AND SHE, SWEET LADY, DOTES, DEVOUTLY DOTES,

DOTES IN IDOLATRY, UPON THIS SPOTTED AND INCONSTANT MAN.

I MUST CONFESS THAT I HAVE HEARD AS MUCH.

AND WITH DEMETRIUS THOUGHT TO HAVE SPOKE THEREOF BUT

BEING OVER-FULL OF SELF-AFFAIRS MY MIND DID LOSE IT.

BUT, DEMETRIUS, COME. AND COME EGEUS.

YOU SHALL GO WITH ME.

I HAVE SOME PRIVATE SCHOOLING FOR YOU BOTH.

FOR YOU, FAIR HERMIA,

LOOK YOU ARM YOURSELF TO FIT YOUR FANCIES

TO YOUR FATHER'S WILL OR ELSE THE LAW OF ATHENS YIELDS YOU UP,

WHICH BY NO MEANS WE MAY EXTENUATE.

TO DEATH, OR TO A VOW OF SINGLE LIFE.

COME MY HIPPOLYTA.

OH WHAT CHEER, MY LOVE?

DEMETRIUS AND EGEUS, GO ALONG.

I MUST EMPLOY YOU IN SOME BUSINESS AGAINST OUR NUPTIAL

AND CONFER WITH YOU OF SOMETHING NEARLY THAT CONCERNS YOURSELVES.

WITH DUTY AND DESIRE, WE FOLLOW YOU.

AUGH HOW NOW, MY LOVE?

WHY IS YOUR CHEEK SO PALE?

HOW CHANCE THE ROSES THERE DO FADE SO FAST?

OH, BELIKE FOR WANT OF RAIN,

WHICH I COULD WELL BETEEM THEM FROM THE TEMPEST OF MY EYES.

AY ME!

FOR AUGHT THAT I COULD EVER READ,

COULD EVER HEAR BY TALE OR HISTORY,

THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH.

BUT EITHER IT WAS DIFFERENT IN BLOOD...

OH CROSS! TOO HIGH TO BE ENTHRALLED TO LOW.

OR ELSE MISGRAFFED IN RESPECT OF YEARS.

OH SPITE! TOO OLD TO BE ENGAGED TO YOUNG.

OR ELSE IT STOOD UPON THE CHOICE OF FRIENDS.

OH HELL TO CHOOSE LOVE BY ANOTHER'S EYES.

OR IF THERE WERE A SYMPATHY IN CHOICE.

WAR, DEATH OR SICKNESS DID LAY SIEGE TO IT MAKING IT MOMENTARY

AS A SOUND,

AND SWIFT AS A SHADOW,

AND SHORT AS ANY DREAM.

BRIEF AS THE LIGHTNING IN THE COLLIED NIGHT THAT,

IN A SPLEEN, UNFOLDS BOTH HEAVEN AND EARTH.

AND ERE A MAN HATH POWER TO SAY,

"BEHOLD THE JAWS OF DARKNESS DO DEVOUR IT UP."

SO QUICK BRIGHT THINGS COME TO CONFUSION.

YES, IF THEN TRUE LOVERS HAVE BEEN EVER CROSSED,

IT STANDS AS AN EDICT IN DESTINY.

THEN... THEN LET US TEACH OUR TRIAL PATIENCE BECAUSE IT IS

A CUSTOMARY CROSS, AS DUE TO LOVE AS THOUGHTS AND DREAMS

AND SIGHS, WISHES AND TEARS,

POOR FANCY'S FOLLOWERS.

AHH, A GOOD PERSUASION.

THEREFORE, HEAR ME HERMIA.

I HAVE A WIDOWED AUNT, A DOWAGER OF GREAT REVENUE

AND SHE HATH NO CHILD.

AND FROM ATHENS IS HER HOUSE REMOTE SEVEN LEAGUES.

AND SHE RESPECTS ME AS HER ONLY SON.

THERE, GENTLE HERMIA, MAY I MARRY THEE

AND TO THAT PLACE THE SHARP ATHENIAN LAW CANNOT PURSUE US.

IF THOU LOVEST ME,

THEN STEAL FORTH THY FATHER'S HOUSE TOMORROW NIGHT

AND IN THE WOOD A LEAGUE WITHOUT THE TOWN,

THERE WILL I STAY FOR THEE.

MY GOOD LYSANDER, I SWEAR TO THEE BY CUPID'S STRONGEST BOW,

BY HIS BEST ARROW WITH THE GOLDEN HEAD,

BY THE SIMPLICITY OF VENUS' DOVES,

BY THAT WHICH KNITTETH SOULS AND PROSPERS LOVES,

AND BY THAT FIRE WHICH BURNT THE CARTHAGE QUEEN

WHEN THE FALSE TROYAN UNDER SAIL WAS SEEN,

BY ALL THE VOWS THAT EVER MEN HAVE BROKE,

IN NUMBER MORE THAN EVER WOMEN SPOKE,

IN THAT SAME PLACE THOU HAST APPOINTED ME.

TOMORROW TRULY WILL I MEET WITH THEE.

AUGH! KEEP PROMISE, LOVE.

OH, LOOK HERE COMES HELENA. OH GOD SPEED, FAIR HELENA!

WAIT, WITHER AWAY? CALL YOU ME FAIR?

THAT FAIR AGAIN UNSAY.

DEMETRIUS LOVES YOUR FAIR.

OH, HAPPY FAIR.

YOUR EYES ARE LODE-STARS

AND YOUR TONGUE'S SWEET AIR MORE TUNABLE

THAN LARK TO SHEPHERD'S EAR WHEN WHEAT IS GREEN,

WHEN HAWTHORN BUDS APPEAR.

SICKNESS IS CATCHING.

0 WERE FAVOR SO, YOURS WOULD I CATCH FAIR HERMIA, ERE I GO.

MY EAR SHOULD CATCH YOUR VOICE, MY EYE YOUR EYE,

MY TONGUE SHOULD CATCH YOUR TONGUE'S SWEET MELODY.

WERE THE WORLD MIND, DEMETRIUS BEING BATED,

THE... THE REST I'D GIVE TO BE TO YOU TRANSLATED.

OH TEACH ME HOW YOU LOOK, AND WITH WHAT ART

YOU SWAY THE MOTION OF DEMETRIUS' HEART.

I FROWN UPON HIM, YET HE LOVES ME STILL.

OH THAT YOUR FROWNS COULD TEACH MY SMILES SUCH SKILL.

I GIVE HIM CURSES, YET HE GIVES ME LOVE.