Libretto di Benjamin Britten e di Peter Pears, da Shakespeare
Musica di Benjamin Britten Cast: OBERN !"N!" COB#EB PE"SEBLOSSOM M$S"R%SEE% MO& ESEO &!PL!" &ERM!" L!S"N%RO %EMER!O ELEN" BOOM '$!NCE (L$E SN$) SNO$ S"R*EL!N) P$C+ "C ! Introduction (The wood. Deepening twilight.) (Enter Fairies, first group with Cobweb and Mustardseed, second group with Peaseblosso and Moth.) ("!R!ES O,er hi--, o,er da-e, trou.h bush, throu.h brier, o,er park, o,er pa-e, throu.h /-ood, throu.h /ire, 0e do 0ander e,er10here, s0i/ter than the moon2s sphere3 and 0e ser,e the /air1 4ueen, to de0 her orbs upon the .reen5 (O$R SOLO ("!R!ES Co0s-ips ta-- her pensioners be in their .o-d coats spots 1ou see3 those be rubies, /air1 /a,ours, in those /reck-es -i,e their sa,ours5 "LL ("!R!ES #e must .o seek some de0drops here and han. a pear- in e,er1 co0s-ip2s ear (Puc! appears suddenl".) P$C+ (calling)# &o0 no0 spirits6 (The Fairies scatter to the side.) ("!R!ES Or ! mistake 1our shape and makin. 4uite, or are 1ou not that shre0d and kna,ish sprite ca--2d Robin )ood/e--o0: are not 1ou he that /ri.hts the maidens o/ the ,i--a.er1, skim mi-k, and sometimes -abour in the 4uern and boot-ess make the breath-ess house0i/e churn3 and sometime make the drink to bear no barm3 mis-ead ni.ht70anderers, -au.hin. at their harm6 8ou do their 0ork, and the1 sha-- ha,e .ood -uck: hose that &ob.ob-in ca-- 1ou and s0eet Puck P$C+ But, room, /air19 here comes Oberon5 ("!R!ES "nd here our mistress5 COB#EB #ou-d that he 0ere .one9 (Enter, slowl" $beron and T"tania, with her train% fro opposite sides) ("!R!ES Oberon is passin. /e-- and 0rath, because that she, as her attendant hath a -o,e-1 bo1, sto-en /rom an !ndian kin.3 and jea-ous Oberon 0ou-d ha,e the chi-d OBERON: !-- met b1 moon-i.ht, proud 1tania 8"N!" !-- met b1 moon-i.ht, jea-ous Oberon9 (airies, skip hence: ! ha,e /ors0orn his bed and compan15 (The Fairies hide) OBERON, 8"N!" here/ore the 0inds ha,e suck2d up /rom the sea conta.ious /o.s5 here/ore the o: hath stretch2d his 1oke in ,ain, the /o-d stands empt1 in the dro0ned /ie-d, the cro0s are /atted 0ith the murrion /-ock3 the seasons a-ter: the sprin., the summer, the chi-din. autumn, an.r1 0inter, chan.e their 0onted -i,eries, and the ma;ed 0or-d, b1 their increase, no0 kno0s not 0hich is 0hich: and this same pro.en1 o/ e,i-s comes /rom our debate, /rom our dissension3 0e are their parents and ori.ina-, 0e are5 OBERON %o 1ou amend it then3 it -ies in 1ou: ! do but be. a -itt-e chan.e-in. bo1, to be m1 henchman5 8"N!" Set 1our heart at rest: he /air1 -and bu1s not the chi-d o/ me5 &is mother 0as a ,otaress o/ m1 order: But she, bein. morta-, o/ that bo1 did die3 and /or her sake ! 0i-- not part 0ith him5 OBERON )i,e me that bo1 and ! 0i-- .o 0ith thee5 8"N!" Not /or th1 /air1 kin.dom5 (airies, a0a19 (E&it T"tania with her train.) OBERON #e--, .o th1 0a1: thou sha-t not /rom this .ro,e ti-- ! torment thee /or this injur15 M1 .ent-e Puck, come hither5 (Puc! approaches $beron.) hou rememberest the herb ! she02d thee once3 the juice o/ it on s-eepin. e1e7-ids -aid 0i-- make or man or 0oman mad-1 dote upon the ne:t -i,e creature that it sees5 Be it on -ion, bear, or 0o-/, or bu--, on medd-in. monke1, or on bus1 ape5 (etch me this herb, and be thou here a.ain, ere the Le,iathan can s0im a -ea.ue5 P$C+ !2-- put a .ird-e round about the earth in /ort1 minutes5 ('e flies off.) OBERON &a,in. once this juice, !2-- 0atch 1tania, 0hen she is as-eep, and drop the -i4uor o/ it in her e1es3 and ere ! take this charm /rom o// ther si.ht !2-- make her render up her pa.e to me5 ($beron disappears. Enter ("sander and 'eria) L8S"N%ER &o0 no0, m1 -o,e9 #h1 is 1our cheek so pa-e6 &o0 chance the roses there do /ade so /ast6 &ERM!" Be-ike /or 0ant o/ rain, 0hich ! cou-d 0e-- beteem them /rom the tempest o/ m1 e1es5 L8S"N%ER "1 me9 /or au.ht that ! cou-d e,er read, cou-d e,er hear b1 ta-e or histor1, the course o/ true -o,e ne,er did run smooth3 but, either it 0as di//erent in b-ood5 &ERM!", L8S"N%ER O cross9 oo hi.h to be enthra--2d to -o05 Or e-se mis.ra//ed in respect o/ 1ears5 O spite9 oo o-d to be en.a.ed to 1oun.5 Or e-se it stood upon the choice o/ /riends5 O he--9 o choose -o,e b1 another2s e1es5 !/ then true -o,ers ha,e been e,er cross2d, it stands as an edict in destin15 &ERM!" hen -et us teach our tria- patience5 L8S"N%ER " .ood persuasion: there/ore, hear me, &ermia5 ! ha,e a 0ido0 aunt, a do0a.er o/ .reat re,enue, and she hath no chi-d3 /rom "thens is her house remote se,en -ea.ues5 "nd she respects me as her on-1 son5 here, .ent-e &ermia, ma1 ! marr1 thee3 and to that p-ace the sharp "thenian -a0, compe--in. thee to marr1 0ith %emetrius, annot pursue us5 !/ thou -o,est me then, there 0i-- ! .o 0ith thee5 &ERM!" M1 .ood L1sander9, i/ thou -o,2st me ! s0ear to thee, b1 Cupid2s stron.est bo05 L8S"N%ER ! s0ear to thee, b1 his best arro0 0ith the .o-den head5 &ERM!", L8S"N%ER ! s0ear to thee b1 the simp-icit1 o/ *enus2 do,es, b1 that 0hich knitteth sou-s and prospers -o,es, and b1 that /ire 0hich burn2d the Cartha.e 4ueen, 0hen the /a-se ro1an under sai- 0as seen, b1 a-- the ,o0s that e,er men ha,e broke, in number more than e,er 0omen spoke, ! s0ear, ! s0ear555 (The" slowl" go out. $beron appears) OBERON Be it on -ion, bear, or 0o-/, or bu--, On medd-in. monke1, or on bus1 ape5 But 0ho comes here6 ! am in,isib-e3 and ! 0i-- o,erhear their con/erence5 (Enter Deetrius. 'elena pursuing hi) %EMER!$S ! -o,e thee not, there/ore pursue me not5 #here is L1sander and /air &ermia6 he one !2-- s-a1, the other s-a1eth me5 hou to-d2st me the1 0ere sto-en unto this 0ood3 and here am !, and 0ode 0ithin this 0ood, because ! cannot meet m1 &ermia5 &ence, .et thee .one, and /o--o0 me no more5 &ELEN" 8ou dra0 me, 1ou hard7hearted adamant3 -ea,e 1ou 1our po0er to dra0, and ! sha-- ha,e no po0er to /o--o0 1ou5 %EMER!$S %o ! entice 1ou6 do ! speak 1ou /air6 Or, rather, do ! not in p-ainest truth te-- 1ou, ! do not, nor ! cannot -o,e 1ou6 &ELEN" E,en /or that do ! -o,e 1ou the more5 ! am 1our spanie-3 and, %emetrius, the more 1ou beat me, ! 0i-- /a0n on 1ou3 use me but as 1our spanie-, spurn me, strike me, ne.-ect me, -ose me3 on-1 .i,e me -ea,e, un0orth1 as ! am, to /o--o0 thee5 %EMER!