The. Moonshine, and lion are left to bury the dead. Dem. Ay, and wall to. [Dies. Bot. No, I assure you; the wall is down that parted their fathers. Will it please you to see the epilogue, or to hear a Bergomask dance, between two of our company? The. No epilogue, I pray you; for your play needs no excuse. Never excuse; for when the players are all dead, there need none to be blamed. Marry, if he that writ it, had play'd Pyramus, and hang'd himself in Thisbe's garter, it would have been a fine tragedy: and so it is, truly; and very notably discharged. But come, your Bergomask: let your epilogue alone. [Here a dance of Clowns. The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve :- I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn, In nightly revels, and new jollity. SCENE II-Enter PUCK. Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud, That the graves all gaping wide, By the triple Hecat's team, To sweep the dust behind the door. Enter OBERON and TITANIA, with their Train. Every elf, and fairy sprite, Hop as light as bird from brier; * Progress. + Overcome. [Exeunt. And this ditty after me, Sing and dance it trippingly. Tita. First, rehearse this song by rote; Hand in hand, with fairy grace, Obe. Now, until the break of day, So shall all the couples three And the blots of nature's hand Shall upon their children be.- 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; 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), Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, * Portentous. [Exit. + Way. SCENE I.-Navarre. A Park, with a Palace in it. Enter the KING, BIRON, LONGAVILLE, and DUMAIN. King. Let fame, that all hunt after in their lives, Live register'd upon our brazen tombs, And then grace us in the disgrace of death; When, spite of cormorant devouring time, The endeavour of this present breath may buy That honour, which shall bate his scythe's keen edge, Therefore, brave conquerors!--for so you are, And the huge army of the world's desires,- Your oaths are pass'd, and now subscribe your names; If you are arm'd to do, as sworn to do, Biron. I can but say their protestation over, King. Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these And stay here in your court for three years' space. King. Why, that to know, which else we should not know. Biron. Things hid and barr'd, you mean, from common sense? King. Ay, that is study's god-like recompense. Biron. Come on then, I will swear to study so To know the thing I am forbid to know: Or, study where to meet some mistress fine, *I. e. the king, Biron, &c. } King. These be the stops that hinder study quite, Biron. Why, all delights are vain; but that most vain, To seek the light of truth; while truth the while Light, seeking light, doth light of light beguile : Who dazzling so, that eye shall be his heed,t That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks; Have no more profit of their shining nights, Than those that walk, and wot not what they are. King. How well he's read, to reason against reading! Long. He weeds the corn, and still lets grow the weeding. Biron. The spring is near, when green geese are a-breeding. Dum. How follows that? Biron. Fit in his place and time. Dum. In reason nothing. Biron. Something then in rhyme. Long. Biron is like an envious sneapingt frost, That bites the first-born infants of the spring. Biron. Well, say I am; why should proud summer boast, Before the birds have any cause to sing? Why should I joy in an abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May's new fangled shows;§ So you, to study now it is too late, Climb o'er the house to unlock the little gate. ;} King. Well, sit you out: go home, Biron; adieu! Biron. No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay with you: And, though I have for barbarism spoke more, Than for that angel knowledge you can say, Yet, confident I'll keep what I have swore, And bide the penance of each three years' day, Give me the paper, let me read the same; King. How well this yielding rescues thee from shame + Direction, aim. + Nipping. A term of the card-table: give up your place. |