The. Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the 355

dead.

Dem. Ay, and Wall too.

[Bot. Starting up.] No, I assure you; the wall

is down that parted their fathers. Will it

please you to see the epilogue, or to hear a Ber- 360 gomask 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 played 365 Pyramus and hang'd 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.] The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. 370 Lovers, to bed; 'tis 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.

Enter Robin Goodfellow.

Robin. 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,

376 Exeunt.

Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud,

380

Obe.

Tita.

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 hallowed house.
I am sent with broom before,
To sweep the dust behind the door.

Enter Oberon and Titania with their train.

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.
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.

385

390

395

400

405

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

410

415

Meet me all by break of day.

Exeunt [Oberon, Titania, and train].

Robin. 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,

4.30

Give me your hands, if we be friends,