$S empt not too much the hatred o/ m1 spirit3 /or ! am sick 0hen ! do -ook on thee5 &ELEN" "nd ! am sick 0hen ! -ook not on thee5 %EMER!$S !2-- run /rom thee and hide me in the brakes, and -ea,e thee to the merc1 o/ 0i-d beasts5 ('e goes out.) &ELEN" (running out) !2-- /o--o0 1ou and make a hea,2n o/ he-- to die upon the hand ! -o,e so 0e--5 OBERON (are thee 0e--, n1mph: ere he do -ea,e this .ro,e, thou sha-t /-1 him and he sha-- seek th1 -o,e5 (Puc! flies in.) #e-come, 0anderer9 &ast thou the /-o0er there6 (Puc! gi)es $beron the flower and lies at his feet.) ! kno0 a bank 0here the 0i-d th1me b-o0s, 0here o:-ips and the noddin. ,io-et .ro0s, 4uite o,er7canopied 0ith -uscious 0oodbine, 0ith s0eet musk7roses and 0ith e.-antine: there s-eeps 1tania sometime o/ the ni.ht, -u--2d in these /-o0ers 0ith dances and de-i.ht3 and there the snake thro0s her ename--2d skin, 0eed 0ide enou.h to 0rap a /air1 in: and 0ith the juice o/ this !2-- streak her e1es, and make her /u-- o/ hate/u- /antasies5 ake thou some o/ it, and seek throu.h this .ro,e: a s0eet "thenian -ad1 is in -o,e 0ith a disdain/u- 1outh: anoint his e1es3 but do it 0hen the ne:t thin. he espies ma1 be the -ad1: thou sha-t kno0 the man b1 the "thenian .arments he hath on5 (The" disappear. *i& rustics enter cautiousl".) '$!NCE !s a-- our compan1 here6 "LL "1, "15 BOOM 8ou 0ere best to ca-- them .enera--1, man b1 man, accordin. to the script5 (L$E (irst, .ood Peter 'uince, sa1 0hat the p-a1 treats on5 '$!NCE Marr1, our p-a1 is, the most -amentab-e comed1, and most crue- death o/ P1ramus and hisb15 "LL O/ P1ramus and hisb15 BOOM " ,er1 .ood piece o/ 0ork, ! assure 1ou, and a merr15 No0, .ood Peter 'uince, ca-- /orth 1our actors b1 the scro--5 Masters, spread 1ourse-,es5 '$!NCE "ns0er as ! ca-- 1ou5 Nick Bottom, the 0ea,er5 BOOM Read15 Name 0hat part ! am /or, and proceed5 '$!NCE 8ou, Nick Bottom, are set do0n /or P1ramus5 BOOM #hat is P1ramus6 a -o,er, or a t1rant6 '$!NCE " -o,er, that ki--s himse-/ most .a--ant /or -o,e5 BOOM M1 chie/ humour is /or a t1rant: ! cou-d p-a1 Erc-es rare-1, or a part to tear a cat in, to make a-- sp-it the ra.in. rocks3 and shi,erin. shocks sha-- break the -ocks o/ prison .ates, and Phibbus2 car sha-- shine /rom /ar, and make and mar the /oo-ish (ates5 his 0as -o/t19 No0 name the rest o/ the p-a1ers5 '$!NCE (rancis (-ute, the be--o0s7mender5 BOOM his is Erc-e2s ,ein, a t1rant2s ,ein3 a -o,er is more condo-in.5 (L$E &ere, Peter 'uince5 '$!NCE (-ute, 1ou must take hisb1 on 1ou5 (L$E #hat is hisb16 a 0anderin. kni.ht6 '$!NCE !t is the -ad1 that P1ramus must -o,e5 (L$E Na1, /aith, -et me not p-a1 a 0oman3 ! ha,e a beard comin.5 '$!NCE hat2s a-- one: 1ou sha-- p-a1 it in a mask, and 1ou ma1 speak as sma-- as 1ou 0i--5 BOOM "n ! ma1 hide m1 /ace, -et me p-a1 hisb1 too, !2-- speak in a monstrous -itt-e ,oice5 hisne, thisne:<"h, P1ramus, -o,er dear9 th1 hisb1 dear, and -ad1 dear9< '$!NCE No, no3 1ou must p-a1 P1ramus3 and, (-ute, 1ou hisb15 BOOM #e--, proceed5 (L$E (practising to hiself) <"h P1ramus, m1 -o,er dear, th1 hisb1 dear, and Lad1 dear555< '$!NCE Robin Star,e-in., the tai-or5 S"R*EL!N) &ere, Peter 'uince5 '$!NCE Robin Star,e-in., 1ou must p-a1 hisb12s mother5 om Snout, the tinker5 SNO$ &ere, Peter 'uince5 '$!NCE 8ou, P1ramus2 /ather3 m1se-/, hisb12s /ather3 Snu., the joiner3 1ou, the -ion2s part3 and, ! hope, here is a p-a1 /itted5 SN$) &a,e 1ou the -ion2s part 0ritten6 pra1 1ou, i/ it be, .i,e it me, /or ! am s-o0 o/ stud15 '$!NCE 8ou ma1 do it e:tempore, /or it is nothin. but roarin.5 BOOM Let me p-a1 the -ion too: ! 0i-- roar, that ! 0i-- do an1 man2s heart .ood to hear me3 ! 0i-- roar, that ! 0i-- make the duke sa1 <Let him roar a.ain, -et him roar a.ain< (L$E "n 1ou shou-d do it too terrib-1, 1ou 0ou-d /ri.ht the duchess and the -adies, that the1 0ou-d shriek3 and that 0ere enou.h to han. us a--5 '$!NCE, S"R*EL!N), SNO$, SN$) hat 0ou-d han. us, e,2r1 mother2s son5 (L$E E,2r1 mother2s son9 BOOM But ! 0i-- a..ra,ate m1 ,oice so, that ! 0i-- roar 1ou as .ent-1 as an1 suckin. do,e3 ! 0i-- roar 1ou an 2t0ere an1 ni.htin.a-e5 '$!NCE 8ou can p-a1 no part but P1ramus3 /or P1ramus is a s0eet7/aced man3 a proper man, as one sha-- see in a summer2s da13 a most -o,e-1 .ent-eman7-ike man3 there/ore 1ou must needs p-a1 P1ramus5 BOOM #e--, ! 0i-- undertake it5 (+eneral satisfaction.) '$!NCE But masters here are 1our parts3 and ! am to entreat 1ou, re4uest 1ou and desire 1ou, to con them b1 toni.ht3 there 0i-- 0e rehearse anon5 BOOM #e 0i-- meet3 and there 0e ma1 rehearse most obscene-1 and coura.eous-15 ake pains3 be per/ect: adieu5 '$!NCE "t the duke2s oak 0e meet5 "LL "dieu5 (E&eunt. Enter ("sander and 'eria.) L8S"N%ER: (air -o,e, 1ou /aint 0ith 0anderin. in the 0ood3 and to speak troth, ! ha,e /or.ot our 0a13 0e2-- rest us, &ermia, i/ 1ou think it .ood, and tarr1 /or the com/ort o/ the da15 &ERM!" Be it so, L1sander3 /ind 1ou out a bed3 /or ! upon this bank 0i-- rest m1 head5 L8S"N%ER One tur/ sha-- ser,e as pi--o0 /or us both3 One heart, one bed, t0o bosoms and one troth5 &ERM!" Na1, .ood L1sander3 m1 sake, m1 dear, -ie /urther o// 1et, do not -ie so near5 So /ar be distant3 and, .ood ni.ht, s0eet /riend3 h1 -o,e ne2er a-ter ti-- th1 s0eet -i/e end9 L8S"N%ER, &ERM!" "men to that /air pra1er, sa1 !3 and then end -i/e 0hen ! end -o1a-t19 (The" go to sleep. Enter Puc!.) P$C+ hrou.h the /orest ha,e ! .one5 But "thenian /ound ! none, on 0hose e1es ! mi.ht appro,e this /-o0er2s /orce in stirrin. -o,e5 Ni.ht and si-ence5 #ho is here6 (coing upon the sleeping ("sander) #eeds o/ "thens he doth 0ear3 this is he, m1 master said, despised the "thenian maid3 ('e s,uee-es the .uice on ("sander/s e"es.) Chur-, upon th1 e1es ! thro0 a-- the po0er this charm doth o0e5 So a0ake 0hen ! am .one3 /or ! must no0 to Oberon5 (E&it Puc!.) &ERM!" (in her sleep) "men, amen to that /air pra1er, sa1 !5 (Enter 'elena and Deetriud, running) &ELEN" Sta1, thou.h thou ki-- me, s0eet %emetrius5 %EMER!$S ! char.e thee, hence, and do not haunt me thus5 &ELEN" O, 0i-t thou dark-in. -ea,e me6 do not so5 %EMER!$S Sta1, on th1 peri-: ! a-one 0i-- .o5 (0unning out) &ELEN" (following) O, ! am out o/ breath in this /ond chase9 he more m1 pra1er, the -esser is m1 .race5 &app1 is &ermia, 0heresoe2er she -ies3 /or she hath b-essed and attracti,e e1es5 "-as, ! am as u.