"WHERE THE BEE SUCKS"

WHERE the bee sucks, there suck I:
In a cowslip's bell I lie;
There I couch when owls do cry.
On the bat's back I do fly

After summer merrily.
Merrily, merrily shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough.

William Shakespeare

EPILOGUE TO MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

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: 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 their train.

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.

William Shakespeare

"COME UNTO THESE YELLOW SANDS"

COME unto these yellow sands,

And then take hands: Courtsied when you have and kiss'd

The wild waves whist,
Foot it featly here and there;
And, sweet sprites, the burthen bear.
Hark, hark!

Bow-wow.
The watch-dogs bark:

Bow-wow.
Hark, hark! I hear
The strain of strutting chanticleer
Cry, Cock-a-diddle-dow.

William Shakespeare

“FULL FATHOM FIVE"

FULL fathom five thy father lies;

Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes: Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange. Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:

Ding-dong. Hark! now I hear them,-Ding-dong, bell

William Shakespeare