Obe.
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.
Tita.
First, rehearse your song by rote,
To each word a warbling note.
Hand in hand, with fairy grace,
Will we sing, and bless this place.
[Song and dance.]
Obe.
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 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 slumb’red 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.]
¶
William Shakespeare
THE MERCHANT
OF VENICE
( 1596–1597 )
Quarto, 1600; First Folio, 1623.
merchant
¶
Act I
Act II
Sc. I Sc. II Sc. III Sc. IV Sc. V Sc. VI Sc. VII Sc. VIII Sc. IX
Act III
Sc. I Sc. II Sc. III Sc. IV Sc. V
Act IV
Sc. I Sc. II
Act V
Sc. I
[Dramatis Personae
The Duke of Venice
The Prince of Morocco,
The Prince of Arragon, suitors to Portia
Antonio, a merchant of Venice
Bassanio, his friend, suitor to Portia
Solanio,
Gratiano,
Salerio, friends to Antonio and Bassanio
Lorenzo, in love with Jessica
Shylock, a rich Jew
Tubal, a