-1 as a bear3 /or beasts that meet me run a0a1 /or /ear3 (*he sees ("sander.) But 0ho is here6 L1sander9 on the .round9 %ead6 or as-eep6 ! see no b-ood, no 0ound5 L1sander i/ 1ou -i,e, .ood sir, a0ake5 L8S"N%ER (1wa!ing) "nd run throu.h /ire ! 0i-- /or th1 s0eet sake5 ransparent &e-ena9 Nature sho0s art, that throu.h th1 bosom makes me see th1 heart5 #here is %emetrius6 O, ho0 /it a 0ord is that ,i-e name to perish on m1 s0ord9 &ELEN" %o not sa1 so, L1sander3 sa1 not so 0hat thou.h he -o,e 1our &ermia6 Lord, 0hat thou.h6 8et &ermia sti-- -o,es 1ou3 then be content L8S"N%ER Content 0ith &ermia9 No3 ! do repent the tedious minutes ! 0ith her ha,e spent5 Not &ermia but &e-ena ! -o,e3 0ho 0i-- not chan.e a ra,en /or a do,e6 &ELEN" #here/ore 0as ! to this keen mocker1 born6 #hen at 1our hands did ! deser,e this scorn6 )ood troth, 1ou do me 0ron., .ood sooth, 1ou do, in such disdain/u- manner me to 0oo but /are 1ou 0e--3 per/orce ! must con/ess (running out) ! thou.ht 1ou -ord o/ more true .ent-eness5 L8S"N%ER She sees not &ermia5 &ermia, s-eep thou there3 and ne,er ma1st thou come L1sander near9 S-eep thou there3 and, a-- m1 po0ers, address 1our -o,e and mi.ht o honour &e-en and to be her kni.ht9 (running out) &ERM!" (wa!es up, calling) L1sander, he-p me, 0hat a dream 0as here9 L1sander, -ook ho0 ! do 4uake 0ith /ear3 methou.ht a serpent eat m1 heart a0a1, and 1ou sat smi-in. at his crue- pre15 L1sander9 0hat, remo,ed6 L1sander9 -ord9 #hat, out o/ hearin.6 .one6 no sound, no 0ord6 "-ack, 0here are 1ou6 speak, an i/ 1ou hear3 speak, o/ a-- -o,es9 ! s0oon a-most 0ith /ear5 (running out) L1sander, Lord555 (Enter T"tania, with Cobweb, Peaseblosso, Mustardseed, Moth and Fairies.) 8"N!" Come, no0 a rounde- and a /air1 son.3 then, /or the third part o/ a minute, hence3 some to ki-- cankers in the musk7rose buds, some 0ar 0ith rere7mice /or their -eathern 0in.s, to make m1 sma-- e-,es coats, and some keep back the c-amorous o0- that ni.ht-1 hoots and 0onders at our 4uaint spirits5 Sin. me no0 as-eep3 then to 1our o//ices and -et me rest5 SOLO ("!R!ES 8ou spotted snakes 0ith doub-e ton.ue, thorn1 hed.eho.s, be not seen3 ne0ts and b-ind70orms, do no 0ron., come not near our /air1 4ueen5 Phi-ome-, 0ith me-od1 sin. in our s0eet -u--ab13 "LL ("!R!ES Lu--ab1, ne,er harm, nor spe-- nor charm, come our -o,e-1 -ad1 ni.h3 so, .ood ni.ht, 0ith -u--ab15 SOLO ("!R!ES #ea,in. spiders, come not here hence, 1ou -on.7-e..2d spinners, hence9 Beet-es b-ack, approach not near3 0orm nor snai-, do no o//ence5 Phi-ome-, 0ith me-od1555 COB#EB (whispered) &ence, a0a19 no0 a-- is 0e--3 one a-oo/ stand sentine-5 (T"tania sleeps. The Fairies, e&cept one standing sentr", slip out. $beron appears.) OBERON (s,uee-ing the .uice fro the flower onto T"tania/s e"elids.) #hat thou seest 0hen thou dost 0ake, do it /or th1 true7-o,e take, -o,e and -an.uish /or his sake3 be it ounce, or cat, or bear, pard, or boar 0ith brist-ed hair, in thine e1e that sha-- appear 0hen thou 0akest, it is th1 dear3 0ake 0hen some ,i-e thin. is near5 ('e slowl" disappears and the lig.hts fade on the sleeping T"tania.) "C !! Introduction (The wood. T"tania l"ing asleep. Enter the si& rustics.) BOOM "re 0e a-- met6 &E O&ERS Pat, pat, pat '$!NCE "nd here2s a mar,e--ous con,enient p-ace /or our rehearsa-5 BOOM Peter 'uince6 '$!NCE #hat sa1est thou, bu--1 Bottom6 BOOM here are thin.s in this comed1 that 0i-- ne,er p-ease5 (irst, P1ramus must dra0 a s0ord to ki-- himse-/3 0hich the -adies cannot abide5 &E O&ERS B12r -akin, a par-ous /ear5 (L$E ! be-ie,e 0e must -ea,e the ki--in. out, 0hen a-- is done5 BOOM Not a 0hit: ! ha,e a de,ice to make a-- 0e--5 #rite me a pro-o.ue3 te-- them, that !, P1ramus, am not P1ramus, but Bottom the 0ea,er: this 0i-- put them out o/ /ear5 SN$) #i-- not the -adies be a/eard o/ the Lion6 &E O&ERS he Lion5 (L$E ! /ear it, ! promise 1ou5 BOOM here/ore another Pro-o.ue must te-- them p-ain-1 he is not a Lion but Snu. the joiner5 '$!NCE But there is t0o hard thin.s3 that is, to brin. the moon-i.ht into a chamber3 /or, 1ou kno0, P1ramus and hisb1 meet b1 moon-i.ht5 S"R*EL!N) %oth the moon shine that ni.ht 0e p-a1 our p-a16 BOOM " ca-endar, -ook in the a-manac3 /ind out moonshine5 &E O&ERS Moonshine, moonshine5 '$!NCE hen, there is another thin.: 0e must ha,e a 0a-- in the .reat chamber5 SNO$ 8ou can ne,er brin. in a 0a--5 "LL #hat sa1 1ou, Bottom6 BOOM Some man or other must present #a--, and -et him ho-d his /in.ers thus, and throu.h that crann1 sha-- P1ramus and hisb1 0hisper5 &E O&ERS hen a-- is 0e--5 '$!NCE Come, sit do0n, e,er1 mother2s son, and rehearse 1our parts, e,er1 one accordin. to his cue5 P1ramus, 1ou be.in5 (Puc! flies in.) P$C+ #hat hempen home7spuns ha,e 0e s0a..erin. here, so near the crad-e the /air1 4ueen6 '$!NCE Speak, P1ramus5 hisb1, stand /orth5 BOOM hisb1, the /-o0ers o/ odious sa,ours s0eet555 '$!NCE Odours, odours5 BOOM Odours sa,ours s0eet: So hath th1 breath, m1 dearest hisb1 dear5 But &ark, a ,oice9 sta1 thou but here a0hi-e, "nd b1 and b1 ! 0i-- to thee appear5 (E&it 2otto) P$C+ !2-- /o--o0 1ou, !2-- -ead 1ou about a round5 ('e follows 2otto) (L$E Must ! speak no06 '$!NCE "1, marr1, must 1ou3 /or 1ou must understand he .oes but to see a noise he heard and is to come a.ain5 (L$E Most radiant P1ramus, most -i-170hite o/ hue, o/ co-our -ike the red rose on triumphant brier, most brisk1 ju,ena- and eke most -o,e-1 =e0, as true as truest horse that 1et 0ou-d ne,er tire, !2-- meet thee, P1ramus, at Ninn12s tomb5 '$!NCE: #h1, 1ou must not speak that 1et3 that 1ou ans0er to P1ramo: 1ou speak a-- 1our part at once, cues and a--5 P1ramus enter: 1our cue is past3 it is, 2ne,er tire25 (L$E O, as true as truest horse, that 1et 0ou-d ne,er tire5 (Enter Puc! and 2otto with an ass/s head upon his shoulders.) BOOM !/ ! 0ere /air, hisb1, ! 0ere on-1 thine5 (Puc! flies off.) &E O&ERS O monstrous9 O stran.e9 0e are haunted5 Pra1, masters9 /-1, masters9 &e-p9 (E&eunt 3uince, *nug, Flute, *nout, and *tar)eling.) BOOM #h1 do the1 run a0a16 this is a kna,er1 to make me a/eard5 (Flute reappears.) (L$E O Bottom, Bottom, thou art chan.ed9 0hat do ! see on thee6 (E&it Flute.) BOOM: #hat do 1ou see6 1ou see an asshead o/ 1our o0n, do 1ou6 (The rustics reappear fro behind the trees.) "LL B-ess thee, Bottom9 b-ess thee9 thou art trans-ated5 (The" desappear.) BOOM ! see their kna,er1: this is to make an ass o/ me3 to /ri.ht me, i/ the1 cou-d5 But ! 