SCENE III.
Enter Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseed, and 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,
And for night tapers crop their waxen thighs,
And light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes,
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.
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 Peasecod your father. Good master Peaseblossom,
I shall desire of you more acquaintance too. Your name
I beseech you, Sir?
-- 113 --
Mus.
Mustardseed.
Bot.
Good master Mustardseed, I know your patience 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.
George Sewell [1723–5], The works of Shakespear in six [seven] volumes. Collated and Corrected by the former Editions, By Mr. Pope ([Vol. 7] Printed by J. Darby, for A. Bettesworth [and] F. Fayram [etc.], London) [word count] [S11101].