Reading Help A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
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THISBY. This is old Ninny's tomb. Where is my love? `
` LION. [Roaring] O- [THISBY runs off] `
` DEMETRIUS. Well roar'd, Lion. `
` THESEUS. Well run, Thisby. `
` HIPPOLYTA. Well shone, Moon. Truly, the moon shines with a good `
` grace. [The LION tears THISBY'S Mantle, and exit] `
` THESEUS. Well mous'd, Lion. `
` `
` Re-enter PYRAMUS `
` `
` DEMETRIUS. And then came Pyramus. `
` LYSANDER. And so the lion vanish'd. `
` PYRAMUS. Sweet Moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams; `
` I thank thee, Moon, for shining now so bright; `
` For, by thy gracious golden, glittering gleams, `
` I trust to take of truest Thisby sight. `
` But stay, O spite! `
` But mark, poor knight, `
` What dreadful dole is here! `
` Eyes, do you see? `
` How can it he? `
` O dainty duck! O dear! `
` Thy mantle good, `
` What! stain'd with blood? `
` Approach, ye Furies fell. `
` O Fates! come, come; `
` Cut thread and thrum; `
` Quail, crush, conclude, and quell. `
` THESEUS. This passion, and the death of a dear friend, would go `
` near to make a man look sad. `
` HIPPOLYTA. Beshrew my heart, but I pity the man. `
` PYRAMUS. O wherefore, Nature, didst thou lions frame? `
` Since lion vile hath here deflower'd my dear; `
` Which is- no, no- which was the fairest dame `
` That liv'd, that lov'd, that lik'd, that look'd with cheer. `
` Come, tears, confound; `
` Out, sword, and wound `
` The pap of Pyramus; `
` Ay, that left pap, `
` Where heart doth hop. [Stabs himself] `
` Thus die I, thus, thus, thus. `
` Now am I dead, `
` Now am I fled; `
` My soul is in the sky. `
` Tongue, lose thy light; `
` Moon, take thy flight. [Exit MOONSHINE] `
` Now die, die, die, die, die. [Dies] `
` DEMETRIUS. No die, but an ace, for him; for he is but one. `
` LYSANDER. Less than an ace, man; for he is dead; he is nothing. `
` THESEUS. With the help of a surgeon he might yet recover and `
` yet `
` prove an ass. `
` HIPPOLYTA. How chance Moonshine is gone before Thisby comes `
` back `
` and finds her lover? `
` `
` Re-enter THISBY `
` `
` THESEUS. She will find him by starlight. Here she comes; and `
` her `
` passion ends the play. `
` HIPPOLYTA. Methinks she should not use a long one for such a `
` Pyramus; I hope she will be brief. `
` DEMETRIUS. A mote will turn the balance, which Pyramus, which `
` Thisby, is the better- he for a man, God warrant us: She for `
` a `
` woman, God bless us! `
` LYSANDER. She hath spied him already with those sweet eyes. `
` DEMETRIUS. And thus she moans, videlicet:- `
` THISBY. Asleep, my love? `
` What, dead, my dove? `
` O Pyramus, arise, `
` Speak, speak. Quite dumb? `
` Dead, dead? A tomb `
` Must cover thy sweet eyes. `
` These lily lips, `
` This cherry nose, `
` These yellow cowslip cheeks, `
` Are gone, are gone; `
` Lovers, make moan; `
` His eyes were green as leeks. `
` O Sisters Three, `
` Come, come to me, `
` With hands as pale as milk; `
` Lay them in gore, `
` Since you have shore `
` With shears his thread of silk. `
` Tongue, not a word. `
` Come, trusty sword; `
` Come, blade, my breast imbrue. [Stabs herself] `
` And farewell, friends; `
` Thus Thisby ends; `
` Adieu, adieu, adieu. [Dies] `
` THESEUS. Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead. `
` DEMETRIUS. Ay, and Wall too. `
` BOTTOM. [Starting up] No, I assure you; the wall is down that `
` parted their fathers. Will it please you to see the Epilogue, `
` or `
` to hear a Bergomask dance between two of our company? `
` THESEUS. No epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no `
` excuse. `
` Never excuse; for when the players are all dead there need `
` none `
` to be blamed. Marry, if he that writ it had played Pyramus, `
` and `
` hang'd himself in Thisby's garter, it would have been a fine `
` tragedy. And so it is, truly; and very notably discharg'd. `
` But `
` come, your Bergomask; let your epilogue alone. [A dance] `
` The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. `
` Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time. `
` I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn, `
` As much as we this night have overwatch'd. `
` This palpable-gross play hath well beguil'd `
` The heavy gait of night. Sweet friends, to bed. `
` A fortnight hold we this solemnity, `
` In nightly revels and new jollity. Exeunt `
` `