0i-- not stir /rom this p-ace, and ! 0i-- sin., that the1 sha-- hear ! am not a/raid5 (*inging) he 0oose-- cock, so b-ack o/ hue, 0ith oran.e7ta0n1 bi--, the throst-e 0ith his note so true, the 0ren 0ith -itt-e 4ui--,555 8"N!" (awa!ing) #hat an.e- 0akes me /rom m1 /-o0er1 bed6 BOOM he /inch, the sparro0 and the -ark, the p-ain7son. cuckoo .ra1, 0hose note /u-- man1 a man doth mark, and dares not ans0er na15 8"N!" ! pra1 thee, .ent-e morta-, sin. a.ain: Mine ear is much enamour2d o/ th1 note3 so is mine e1e enthra--ed to th1 shape3 thou art as 0ise as thou art beauti/u-5 BOOM Not so, neither: but i/ ! had 0it enou.h to .et out o/ this 0ood555 8"N!" Out o/ this 0ood do not desire to .o: hou sha-t remain here, 0hether thou 0i-t or no5 ! am a spirit o/ no common rate3 the summer sti-- doth tend upon m1 state3 !2-- .i,e thee (airies to attend on thee3 Peaseb-ossom9 PE"SEBLOSSOM (enters.) Read1 8"N!" Cob0eb9 COB#EB (enters.) "nd !5 8"N!" Moth9 MO& (enters.) "nd !5 8"N!" Mustardseed9 M$S"R%SEE% (enters.) "nd !5 (O$R SOLO ("!R!ES #hre sha-- 0e .o6 8"N!" Be kind and courteous to this .ent-eman3 hop in his 0a-ks and .ambo- in his e1es3 /eed him 0ith apricocks and de0berries, 0ith purp-e .rapes, .reen /i.s, and mu-berries3 the hone17ba.s stea- /rom the humb-e7bees, and /or ni.ht7tapers crop their 0a:en thi.hs and -i.ht them at the /ier1 .-o070orm2s e1es, to ha,e m1 -o,e to bed and to arise3 nod to him, e-,es, and do him courtesies5 (O$R SOLO ("!R!ES (bow deepl" to 2otto) &ai-, morta-, hai-9 BOOM: ! cr1 1our 0orship2s merc1, 1our merc1, hearti-15 (O$R SOLO ("!R!ES &ai-, morta-, hai-9 BOOM ! cr1 1our 0orship2s merc15 ! beseech 1our 0orship2s name5 COB#EB Cob0eb5 &ai-, morta-, hai-9 BOOM ! sha-- desire 1ou o/ more ac4uaintance, .ood Master Cob0eb5 8our name, honest .ent-eman6 PE"SEBLOSSOM Peaseb-ossom5 &ai-, morta-, hai-9 BOOM ! pra1 1ou, commend me to Mistress S4uash, 1our mother, and to Master Peascod, 1our /ather5 8our name, ! beseech 1ou, sir6 M$S"R%SEE% Mustardseed5 &ai-, morta-, hai-9 (O$R SOLO ("!R!ES &ai-, morta-, hai-9 BOOM 8our kindred hath made m1 e1es 0ater ere no0, .ood master Mustardseed5 ! desire 1ou more ac4uaintance5 8our name, sir6 MO& (coes forward) Mo555 8"N!" (interrupting) Come, sit thee do0n upon this /-o0er1 bed, 0hi-e ! th1 amiab-e cheeks do co1, and stick musk7roses in th1 s-eek smooth head, and kiss th1 /air -ar.e ears, m1 .ent-e jo15 (T"tania and 2otto settle down on the ban!.) BOOM #here2s Peaseb-ossom6 PE"SEBLOSSOM Read15 ('e goes to 2otto.) BOOM Scratch m1 head Peaseb-ossom5 (Peaseblosso scratches 2otto/s head.) #here2s Monsieur Cob0eb6 COB#EB Read15 ('e goes to 2otto.) BOOM Monsieur Cob0eb, .et 1ou 1our 0eapons in 1our hand, and ki-- me a red7hipped humb-e7bee, and .ood Monsieur, brin. me the hone17ba.5 (Cobweb finds a bee, catches it and ta!es the hone" to 2otto.) #here2s Monsieur Mustard7seed6 M$S"R%SEE% Read15 BOOM )i,e me 1our nea/, Monsieur Mustardseed5 (Mustardseed sha!es his hand )iolentl".) Pra1 1ou, -ea,e 1our courtes1, .ood Monsieur5 M$S"R%SEE% #hat2s 1our 0i--6 BOOM Nothin., .ood monsieur, but to he-p Ca,a-er1 Cob0eb to scratch5 (Mustardseed helps Cobweb to scratch 2otto/s head.) ! am such a tender ass, i/ m1 hair do but tick-e me, ! must scratch5 #here2s Monsieur Moth6 MO& !2m he555 8"N!" #hat, 0i-t thou hear some music, m1 s0eet -o,e6 BOOM ! ha,e a reas2nab-e .ood ear in music5 La -a -a -a555 Let2s ha,e the ton.s and the bones5 (The Fairies ta!e their instruents and start to pla".) "h9 "h9 ! ha,e a reas2nab-e .ood ear in music5 (2otto gets up and begins to dance.) La -a -a -a9 ('e "awns.) But, ! pra1 1ou, -et none o/ 1our peop-e stir me: ! ha,e an e:position o/ s-eep come upon me5 8"N!" S-eep thou, and ! 0i-- 0ind thee in m1 arms5 (airies, be.one, and be a-- 0a1s a0a15 (The Fairies disappear.) So doth the 0oodbine the s0eet hone1suck-e .ent-1 ent0ist3 the /ema-e i,1 so enrin.s the bark1 /in.ers o/ the e-m5 &o0 ! -o,e thee9 ho0 ! dote on thee9 (The" sleep, and it grows dar!. Enter $beron and Puc!.) OBERON &o0 no0, mad spirit9 #hat ni.ht7ru-e no0 about this haunted .ro,e6 P$C+ See, see, m1 mistress 0ith a monster is in -o,e5 OBERON his /a--s out better than ! cou-d de,ise5 But hast thou 1et -atch2d the "thenian2s e1es 0ith the -o,e7juice, as ! did bid thee do6 (Enter 'eria and Deetrius.) Stand c-ose: this is the same "thenian5 P$C+ his is the 0oman, but not this the man5 ($beron and Puc! listen.) %EMER!$S O, 0h1 rebuke 1ou him that -o,es 1ou so6 &ERM!" !/ thou hast s-ain L1sander in his s-eep, p-un.e in the deep, and ki-- me too5 "h, .ood %emetrius, 0i-t thou .i,e him me6 %EMER!$S ! had rather .i,e his carcass to m1 hounds5 &ERM!" Out, do., out, cur, oh hast thou s-ain him, then6 %EMER!$S ! am not .ui-t1 o/ L1sander2s b-ood5 &ERM!" ! pra1 thee, te-- me then that he is 0e--5 %EMER!$S "n i/ ! cou-d, 0hat shou-d ! .et there/ore6 &ERM!" " pri,i-e.e ne,er to see me more5 "nd /rom th1 hated presence part ! so5 See me no more, 0hether he be dead or no5 (E&it.) %EMER!$S here is no /o--o0in. her in this /ierce ,ein: &ere there/ore /or a 0hi-e ! 0i-- remain5 So sorro02s hea,iness doth hea,ier .ro0 ('e lies down.) OBERON #hat hast thou done6 thou hast mistaken 4uite and -aid the -o,e7juice on some true7-o,e2s si.ht: "bout the 0ood .o s0i/ter than the 0ind, and &e-ena o/ "thens -ook thou /ind5 P$C+ ! .o, ! .o3 -ook ho0 ! .o, s0i/ter than arro0 /rom the artar2s bo05 ('e flies off.) OBERON (-o0er o/ this purp-e d1e, hit 0ith Cupid2s archer1, sink in app-e o/ his e1e5 #hen his -o,e he doth esp1, -et her shine as .-orious-1 as the *enus o/ the sk15 #hen thou 0akest, i/ she be b1, be. o/ her /or remed15 (Puc! flies in.) P$C+ Captain o/ our /air1 band, &e-ena is here at hand3 and the 1outh, mistook b1 me, sha-- 0e their /ond pa.eant see6 Lord, 0hat /oo-s these morta-s be9 (Enter 'elena, ("sander following. $beron and Puc! stand aside.) L8S"N%ER #h1 shou-d 1ou think that ! shou-d 0oo in scorn6 &ELEN" hese ,o0s are &ermia2s5 #i-- 1ou .i,e her o2er6 L8S"N%ER ! had no jud.ment 0hen to her ! s0ore5 &ELEN" Nor none, in m1 mind, no0 1ou .i,e her o2er5 L8S"N%ER %emetrius -o,es her, and he -o,es not 1ou5 (Deetrius awa!es.) %EMER!