Theseus

Theseus
Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in
Another moon. But, O, methinks how slow
This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires
Like to a stepdame or a dowager
Long withering out a young man’s revenue.
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Theseus
Go, one of you, find out the Forester.
For now our observation is performed,
And, since we have the vaward of the day,
My love shall hear the music of my hounds.
Uncouple in the western valley; let them go.
Dispatch, I say, and find the Forester.
 A Servant exits.
We will,
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Demetrius
My lord, fair Helen told me of their stealth,
Of this their purpose hither to this wood,
And I in fury hither followed them,
Fair Helena in fancy following me.

And I have found Demetrius like a jewel,
Mine own and not mine own.

But, my good lord, I wot not by what power
(But by some power it is) my love to Hermia,
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Hippolyta
’Tis strange, my Theseus, that these lovers speak of.
Theseus
More strange than true. I never may believe
These antique fables nor these fairy toys.

The lunatic, the lover, and the poet
Are of imagination all compact.

Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,
Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend
More than cool reason ever comprehends.
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Theseus
Say what abridgment have you for this evening,
What masque, what music? How shall we beguile
The lazy time if not with some delight?
Philostrate, giving Theseus a paper
There is a brief how many sports are ripe.
Make choice of which your Highness will see first.

“Merry” and “tragical”?
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Philostrate
So please your Grace, the Prologue is addressed.
Theseus
Let him approach.

His speech was like a tangled chain—nothing
impaired, but all disordered.

 Enter the Prologue.
Prologue
If we offend, it is with our goodwill.
That you should think we come not to offend,
But with goodwill.
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Flute, as Thisbe
O wall, full often hast thou heard my moans
For parting my fair Pyramus and me.
My cherry lips have often kissed thy stones,
Thy stones with lime and hair knit up in thee.
Bottom, as Pyramus
I see a voice! Now will I to the chink
To spy an I can hear my Thisbe’s face.
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Snug, as Lion
You ladies, you whose gentle hearts do fear
The smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor,
May now perchance both quake and tremble here,
When lion rough in wildest rage doth roar.
Then know that I, as Snug the joiner, am
A lion fell, nor else no lion’s dam;
For if I should as lion come in strife
Into this place,
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Flute, as Thisbe
This is old Ninny’s tomb. Where is my love?
Snug, as Lion
O!
 The Lion roars.Thisbe runs off, dropping her mantle.
Demetrius
Well roared, Lion.
Theseus
Well run, Thisbe.

This passion, and the death of a dear friend,
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Hippolyta
How chance Moonshine is gone before
Thisbe comes back and finds her lover?
Theseus
She will find him by starlight.
  Enter Thisbe (Flute).
Here she comes, and her passion ends the play.
Hippolyta
Methinks she should not use a long one for
such a Pyramus. I hope she will be brief.
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