` Enter PUCK with a broom `
` `
` PUCK. Now the hungry lion roars, `
` And the wolf behowls the moon; `
` Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, `
` All with weary task fordone. `
` Now the wasted brands do glow, `
` Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud, `
` Puts the wretch that lies in woe `
` In remembrance of a shroud. `
` Now it is the time of night `
` That the graves, all gaping wide, `
` Every one lets forth his sprite, `
` 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, `
` Following darkness like a dream, `
` Now are frolic. Not a mouse `
` Shall disturb this hallowed house. `
` I am sent with broom before, `
` To sweep the dust behind the door. `
` `
` Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with all their train `
` `
` OBERON. Through the house give glimmering light, `
` By the dead and drowsy fire; `
` Every elf and fairy sprite `
` Hop as light as bird from brier; `
` And this ditty, after me, `
` Sing and dance it trippingly. `
` TITANIA. 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. `
` `
` [OBERON leading, the FAIRIES sing and dance] `
` `
` OBERON. 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; `
` And the issue there create `
` Ever shall be fortunate. `
` So shall all the couples three `
` Ever true in loving be; `
` 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 `
` Despised in nativity, `
` Shall upon their children be. `
` With this field-dew consecrate, `
` Every fairy take his gait, `
` And each several chamber bless, `
` Through this palace, with sweet peace; `
` And the owner of it blest `
` Ever shall in safety rest. `
` Trip away; make no stay; `
` Meet me all by break of day. Exeunt all but PUCK `
` PUCK. If we shadows have offended, `
` Think but this, and all is mended, `
` That you have but slumb'red here `
` While these visions did appear. `
` And this weak and idle theme, `
` No more yielding but a dream, `
` Gentles, do not reprehend. `
` If you pardon, we will mend. `
` And, as I am an honest Puck, `
` If we have unearned luck `
` Now to scape the serpent's tongue, `
` We will make amends ere long; `
` Else the Puck a liar call. `
` So, good night unto you all. `
` Give me your hands, if we be friends, `
` And Robin shall restore amends. Exit `
` `
` THE END `
` `
` `
` `
`
` LION. [Roaring] O- [THISBY runs off] `
` DEMETRIUS. Well roar'd, Lion. `
` THESEUS. Well run, Thisby. `
` HIPPOLYTA. Well shone, Moon. Truly, the moon shines with a good `
` grace. [The LION tears THISBY'S Mantle, and exit] `
` THESEUS. Well mous'd, Lion. `
` `
` Re-enter PYRAMUS `
` `
` DEMETRIUS. And then came Pyramus. `
` LYSANDER. And so the lion vanish'd. `
` PYRAMUS. Sweet Moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams; `
` I thank thee, Moon, for shining now so bright; `
` For, by thy gracious golden, glittering gleams, `
` I trust to take of truest Thisby sight. `
` But stay, O spite! `
` But mark, poor knight, `
` What dreadful dole is here! `
` Eyes, do you see? `
` How can it he? `
` O dainty duck! O dear! `
` Thy mantle good, `
` What! stain'd with blood? `
` Approach, ye Furies fell. `
` O Fates! come, come; `
` Cut thread and thrum; `
` Quail, crush, conclude, and quell. `
` THESEUS. This passion, and the death of a dear friend, would go `
` near to make a man look sad. `
` HIPPOLYTA. Beshrew my heart, but I pity the man. `
` PYRAMUS. O wherefore, Nature, didst thou lions frame? `
` Since lion vile hath here deflower'd my dear; `
` Which is- no, no- which was the fairest dame `
` That liv'd, that lov'd, that lik'd, that look'd with cheer. `
` Come, tears, confound; `
` Out, sword, and wound `
` The pap of Pyramus; `
` Ay, that left pap, `
` Where heart doth hop. [Stabs himself] `
` Thus die I, thus, thus, thus. `
` Now am I dead, `
` Now am I fled; `
` My soul is in the sky. `
` Tongue, lose thy light; `
` Moon, take thy flight. [Exit MOONSHINE] `
` Now die, die, die, die, die. [Dies] `
` DEMETRIUS. No die, but an ace, for him; for he is but one. `
` LYSANDER. Less than an ace, man; for he is dead; he is nothing. `
` THESEUS. With the help of a surgeon he might yet recover and `
` yet `
` prove an ass. `
` HIPPOLYTA. How chance Moonshine is gone before Thisby comes `
` back `
` and finds her lover? `
` `
` Re-enter THISBY `
` `
` THESEUS. She will find him by starlight. Here she comes; and `
` her `
` passion ends the play. `
` HIPPOLYTA. Methinks she should not use a long one for such a `