$S O &e-ena, .oddess, n1mph, per/ect, di,ine9 o 0hat, m1 -o,e, sha-- ! compare thine e1ne6 Cr1sta- is mudd15 O, ho0 ripe in sho0 th1 -ips, those kissin. cherries, temptin. .ro09 hat pure con.ea-ed 0hite, hi.h aurus2 sno0, /ann2d 0ith the eastern 0ind, turns to a cro0 0hen thou ho-d2st up th1 hand: O, -et me kiss this princess o/ pure 0hite, this sea- o/ b-iss9 O &e-en9 &ELEN" O spite9 %EMER!$S )oddess9 &ELEN" O &e--9 %EMER!$S N1mph, per/ect, di,ine9 &ELEN" ! see 1ou a-- are bent o set a.ainst me /or 1our merriment5 %EMER!$S (To ("sander) Look, 0here th1 -o,e comes3 1onder is th1 dear5 &ERM!" (entering) "h, L1sander, 0h1 unkind-1 didst thou -ea,e me so6 &ELEN" !njurious &ermia9 most un.rate/u- maid9 &a,e 1ou conspired, ha,e 1ou 0ith these contri,ed to bait me 0ith this /ou- derision6 !s a-- the counse- that 0e t0o ha,e shared, the sisters2 ,o0s, the hours that 0e ha,e spent, 0hen 0e ha,e chid the hast17/ooted time /or partin. us, O, is it a-- /or.ot6 "-- schoo-7da1s2 /riendship, chi-dhood innocence6 #e, &ermia, -ike t0o arti/icia- .ods, ha,e 0ith our need-es created both one /-o0er, both on one samp-er, sittin. on one cushion, both 0arb-in. o/ one son., both in one ke13 t0o -o,e-1 berries mou-ded on one stem3 so, 0ith t0o seemin. bodies, but one heart3 and 0i-- 1ou rent our ancient -o,e asunder, to join 0ith men in scornin. 1our poor /riend6 !t is not /riend-1, 2tis not maiden-1: &ERM!" ! am ama;ed at 1our passionate 0ords5 ! scorn 1ou not: it seems that 1ou scorn me5 &ELEN" "1, do, perse,er, counter/eit sad -ooks, make mouths upon me 0hen ! turn m1 back3 0ink each at other3 ho-d the s0eet jest up: (as if going) But /are 1e 0e--: 2tis part-1 m1 o0n /au-t3 0hich death or absence soon sha-- remed15 L8S"N%ER Sta1, .ent-e &e-ena3 hear m1 e:cuse: M1 -o,e, m1 -i/e m1 sou-, /air &e-ena9 &ELEN" O e:ce--ent9 &ERM!" (to ("sander) S0eet, do not scorn her so5 %EMER!$S !/ she cannot entreat, ! can compe-5 L8S"N%ER hou canst compe- no more than she entreat: %EMER!$S ! sa1 ! -o,e thee more than he can do5 L8S"N%ER !/ thou sa1 so, 0ithdra0, and pro,e it too5 %EMER!$S 'uick, come9 &ERM!" (holds ("sander) L1sander, 0hereto tends a-- this6 L8S"N%ER "0a1, 1ou Ethiope9 %EMER!$S No, no3 sir, seem to break -oose3 8ou are a tame man, .o9 L8S"N%ER &an. o//, thou cat, thou burr9 ,i-e thin., -et -oose, or ! 0i-- shake thee /rom me -ike a serpent9 &ERM!" #h1 are 1ou .ro0n so rude6 0hat chan.e is this6 S0eet -o,e6 %EMER!$S Seems to break -oose3 take on as 1ou 0ou-d /o--o05 L8S"N%ER h1 -o,e9 out, ta0n1 artar, out9 &ERM!" S0eet -o,e5 %EMER!$S 8ou are a tame man, .o9 L8S"N%ER Out, -oathed medicine9 hated potion, hence9 &ERM!" %o 1ou not jest6 &ELEN" 8es, sooth3 and so do 1ou5 L8S"N%ER %emetrius, ! 0i-- keep m1 0ord 0ith thee5 %EMER!$S ! 0ou-d ! had 1our bond3 !2-- not trust 1our 0ord5 L8S"N%ER #hat, shou-d ! hurt her, strike her, ki-- her dead6 "-thou.h ! hate her, !2-- not harm her so5 &ERM!" #hat, can 1ou do me .reater harm than hate6 "m not ! &ermia6 are not 1ou L1sander6 (To 'elena) O me9 1ou ju..-er9 1ou canker7b-ossom9 8ou thie/ o/ -o,e9 %EMER!$S L1sander, keep th1 &ermia3 ! 0i-- none: !/ e2er ! -o,ed her, a-- that -o,e is .one5 L8S"N%ER "1, b1 m1 -i/e3 be certain 2tis no jest, hat ! do hate thee and -o,e &e-ena5 &ELEN" 8ou both are ri,a-s, and -o,e &ermia3 "nd no0 both ri,a-s, to mock (furious to 'eria) (ie, /ie9 1ou counter/eit, 1ou puppet, 1ou9 &ERM!" Puppet6 0h1 so6 a1, that 0a1 .oes the .ame5 No0 ! percei,e that she hath made compare bet0een our statures3 she hath ur.ed her hei.ht3 and 0ith her persona.e, her ta-- persona.e, her hei.ht, /orsooth, she hath pre,ai-2d 0ith him5 "nd are 1ou .ro0n so hi.h in his esteem3 because ! am so d0ar/ish and so -o06 &o0 -o0 am !, thou painted Ma1po-e6 speak3 &o0 -o0 am !6 ! am not 1et so -o0 but that m1 nai-s can reach unto thine e1es5 &ELEN" ! pra1 1ou, thou.h 1ou mock me, .ent-emen, -et her not hurt me3 1ou ma1 perhaps think, because she is somethin. -o0er than m1se-/, that ! can match her5 &ERM!" Lo0er6 Lo0er6 &ark, a.ain9 &ELEN" O, 0hen she2s an.r1, she is keen and shre0d9 She 0as a ,i:en 0hen she 0ent to schoo-3 and thou.h she be but -itt-e, she is /ierce555 &ERM!" Litt-e a.ain9 &ELEN" 555she is /ierce5 &ERM!" Nothin. but -o0 and -itt-e6 &ELEN" )et 1ou .one, 1ou d0ar/5 &ERM!" &ark a.ain9 &ELEN" 8ou minimus, o/ hinderin. knot7.rass made5 &ERM!" (to ("sander) #h1 0i-- 1ou su//er her to /-out me thus6 &ELEN" 8ou bead9 &ERM!" &ark a.ain9 &ELEN" 8ou acorn9 &ERM!" Let me come to her9 &ELEN" 8ou bead9 &ERM!" #h1 0i-- 1ou su//er her to /-out me6 &ELEN" )et 1ou .one, 1ou d0ar/5 L8S"N%ER Be not a/raid3 she sha-- not harm thee, &e-ena5 %EMER!$S No, sir, she sha-- not, thou.h 1ou take her part5 L8S"N%ER 8ou are too o//icious in her beha-/ that scorns 1our ser,ices5 %EMER!$S Let her a-one: speak not o/ &e-ena5 L8S"N%ER No0 /o--o0, i/ thou darest5 %EMER!$S Na1, !2-- .o 0ith thee, cheek b1 jo0-555 L8S"N%ER, %EMER!$S 555to tr1 0hose ri.ht, or thine or mine is most in &e-ena5 (E&eunt ("sander and Deetrius.) &ELEN", &ERM!" 8ou, mistress, a-- this coi- is 2-on. o/ 1ou5 &ERM!" Na1, .o not back5 &ELEN" ! 0i-- not trust 1ou, !555 &ELEN", &ERM!" 555Nor -on.er sta1 in 1our curst compan15 &ERM!" Na1, .o not back5 &ELEN" 8our hands than mine are 4uicker /or a /ra1, m1 -e.s are -on.er thou.h, to run a0a15 ('elena goes out, followed b" 'eria. $beron coes forward in a rage, dragging Puc!.) P$C+ O09 Oh9 O09 OBERON his is th1 ne.-i.ence: sti-- thou mistakest, or e-se committ2st th1 kna,eries 0i-/u--15 P$C+ Be-ie,e me, kin. o/ shado0s, ! mistook555 ($beron sha!es hi.) ! mistook555 "h9 OBERON hou see2st these -o,ers seek a p-ace to /i.ht: hie there/ore, Robin, o,ercast the ni.ht3 and -ead these test1 ri,a-s so astra1 as one come not 0ithin another2s 0a15 i-- o2er their bro0s death7counter/eitin. s-eep 0ith -eaden -e.s and batt1 0in.s doth creep: then crush this herb into L1sander2s e1e3 0hen the1 ne:t 0ake, a-- this derision sha-- seem a dream and /ruit-ess ,ision, haste, Robin, haste3 make no de-a1: 0e ma1 e//ect this business 1et ere da15 ($beron goes out) P$C+ $p and do0n, up and do0n, ! 