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SCENE II


[Enter PUCK.]


PUCK
    Now the hungry lion roars,
      And the wolf behowls the moon;
    Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,
      All with weary task fordone.
    Now the wasted brands do glow,
      Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud,
    Puts the wretch that lies in woe
      In remembrance of a shroud.
    Now it is the time of night
      That the graves, all gaping wide,
    Every one lets forth its sprite,
      In the church-way paths to glide:
    And we fairies, that do run
      By the triple Hecate's team
    From the presence of the sun,
      Following darkness like a dream,
    Now are frolic; not a mouse
      Shall disturb this hallow'd house:
    I am sent with broom before,
      To sweep the dust behind the door.


[Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with their Train.]


OBERON
      Through the house give glimmering light,
        By the dead and drowsy fire:
    Every elf and fairy sprite
        Hop as light as bird from brier:
    And this ditty, after me,
    Sing and dance it trippingly.


TITANIA
    First, rehearse your song by rote,
        To each word a warbling not,;
    Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
    Will we sing, and bless this place.


[Song and Dance.]


OBERON
    Now, until the break of day,
    Through this house each fairy stray,
    To the best bride-bed will we,
    Which by us shall blessed be;
    And the issue there create
    Ever shall be fortunate.
    So shall all the couples three
    Ever true in loving be;
    And the blots of Nature's hand
    Shall not in their issue stand:
    Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar,
    Nor mark prodigious, such as are
    Despised in nativity,
    Shall upon their children be.--
    With this field-dew consecrate,
    Every fairy take his gate;
    And each several chamber bless,
    Through this palace, with sweet peace;
    E'er shall it in safety rest,
    And the owner of it blest.
        Trip away:
        Make no stay:
    Meet me all by break of day.


[Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and Train.]


PUCK
    If we shadows have offended,
    Think but this,--and all is mended,--
    That you have but slumber'd here
    While these visions did appear.
    And this weak and idle theme,
    No more yielding but a dream,
    Gentles, do not reprehend;
    If you pardon, we will mend.
    And, as I am an honest Puck,
    If we have unearned luck
    Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
    We will make amends ere long;
    Else the Puck a liar call:
    So, good night unto you all.
    Give me your hands, if we be friends,
    And Robin shall restore amends.


[Exit.]


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