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Act 5, Scene 2

  1. [Enter PUCK.]
  2. Puck
  3. 2038 Now the hungry lion roars,
  4. 2039 And the wolf behowls the moon;
  5. 2040 Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,
  6. 2041 All with weary task fordone.
  7. 2042 Now the wasted brands do glow,
  8. 2043 Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud,
  9. 2044 Puts the wretch that lies in woe
  10. 2045 In remembrance of a shroud.
  11. 2046 Now it is the time of night
  12. 2047 That the graves, all gaping wide,
  13. 2048 Every one lets forth its sprite,
  14. 2049 In the church-way paths to glide:
  15. 2050 And we fairies, that do run
  16. 2051 By the triple Hecate's team
  17. 2052 From the presence of the sun,
  18. 2053 Following darkness like a dream,
  19. 2054 Now are frolic; not a mouse
  20. 2055 Shall disturb this hallow'd house:
  21. 2056 I am sent with broom before,
  22. 2057 To sweep the dust behind the door.
  23. [Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with their Train.]
  24. Oberon
  25. 2058 Through the house give glimmering light,
  26. 2059 By the dead and drowsy fire:
  27. 2060 Every elf and fairy sprite
  28. 2061 Hop as light as bird from brier:
  29. 2062 And this ditty, after me,
  30. 2063 Sing and dance it trippingly.
  31. Titania
  32. 2064 First, rehearse your song by rote,
  33. 2065 To each word a warbling note;
  34. 2066 Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
  35. 2067 Will we sing, and bless this place.
  36. [Song and Dance.]
  37. Oberon
  38. 2068 Now, until the break of day,
  39. 2069 Through this house each fairy stray,
  40. 2070 To the best bride-bed will we,
  41. 2071 Which by us shall blessed be;
  42. 2072 And the issue there create
  43. 2073 Ever shall be fortunate.
  44. 2074 So shall all the couples three
  45. 2075 Ever true in loving be;
  46. 2076 And the blots of Nature's hand
  47. 2077 Shall not in their issue stand:
  48. 2078 Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar,
  49. 2079 Nor mark prodigious, such as are
  50. 2080 Despised in nativity,
  51. 2081 Shall upon their children be.—
  52. 2082 With this field-dew consecrate,
  53. 2083 Every fairy take his gate;
  54. 2084 And each several chamber bless,
  55. 2085 Through this palace, with sweet peace;
  56. 2086 E'er shall it in safety rest,
  57. 2087 And the owner of it blest.
  58. 2088 Trip away:
  59. 2089 Make no stay:
  60. 2090 Meet me all by break of day.
  61. [Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and Train.]
  62. Puck
  63. 2091 If we shadows have offended,
  64. 2092 Think but this,—and all is mended,—
  65. 2093 That you have but slumber'd here
  66. 2094 While these visions did appear.
  67. 2095 And this weak and idle theme,
  68. 2096 No more yielding but a dream,
  69. 2097 Gentles, do not reprehend;
  70. 2098 If you pardon, we will mend.
  71. 2099 And, as I am an honest Puck,
  72. 2100 If we have unearned luck
  73. 2101 Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
  74. 2102 We will make amends ere long;
  75. 2103 Else the Puck a liar call:
  76. 2104 So, good night unto you all.
  77. 2105 Give me your hands, if we be friends,
  78. 2106 And Robin shall restore amends.
  79. [Exit.]