SCENE III.
Enter Four Fairies.
1 Fair.
Ready.
2 Fair.
And I.
3 Fair.
And I.
4 Fair.
And I: where shall we go?
Queen.
Be kind and courteous to this gentleman;
Hop in his walks, and gambole in his eyes;
Feed him with apricocks and dewberries,
With purple grapes, green figs and mulberries,
The honey-bags steal from the humble bees,
-- 132 --
And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs,
And light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes,6 note
To have my love to bed, and to arise:
And pluck the wings from painted butterflies,
To fan the moon-beams from his sleeping eyes;
Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies.
1 Fair.
Hail, mortal, hail!
2 Fair.
Hail!—
3 Fair.
Hail!—6Q0014
Bot.
I cry your worship's mercy heartily; I beseech,
your worship's name.
Cob.
Cobweb.
Bot.
I shall desire of you more acquaintance, good
master Cobweb; if I cut my finger, I shall make bold
with you. Your name, honest gentleman.
Pease.
Peaseblossom.
Bot.
I pray you, commend me to mistress Squash
your mother, and to master Peascod your father. Good
master Peaseblossom, I shall desire of you more acquaintance
too. Your name, I beseech you, Sir.
Mus.
Mustardseed.
Bot.
Good master Mustardseed, I know your 7 notepatience
well: that same cowardly giant-like Ox-beef
hath devour'd many a gentleman of your house. I
promise you, your kindred hath made my eyes water
ere now. I desire more of your acquaintance, good
master Mustardseed.
Queen.
Come, wait upon him, lead him to my bower.
The moon, methinks, looks with a watry eye;
And when she weeps, weep ev'ry little flower,
Lamenting some enforced chastity!
Tie up my love's tongue, bring him silently.
[Exeunt.
-- 133 --
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].