` Pyramus; I hope she will be brief. `
` DEMETRIUS. A mote will turn the balance, which Pyramus, which `
` Thisby, is the better- he for a man, God warrant us: She for `
` a `
` woman, God bless us! `
` LYSANDER. She hath spied him already with those sweet eyes. `
` DEMETRIUS. And thus she moans, videlicet:- `
` THISBY. Asleep, my love? `
` What, dead, my dove? `
` O Pyramus, arise, `
` Speak, speak. Quite dumb? `
` Dead, dead? A tomb `
` Must cover thy sweet eyes. `
` These lily lips, `
` This cherry nose, `
` These yellow cowslip cheeks, `
` Are gone, are gone; `
` Lovers, make moan; `
` His eyes were green as leeks. `
` O Sisters Three, `
` Come, come to me, `
` With hands as pale as milk; `
` Lay them in gore, `
` Since you have shore `
` With shears his thread of silk. `
` Tongue, not a word. `
` Come, trusty sword; `
` Come, blade, my breast imbrue. [Stabs herself] `
` And farewell, friends; `
` Thus Thisby ends; `
` Adieu, adieu, adieu. [Dies] `
` THESEUS. Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead. `
` DEMETRIUS. Ay, and Wall too. `
` BOTTOM. [Starting up] No, I assure you; the wall is down that `
` parted their fathers. Will it please you to see the Epilogue, `
` or `
` to hear a Bergomask dance between two of our company? `
` THESEUS. No epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no `
` excuse. `
` Never excuse; for when the players are all dead there need `
` none `
` to be blamed. Marry, if he that writ it had played Pyramus, `
` and `
` hang'd himself in Thisby's garter, it would have been a fine `
` tragedy. And so it is, truly; and very notably discharg'd. `
` But `
` come, your Bergomask; let your epilogue alone. [A dance] `
` The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. `
` Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time. `
` I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn, `
` As much as we this night have overwatch'd. `
` This palpable-gross play hath well beguil'd `
` The heavy gait of night. Sweet friends, to bed. `
` A fortnight hold we this solemnity, `
` In nightly revels and new jollity. Exeunt `
` `
` Enter PUCK with a broom `
` `
` PUCK. Now the hungry lion roars, `
` And the wolf behowls the moon; `
` Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, `
` All with weary task fordone. `
` Now the wasted brands do glow, `
` Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud, `
` Puts the wretch that lies in woe `
` In remembrance of a shroud. `
` Now it is the time of night `
` That the graves, all gaping wide, `
` Every one lets forth his sprite, `
` 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, `
` Following darkness like a dream, `
` Now are frolic. Not a mouse `
` Shall disturb this hallowed house. `
` I am sent with broom before, `
` To sweep the dust behind the door. `
` `
` Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with all their train `
` `
` OBERON. Through the house give glimmering light, `
` By the dead and drowsy fire; `
` Every elf and fairy sprite `
` Hop as light as bird from brier; `
` And this ditty, after me, `
` Sing and dance it trippingly. `
` TITANIA. 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. `
` `
` [OBERON leading, the FAIRIES sing and dance] `
` `
` OBERON. 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; `
` And the issue there create `
` Ever shall be fortunate. `
` So shall all the couples three `
` Ever true in loving be; `
` 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 `
` Despised in nativity, `
` Shall upon their children be. `
` With this field-dew consecrate, `
` Every fairy take his gait, `
` And each several chamber bless, `
` Through this palace, with sweet peace; `
` And the owner of it blest `
` Ever shall in safety rest. `
` Trip away; make no stay; `
` Meet me all by break of day. Exeunt all but PUCK `
` PUCK. If we shadows have offended, `
` Think but this, and all is mended, `
` That you have but slumb'red here `
` While these visions did appear. `
` And this weak and idle theme, `
` No more yielding but a dream, `
` Gentles, do not reprehend. `
` If you pardon, we will mend. `
` And, as I am an honest Puck, `
` If we have unearned luck `
` Now to scape the serpent's tongue, `
` We will make amends ere long; `
` Else the Puck a liar call. `
` So, good night unto you all. `
` Give me your hands, if we be friends, `
` And Robin shall restore amends. Exit `
` `
` THE END `
` `
` `
` `
`