0i-- -ead them up and do0n: ! am /ear2d in /ie-d and to0n: )ob-in, -ead them up and do0n5 $p and do0n, up and do0n, &ere comes one5 L8S"N%ER (Enters, calling) #here art thou, proud %emetrius6 speak thou no05 P$C+ (iitating Deetrius) &ere, ,i--ain3 dra0n and read15 #here art thou6 (o--o0 me, then to p-ainer .round5 %EMER!$S (calling) L1sander9 speak a.ain: hou runa0a1, thou co0ard, art thou /-ed6 P$C+ (iitating ("sander) "rt bra..in. to the stars and 0i-t not come6 %EMER!$S 8ea, art thou there6 P$C+ (o--o0 m1 ,oice: 0e2-- tr1 no manhood here5 (E&eunt. Enter ("sander.) L8S"N%ER &e .oes be/ore me and sti-- dares me on: P$C+ (distant) L1sander9 L8S"N%ER #hen ! come 0here he ca--s, then he is .one5 "nd ! am ! /a--2n in dark une,en 0a1, and here 0i-- rest me5 Come, thou .ent-e da19 ('e lies down.) (or i/ but once thou sho0 me th1 .re1 -i.ht, !2-- /ind %emetrius and re,en.e this spite5 ('e sleeps. Enter Puc!.) P$C+ &o, ho9 Co0ard, 0h1 comest thou not6 %EMER!$S (calling in off) "bide me, i/ thou darest5 #here art thou no06 P$C+ Come hither: ! am here5 (Enter Deetrius) %EMER!$S Na1, then, thou mock2st me5 hou sha-t bu1 this dear, i/ e,er ! th1 /ace b1 da1-i.ht see: no0, .o th1 0a15 (aintness constraineth me to measure out m1 -en.th on this co-d bed5 ('e lies down.) B1 da12s approach -ook to be ,isited5 ('e sleeps. Enter 'elena.) &ELEN" O 0ear1 ni.ht, o -on. and tedious ni.ht, abate th1 hours9 Shine com/orts /rom the east, and s-eep, that sometimes shuts up sorro02s e1e, stea- me a0hi-e /rom mine o0n compan15 (*he sleeps.) P$C+ 8et but three6 Come one more3 t0o o/ both kinds make up /our5 (Enter 'eria.) &ere she comes, curst and sad: Cupid is a kna,ish -ad, thus to make poor /ema-es mad5 &ERM!" Ne,er so 0ear1, ne,er so in 0oe, Bedabb-ed 0ith the de0 and torn 0ith briers, ! can no /urther cra0-, no /urther .o3 M1 -e.s can keep no pace 0ith m1 desires5 &ere 0i-- ! rest me ti-- the break o/ da15 &ea,ens shie-d L1sander, i/ the1 mean a /ra19 (*he sleeps. The Fairies coe in )er" stealthil".) ("!R!ES On the .round, s-eep sound: he2-- app-1 to 1our e1e, .ent-e -o,er, remed15 #hen thou 0akest, thou takest true de-i.ht in the si.ht o/ th1 /ormer -ad12s e1e: and the countr1 pro,erb kno0n, in 1our 0akin. sha-- be sho0n: =ack sha-- ha,e =i--3 nou.ht sha-- .o i--3 the man sha-- ha,e his mare a.ain, and a-- sha-- be 0e--5 (E&eunt Fairies. Puc! s,uee-es the .uice on ("sander/s e"es and goes out.) "C !!! Introduction (The wood, earl" ne&t orning. T"tania with 2otto, and the four lo)ers lie asleep. Puc! and $beron appear.) OBERON (obser)ing T"tania) M1 .ent-e Robin3 see2st thou this s0eet si.ht6 &er dota.e no0 ! do be.in to pit15 "nd no0 ! ha,e the bo1, ! 0i-- undo this hate/u- imper/ection o/ her e1es: Be as thou 0ast 0ont to be3 see as thou 0ast 0ont to see: %ian2s bud o2er Cupid2s /-o0er hath such /orce and b-essed po0er5 Be as thou 0ast 0ont to be3 no0, m1 1tania3 0ake 1ou, m1 s0eet 4ueen5 (T"tania wa!es.) 8"N!" M1 Oberon9 0hat ,isions ha,e ! seen9 Methou.ht ! 0as enamour2d o/ an ass5 OBERON here -ies 1our -o,e5 8"N!" &o0 came these thin.s to pass6 O, ho0 mine e1es do -oathe his ,isa.e no09 OBERON Si-ence a0hi-e5 Robin, take o// this head5 1tania, music ca--3 and strike more dead than common s-eep o/ a-- these /i,e the sense5 (Puc! reo)es the ass/s head.) 8"N!" Music, ho9 music, such as charmeth s-eep9 (Enter soe Fairies.) OBERON Sound, music9 Come, m1 4ueen, take hands 0ith me, and rock the .round 0hereon these s-eepers be5 (The" dance.) No0 thou and ! are ne0 in amit1 and 0i-- to7morro0 midni.ht so-emn-1 dance in %uke heseus2 house triumphant-1, "nd b-ess it to a-- /air prosperit15 here sha-- the pairs o/ /aith/u- -o,ers be 0edded, 0ith heseus, a-- in jo--it15 P$C+ (air1 kin., attend, and mark: ! do hear the mornin. -ark5 ('e disappears. $beron, T"tania and the Fairies disappear, still dancing. Distant horns.) %EMER!$S (wa!ing) &e-ena9 L8S"N%ER (wa!ing) &ermia9 &ELEN" (wa!ing) %emetrius9 &ERM!" (wa!ing) L1sander9 "LL (O$R #e are a0ake9 &ELEN" "nd ! ha,e /ound %emetrius -ike a je0e-, mine o0n, and not mine o0n5 %EMER!$S "nd ! ha,e /ound /air &e-en -ike a je0e-, mine o0n, and not mine o0n5 &ERM!" "nd ! ha,e /ound L1sander -ike a je0e-, mine o0n, and not mine o0n5 L8S"N%ER "nd ! ha,e /ound s0eet &ermia -ike a je0e-, mine o0n, and not mine o0n5 "LL (O$R #h1 then 0e are a0ake3 -et2s .o "nd b1 the 0a1 -et us recount our dreams5 (The lo)ers go out.) BOOM (slowl" wa!ing) #hen m1 cue comes, ca-- me, and ! 0i-- ans0er: m1 ne:t is, 2Most /air P1ramus52 &ei.h7ho9 Peter 'uince9 (-ute, the be--o0s7mender6 Snout, the tinker6 Star,e-in.6 )od2s m1 -i/e, sto-en hence, and -e/t me as-eep9 ! ha,e had a dream, past the 0it o/ man to sa1 0hat dream it 0as5 Methou.ht ! 0as, there is no man can te-- 0hat5 Methou.ht ! 0as, and methou.ht ! had5 But man is but a patched /oo-, i/ he 0i-- o//er to sa1 0hat methou.ht ! had5 he e1e o/ man hath not heard, the ear o/ man hath not seen, man2s hand is not ab-e to taste, his ton.ue to concei,e, nor his heart to report, 0hat m1 dream 0as5 M1 dream9 ! 0i-- .et Peter 'uince the carpenter to 0rite a ba--ad o/ this dream, and it sha-- be ca--ed Bottom2s %ream, because it hath no Bottom3 and ! 0i-- sin. it in the -atter end o/ a p-a1, be/ore the duke5 Perad,enture, to make it the more .racious, ! sha-- sin. it at her death5 (E&it. Enter 3uince, Flute, *nout and *tar)eling, glooil".) '$!NCE &a,e 1ou sent to Bottom2s house6 is he come home 1et6 S"R*EL!N) &e cannot be heard o/5 Out o/ doubt he is transported5 (L$E !/ he come not, then the p-a1 is marred: it .oes not /or0ard, doth it6 S"R*EL!N) !t is not possib-e: 1ou ha,e not a man in a-- "thens ab-e to dischar.e P1ramus but he5 SNO$ No, he hath simp-1 the best 0it o/ an1 handicra/t man in "thens5 '$!NCE: 8es, and the best person too5 (Enter *nug.) SN$) Masters, the duke is comin. /rom the temp-e5 !