A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM. ACT I. SCENE I. Athens. A Room in the Palace of THESEUS. Enter THESEUS, HIPPOLYTA, PHILOSTRATE, and Attendants. THESEUS. Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Draws on apace: four happy days bring in Like to a step-dame, or a dowager, Long withering out a young man's revenue. HIPPOLYTA. Four days will quickly steep themselves in nights; Four nights will quickly dream away the time; And then the moon, like to a silver bow New bent in heaven, shall behold the night THESEUS. Go, Philostrate, Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments; [Exit PHILOSTRATE. Hippolyta, I woo'd thee with my sword, With pomp, with triumph, and with revelling. Enter EGEUS, HERMIA, LYSANDER, and DEMETRIUS. EGEUS. Happy be Theseus, our renowned Duke! THESEUS. Thanks, good Egeus: what's the news with thee? EGEUS. Full of vexation come I, with complaint Stand forth, Lysander: and, my gracious Duke, Consent to marry with Demetrius, I beg the ancient privilege of Athens, As she is mine, I may dispose of her, THESEUS. What say you, Hermia? be advis'd, fair maid. So is Lysander. HERMIA. But, in this kind THESEUS. In himself he is; wanting your father's voice The other must be held the worthier. HERMIA. I would my father look'd but with my eyes! THESEUS. Rather your eyes must with his judgment look. HERMIA. I do entreat your Grace to pardon me. I know not by what power I am made bold, In such a presence here, to plead my thoughts; If I refuse to wed Demetrius. THESEUS. Either to die the death, or to abjure Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires; Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Than that which, withering on the virgin thorn, HERMIA. So will I grow, so live, so die, my lord, Ere I will yield my virgin patent up |