Puck.
Now the hungry lion roars^{5 note}

Whilst the heavy ploughman snores,
  All with weary task fordone^{7 note}

Now the wasted brands do glow,
  Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud,
Puts the wretch, that lies in woe,
  In remembrance of a shroud.
Now it is the time of night^{8 note}

,
  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 Hecat's team,
From the presence of the sun,
  Following darkness like a dream,
Now are frolick; not a mouse
Shall disturb this hallow'd house:
I am sent, with broom, before,
To sweep the dust behind the door^{9 note}

Enter Oberon and Titania, with their Train.

Obe.
Through this house give glimmering light^{1 note}

Tita.
First, rehearse this* ^note 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^{3 note}

To the best bride-bed will we,
Which by us shall blessed be^{4 note}

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^{5 note}, nor scar,
Nor mark prodigious^{6 note}

, such as are
Despised in nativity,
Shall upon their children be.—

With this field-dew consecrate,
Every fairy take his gait^{7 note}