Internet Shakespeare Editions

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Not Peer Reviewed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.