Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Suzanne Westfall
Not Peer Reviewed

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

A Midsommer nightes dreame.
Lys. Lesse then an ace, man. For he is dead, he is nothing.
Duke. With the helpe of a Surgeon, he might yet reco-
uer, and yet prooue an Asse.
2105Dut. How chance Moone-shine is gone before? Thisby
comes backe, and findes her louer.
Duk. Shee will finde him, by starre-light. Here shee
comes, and her passion ends the Play.
2110Dut. Me thinkes, she should not vse a long one, for such
a Pyramus: I hope, she will be briefe.
Demet. A moth will turne the ballance; which Pyramus,
which Thisby is the better: he for a man; God warnd vs:
she, for a woman; God blesse vs.
Lys. She hath spied him already, with those sweete eyes.
2115Deme. And thus she meanes, videlicet;
This. A sleepe my loue? What, dead my doue?
O Pyramus, arise,
Speake, speake. Quite dumbe? Dead, dead? A tumbe
Must couer thy sweete eyes.
2120These lilly lippes, this cherry nose,
These yellow cowslippe cheekes
Are gon, are gon: louers make mone:
His eyes were greene, as leekes.
O sisters three, come, come, to mee,
2125With hands as pale as milke,
Lay them in gore, since you haue shore
With sheeres, his threede of silke.
Tongue, not a word: come trusty sword,
Come blade, my breast imbrew:
2130And farewell friends: thus Thysby ends:
Adieu, adieu, adieu.
Duke. Moone-shine and Lyon are left to bury the dead.
Deme. I, and Wall to.
Lyon. No, I assure you, the wall is downe, that parted
2135their fathers. Will it please you, to see the Epilogue, or to
heare a Bergomaske daunce, between two of our cōpany?
Duke