MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DRE A M. ACT I. SCENE I. The Palace of Thefeus in Athens. Enter Thefeus, Hippolita, Philoftrate, with attendants. The. Now, fair Hippolita, our nuptial hour Draws on apace; four happy days bring in Another moon: but, oh, methinks, how flow This old moon wanes! fhe lingers my defires, Like to a step-dame, or a dowager, Long 'withering out a young man's revenue. Hip. Four days will quickly fteep themselves in nights; Four nights will quickly dream away the time And then the moon, like to a filver bow New bent in heaven, fhall behold the night Of our folemnities. The. Go, Philoftrate, Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments; lingers]-protracts. withering out-impairing, bringing to decay. B 2 Awake с Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth; [Exit Phil. That pale companion is not for our pomp. Enter Egeus, Hermia, Lyfander, and Demetrius. d Stand forth, Lyfander;-and, my gracious duke, With bracelets of thy hair, rings, gawds, conceits, the impreffion of her fantafy]—inclinations, affection. Which shall be either to this gentleman, The. What fay you, Hermia? be advis'd, fair maid: To you your father should be as a god; One that compos'd your beauties; yea, and one By him imprinted, and within his power The. In himself he is: But, in this kind, wanting your father's voice, Her. I would, my father look'd but with my eyes. I know not by what power I am made bold; In fuch a prefence here, to plead my thoughts: The. Either to die the death, or to abjure Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires, For aye to be in fhady cloifter mew'd, Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Know of]-confider, fcrutinize, bring it to the test. Thrice bleffed they, that mafter fo their blood, h But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd, Than that, which, withering on the virgin-thorn, Her. So will I grow, fo live, so die, my lord, Unto his lordship, to whose unwifh'd yoke My foul confents not to give fovereignty. The. Take time to paufe: and, by the next new moon, (The fealing-day betwixt my love and me, For everlasting bond of fellowship) Upon that day either prepare to die, Or elfe to wed Demetrius, as he would; For aye, aufterity and fingle life. Dem. Relent, fweet Hermia ;-And, Lyfander, yield Thy crazed title to my certain right. Lys. You have her father's love, Demetrius Let me have Hermia's: do you marry him. ; Ege. Scornful Lyfander! true, he hath my love; I do'eftate unto Demetrius. Lys. I am, my lord, as well deriv'd as he, As well poffefs'd; my love is more than his; My fortunes every way as fairly rank’d, If not with vantage, as Demetrius'; And, which is more than all these boafts can be, I am belov'd of beauteous Hermia: hearthlier happy]-more happy as to this world-earthly happier; earlier happy. crazed-feeble, infirm. Why should not I then profecute my right? Upon this spotted and inconftant man. The. I must confefs, that I have heard fo much, My mind did lose it. But, Demetrius, come; I must employ you in fome business [Exeunt Thef. Hip. Egeus, Dem. and train. Lyf. How now, my love? Why is your cheek fo pale? How chance the roses there do fade fo faft? Her. Belike, for want of rain; which I could well Beteem them from the tempeft of mine eyes. Lyf. Ah me! for aught that I could ever read, Could ever hear by tale or history, The course of true love never did run fmooth. But, either it was different in blood; Beteem them]-discharge, pour down upon them. |