Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

About this text

  • Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: Suzanne Westfall
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-465-3

    Copyright Suzanne Westfall. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Suzanne Westfall
    Not Peer Reviewed

    A Midsummer Night's Dream (Quarto 1, 1600)

    A Midsommer nightes dreame.
    1480Abate thy houres, shine comforts, from the east;
    That I may backe to Athens, by day light,
    From these that my poore company detest:
    And sleepe, that sometimes shuts vp sorrowes eye,
    Steale mee a while from mine owne companie. Sleepe.
    1485Rob. Yet but three? Come one more.
    Two of both kindes makes vp fower.
    Heare shee comes, curst and sadde.
    Cupid is a knauish ladde,
    1490Thus to make poore females madde.
    Her. Neuer so weary, neuer so in woe,
    Bedabbled with the deaw, and torne with briers:
    I can no further crawle, no further goe:
    My legges can keepe no pase with my desires.
    1495Here will I rest mee, till the breake of day:
    Heauens shielde Lysander, if they meane a fray.
    Rob. On the ground, sleepe sound:
    Ile apply your eye, gentle louer, remedy.
    When thou wak'st, thou tak'st
    1500True delight, in the sight, of thy former ladies eye:
    And the country prouerbe knowne,
    That euery man should take his owne,
    In your waking shall be showen.
    Iacke shall haue Iill: nought shall goe ill:
    1505The man shall haue his mare again, & all shall be well.
    Enter Queene of Faieries, and Clowne, and Faieries: and
    1510the king behinde them.
    Tita. Come sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed,
    While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy,
    And stick musk roses in thy sleeke smooth head,
    And kisse thy faire large eares, my gentle ioy.
    1515Clown. Where's Pease-blossome?
    Pea. Ready.
    Clow. Scratch my heade, Pease-blossome. Wher's Moun-
    sieur Cobweb? Cob. Ready.
    Clo.