And farewell, friends.

Thus Thisby ends:

Adieu, adieu, adieu."

THESEUS. Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead.

DEMETRIUS. Ay, and Wall too.

[Dies.

BOTTOM. 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?

THESEUS. 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 hung himself in Thisbe's garter, it would have been a fine tragedy; and so it is, truly, and very notably discharg'd. But come, your Bergomask: let your epilogue alone.

[A dance by two of the Clowns. The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. Lovers, to bed: 't is almost fairy-time.

I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn,

As much as we this night have overwatch'd.
This palpable gross play hath well beguil'd

The heavy gait of night.-Sweet friends, to bed. —
A fortnight hold we this solemnity,

In nightly revels and new jollity.

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 screech-owl, screeching 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 his sprite,

In the church-way paths to glide :

[Exeunt.

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 all their Train.

OBERON.

Though 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.

Every fairy take his gait,

And each several chamber bless,

Through this palace, with sweet peace;

And the owner of it, blest,

Ever shall in safety rest.

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.