/ our sport had .one /or0ard, 0e had a-- been made men5 (L$E s0eet bu--1 Bottom9 hus hath he -ost si:pence a da1 durin. his -i/e3 he cou-d not ha,e 2scaped si:pence a da1: an the duke had not .i,en him si:pence a da1 /or p-a1in. P1ramus, !2-- be han.ed3 he 0ou-d ha,e deser,ed it: si:pence a da1 in P1ramus, or nothin.5 SNO$ &e cou-d not ha,e scaped it5 '$!NCE Si:pence5 S"R*EL!N) &e cou-d not ha,e scaped it5 '$!NCE, SNO$, S"R*EL!N) Si:pence or nothin. a da15 SN$): &e cou-d not ha,e scaped it5 BOOM (entering) #here are these -ads6 &E O&ERS Bottom9 BOOM: #here are these hearts6 &E O&ERS most coura.eous da19 Bottom9 BOOM: Masters, ! am to discourse 0onders: but ask me not 0hat5 &E O&ERS Let us hear, s0eet Bottom5 BOOM: Not a 0ord o/ me5 "-- that ! 0i-- te-- 1ou is, that the duke hath dined and our p-a1 is pre/erred5 &E O&ERS Our p-a1 is pre/erred5 Most dear actors .et 1our appare- to.ether, .ood strin.s to 1our beards, ne0 ribbons to 1our pumps3 and e,er1 man -ook o2er his part5 Let hisb1 ha,e c-ean -inen3 -et not the -ion pare his nai-s3 eat no onions no .ar-ic, no onions, that a-- ma1 sa1: !t is a s0eet comed15 BOOM: No more 0ords, no more 0ords5 &E O&ERS !t is a s0eet comed1 BOOM (pushes the out) o the Pa-ace, .o, a0a15 &E O&ERS !t is a s0eet comed15 BOOM )o, .o a0a1, .o9 (The" all lea)e e&citedl". The lights go down on the wood and up again in Theseus/ palace. Enter Theseus and 'ippol"ta with their court.) $rchestral March &ESE$S No0, /air &ippo-1ta, our nuptia- hour dra0s on apace3 this happ1 da1 brin. in "nother moon: but, O, methinks, ho0 s-o0 this o-d moon 0anes9 she -in.ers m1 desires, -ike to a step7dame or a do0a.er -on. 0itherin. out a 1oun. man2s re,enne05 &!PPOL8" his da1 0i-- 4uick-1 steep itse-/ in ni.ht3 his ni.ht 0i-- 4uick-1 dream a0a1 the time3 "nd then the moon, -ike to a si-,er bo0 Ne07bent in hea,en, sha-- beho-d the ni.ht O/ our so-emnities5 &ESE$S &ippo-1ta, ! 0oo2d thee 0ith m1 s0ord, and 0on th1 -o,e, doin. thee injuries3 but ! 0i-- 0ed thee in another ke1, 0ith pomp, 0ith triumph and 0ith re,e--in.5 (Enter ("sander, Deetrius, 'elena and 'eria. The" !neel to Theseus) "LL (O$R Pardon, m1 Lord5 &ESE$S ! pra1 1ou a-- stand up5 (The" rise.) ! kno0 1ou t0o are ri,a- enemies: &o0 comes this .ent-e concord in the 0or-d6 L8S"N%ER M1 -ord, ! sha-- rep-1 ama;ed-1, ! 0ent 0ith &ermia hither: our intent 0as to be .one /rom "thens, 0here 0e mi.ht, 0ithout the peri- o/ the "thenian -a05 %EMER!$S M1 -ord, /air &e-en to-d me o/ their stea-th, o/ this their purpose hither to this 0ood3 and ! in /ur1 hither /o--o02d them, (air &e-ena in /anc1 /o--o0in. me5 But, m1 .ood -ord555 &ESE$S (air -o,ers, o/ this discourse 0e more 0i-- hear anon5 &ermia, ! 0i-- o,erbear 1our /ather2s 0i--3 /or in the temp-e b1 and b1 0ith us hese coup-es sha-- eterna--1 be knit5 &ESE$S, &!PPOL8" =o1, .ent-e /riends9 =o1 and /resh da1s o/ -o,e accompan1 1our hearts9 (The lo)ers ebrace.) &ESE$S Come no03 0hat mas4ues, 0hat dances sha-- 0e ha,e, o 0ear a0a1 this -on. a.e o/ three hours bet0een our a/ter7supper, and bed7time6 (Enter 3uince with pla" bill. 'e hands it to 'ippol"ta and bows.) &!PPOL8" (reading) " tedious brie/ scene o/ 1oun. P1ramus and his -o,e hisb13 ,er1 tra.ica- mirth5 %EMER!$S Merr1 and tra.ica-6 tedious and brie/6 L8S"N%ER hat is, hot ice and 0ondrous stran.e sno05 &ESE$S #hat are the1 that do p-a1 it6 &!PPOL8" &ard7handed men that 0ork in "thens here, 0hich ne,er -abour2d in their minds ti-- no05 &ESE$S ! 0i-- hear that p-a15 (E&it 3uince.) (or ne,er an1thin. can be amiss, 0hen simp-eness and dut1 tender it5 ake 1our p-aces, -adies5 (Enter the rustics.) R$S!CS !/ 0e o//end, it is 0ith our .ood 0i--5 hat 1ou shou-d think, 0e come not to o//end, but 0ith .ood 0i--5 o sho0 our simp-e ski--, that is the true be.innin. o/ our end5 Consider then 0e come but in despite5 #e do not come as mindin. to content 1ou, our true intent is5 "-- /or 1our de-i.ht 0e are not here5 hat 1ou shou-d here repent 1ou, the actors are at hand and b1 their sho0 1ou sha-- kno0 a-- that 1ou are -ike to kno05 &ESE$S his /e--o0 doth not stand upon points5 &!PPOL8" heir speech 0as -ike a tan.-ed chain, nothin. impaired, but a-- disordered5 L8S"N%ER he1 hath rid his pro-o.ue -ike a rou.h co-t3 the1 kno0s not the stop5 %EMER!$S !ndeed the1 hath p-a1ed on his pro-o.ue -ike a chi-d on a recorder5 &ELEN" " sound, but not in .o,ernment5 &ERM!" !t is not enou.h to speak, but to speak true5 PROLO)$E >'uince? )ent-es555 )ent-es555 &ESE$S #ho is ne:t6 PROLO)$E )ent-es, perchance 1ou 0onder at this sho03 but 0onder on, ti-- truth make a-- thin.s p-ain5 his man is P1ramus, i/ 1ou 0ou-d kno03 this beauteous -ad1 hisb1 is certain5 his man, 0ith -ime and rou.h7cast, doth present #a--, that ,i-e #a-- 0hich did these -o,ers sunder3 this man, 0ith -anthorn, do., and bush o/ thorn, presenteth Moonshine3 this .ris-1 beast, is Lion hi.ht b1 name5 (or a-- the rest, -et Lion, Moonshine, #a--, and -o,ers t0ain at -ar.e discourse, 0hi-e here the1 do remain5 (E&eunt all but 4all.) &ELEN" ! 0onder i/ the -ion be to speak5 %EMER!$S No 0onder, m1 -ord: one -ion ma1, 0hen man1 asses do5 #"LL >Snout? !n this same inter-ude it doth be/a-- that !, one Snout b1 name, present a 0a--3 and such a 0a--, as ! 0ou-d ha,e 1ou think, that had in it a crannied ho-e or chink, ('e holds up two fingers.) "nd this the crann1 is, ri.ht and sinister, throu.h 0hich the /ear/u- -o,ers are to 0hisper5 &ERM!" #ou-d 1ou desire -ime and hair to sin. better6 L8S"N%ER !t is the 0ittiest partition that e,er ! heard discourse5 &ESE$S P1ramus dra0s near the 0a--: si-ence9 (Enter P"raus.) P8R"M$S (2otto) )rim7-ook2d ni.ht9 O ni.ht 0ith hue so b-ack9 ni.ht, 0hich e,er art 0hen da1 is not9 ni.ht, O ni.ht9 a-ack, a-ack, a-ack, ! /ear m1 hisb12s promise is /or.ot9 "nd thou, o 0a--, o s0eet, o -o,e-1 0a--, that stand2st bet0een her /ather2s .round and mine9 hou 0a--, o 0a--, o s0eet and -o,e-1 0a--, sho0 me th1 chink, to b-ink throu.h 0ith mine e1e9 hanks, courteous 0a--: =o,e shie-d thee 0e-- /or this9 But 0hat see !6 No hisb1 do ! see5 #icked 0a--, throu.h 0hom ! see no b-iss9 Cursed be th1 stones /or thus decei,in. me9 &ESE$S he 0a--, methinks, bein. sensib-e, shou-d curse a.ain5 BOOM (to theseus) No, in truth, sir, he shou-d not5 <%ecei,in. me< is hisb12s cue3 1onder she comes5 (Enter Thisb".) &!SB8 (Flute) #a--, /u-- o/ten hast thou heard m1 moans, /or partin. m1 /air P1ramus and me9 M1 cherr1 -ips ha,e o/ten kiss2d th1 stones, th1 stones 0ith -ime and hair knit up in thee5 P8R"M$S ! see a ,oice: no0 0i-- ! to the chink, to sp1 an ! can hear m1 hisb12s /ace5 hisb19 &!SB8 M1 -o,e thou art, m1 -o,e ! think5 P8R"M$S hink 0hat thou 0i-t, ! am th1 -o,er2s .race5 &!SB8 M1 -o,e thou art, m1 -o,e ! think5 P8R"M$S hink 0hat thou 0i-t: O, kiss me throu.h the ho-e o/ this ,i-e 0a--9 kiss me5 (The" !iss.) &!SB8 ! kiss the 0a--2s ho-e, not 1our -ips at a--5 P8R"M$S Oh, 0i-t thou at Ninn12s tomb meet me strai.ht0a16 (E&it.) &!SB8 2ide -i/e, tide death, ! come 0ithout de-a15 (E&it.) #"LL hus ha,e !, #a--, m1 part dischar.ed so3 and, bein. done, thus #a-- a0a1 doth .o, a0a1, a0a1, a0a1 doth .o5 (E&it.) &!PPOL8" his is the si--iest stu// that e,er ! heard5 &ESE$S he best in this kind are but shado0s3 and the 0orst are no 0orse, i/ ima.ination amend them5 &ere come t0o nob-e beasts in, a man and a -ion5 (Enter (ion and Moonshine.) L!ON >Snu.? 8ou, -adies, 1ou, 0hose .ent-e hearts do /ear, the sma--est monstrous mouse that creeps on /-oor, shou-d kno0 that !, one Snu. the joiner, am a -ion7/e--, nor e-se no -ion2s dam5 &ERM!" " ,er1 .ent-e beast, and o/ a .ood conscience5 %EMER!$S he ,er1 best at a beast that e2er ! sa05 &ESE$S But -et us -isten to the Moon5 MOONS&!NE (*tar)eling) his -anthorn doth the horned moon present5 L8S"N%ER &e shou-d ha,e 0orn the horns on his head5 MOONS&!NE !, m1se-/ the man i2 th2 Moon do seem to be5 &ESE$S he man shou-d be put into the -anthorn5 &o0 is it e-se the man i2th2 Moon6 MOONS&!NE his -anthorn doth the horn555 %EMER!$S &e dares not come there /or the cand-e5 &ESE$S Proceed Moon5 MOONS&!NE "-- ! ha,e o te-- 1ou that this -anthorn is the moon3 !, the man i2th2 Moon3 this thorn7bush, m1 thorn7bush3 and this do., m1 do.5 &!PPOL8" ! am 0ear1 o/ this moon: 0ou-d he 0ou-d chan.e9 "LL But si-ence3 here comes hisb15 (Enter Thisb".) &!SB8 his is o-d Ninn12s tomb5 #here is m1 -o,e6 L!ON Oh9 Oh9 Oh9 Oh9 ((ion chases Thisb" out. *he drops her antle.) %EMER!$S #e-- roared, Lion5 &ESE$S #e-- run, hisb15 L8S"N%ER #e-- moused, Lion5 &!PPOL8" #e-- run, hisb15 &ELEN" #e-- shone, Moon5 (Enter P"raus.) P8R"M$S S0eet Moon, ! thank thee /or th1 sunn1 beams3 ! thank thee, Moon, /or shinin. no0 so bri.ht3 but sta1, O spite9 But mark, poor kni.ht, 0hat dread/u- do-e is here6 E1es, do 1ou see6 &o0 can it be9 daint1 duck9 O dear9 h1 mant-e .ood, 0hat, stain2d 0ith b-ood9 "pproach, 1e (uries /e--9 (ates, come, come, cut thread and thrum3 4uai-, crush, conc-ude, and 4ue--9 &!PPOL8" Beshre0 m1 heart, but ! pit1 the man5 P8R"M$S 0here/ore, Nature, didst thou -ions /rame6 Since -ion ,i-e hath here de/-o0er2d m1 dear 0hich is: no, no, 0hich 0as the /airest dame that -i,ed, that -o,ed, that -iked, that -ook2d 0ith cheer5 Come, tears, con/ound3 out, s0ord, and 0ound the pap o/ P1ramus3 thus die !, thus, thus, thus5 No0 am ! dead, no0 am ! /-ed3 m1 sou- is in the sk1: ton.ue, -ose th1 -i.ht3 Moon take th1 /-i.ht: (E&it Moonshine.) No0 die, die, die, die, die5 ('e dies.) %EMER!$S #ith the he-p o/ a sur.eon he mi.ht 1et reco,er, and pro,e an ass5 (Enter Thisb".) &ESE$S &ere hisb1 comes, and her passion ends the p-a15 &!PPOL8" ! hope she 0i-- be brie/5 &!SB8 "s-eep, m1 -o,e6 #hat, dead, m1 do,e6 P1ramus, arise9 Speak, speak5 'uite dumb6 %ead, dead6 " tomb must co,er th1 s0eet e1es5 hese -i-1 -ips, this cherr1 nose, these 1e--o0 co0s-ip cheeks, are .one, are .one: Lo,ers, make moan: &is e1es 0ere .reen as -eeks5 on.ue, not a 0ord: Come, trust1 s0ord3 come, b-ade, m1 breast imbrue: "nd, /are0e--, /riends3 thus hisb1 ends: (*he stabs herself.) "dieu, adieu, adieu5 &ESE$S Moonshine and Lion are -e/t to bur1 the dead5 L8S"N%ER "1, and #a-- too5 BOOM >raisin. himse-/? No, ! assure 1ou3 the 0a-- is do0n that parted their /athers5 (2otto and Flute get up.) #i-- it p-ease 1ou to see the epi-o.ue, or to hear a Ber.omask dance6 &ESE$S No epi-o.ue, ! pra1 1ou3 /or 1our p-a1 needs no e:cuse5 Come, 1our Ber.omask: (The other 0ustics coe in and arrange thesel)es for the dance. The" dance. Midnight sounds. The rustics stop dancing, bow deepl" to the Du!e. 'ippol"ta and the court, and lea)e. The others rise.) &ESE$S he iron ton.ue o/ midni.ht hath to-d t0e-,e: Lo,ers, to bed3 2tis a-most /air1 time5 ! /ear 0e sha-- out7s-eep the comin. morn as much as 0e this ni.ht ha,e o,er0atch2d5 S0eet /riends, to bed5 "LL S0eet /riends, to bed5 (Enter Cobweb, Mustarseed, Peaseblosso, and Moth.) (O$R SOLO ("!R!ES No0 the hun.r1 -ion roars, and the 0o-/ beho0-s the moon3 0hi-st the hea,1 p-ou.hman snores, a-- 0ith 0ear1 task /ordone5 No0 the 0asted brands do .-o0, 0hi-st the screech7o0-, screechin. -oud, puts the 0retch that -ies in 0oe in remembrance o/ a shroud5 No0 it is the time o/ ni.ht that the .ra,es a-- .apin. 0ide, e,er1 one -ets /orth his sprite, in the church70a1 paths to .-ide: "nd 0e /airies, that do run b1 the trip-e &ecate2s team, /rom the presence o/ the sun, /o--o0in. darkness -ike a dream, no0 are /ro-ic: not a mouse sha-- disturb this ha--o02d house5 (Puc! arri)es with a broo and chases the Fairies.) P$C+ ! am sent 0ith broom be/ore, to s0eep the dust behind the door5 ($beron and T"tania and the other Fairies appear.) OBERON hrou.h the house .i,e .-immerin. -i.ht, e,er1 e-/ and /air1 sprite sin. this ditt1, a/ter me, sin., and dance it trippin.-15 8"N!" (irst, rehearse 1our son. b1 rote to each 0ord a 0arb-in. note5 BO& &and in hand, 0ith /air1 .race, #i-- 0e sin., and b-ess this p-ace5 OBERON, 8"N!", ("!R!ES No0, unti- the break o/ da1, throu.h this house each /air1 stra15 o the best bride7bed 0i-- 0e, 0hich b1 us sha-- b-essed be3 and the issue there create e,er sha-- be /ortunate5 So sha-- a-- the coup-es three e,er true in -o,in. be5 #ith this /ie-d7de0 consecrate, e,er1 /air1 take his .ait3 and each se,era- chamber b-ess, throu.h this pa-ace, 0ith s0eet peace3 e,er sha-- in sa/et1 rest, and the o0ner o/ it b-est5 OBERON rip a0a13 make no sta13 meet me a-- b1 break o/ da15 (E&eunt all but Puc!.) P$C+ !/ 0e shado0s ha,e o//ended, think but this, and a-- is mended, that 1ou ha,e but s-umber2d here 0hi-e these ,isions did appear5 )ent-es, do not reprehend: !/ 1ou pardon, 0e 0i-- mend: E-se the Puck a -iar ca--3 so, .ood ni.ht unto 1ou a--5 )i,e me 1our hands, i/ 0e be /riends, and Robin sha-- restore amends5 ('e claps his hands.) &E E N%