Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, with others [Philostrate and attendants]
THESEUS Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace. Four happy days2 bring in
Another moon: but O, methinks, how slow
This old moon wanes; she lingers4 my desires,
Like to a stepdame or a dowager5
Long withering out a young man's revenue6.
HIPPOLYTA Four days will quickly steep7 themselves in nights,
Four nights will quickly dream away the time.
And then the moon, like to a silver bow9
New-bent10 in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities11.
THESEUS Go, Philostrate,
Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments,
Awake the pert14 and nimble spirit of mirth,
Turn melancholy forth to funerals:
The pale companion is not for our pomp16.
[Exit Philostrate]
Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword17,
And won thy love doing thee injuries18.
But I will wed thee in another key,
With pomp, with triumph20 and with revelling.
Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius
EGEUS Happy be Theseus, our renowned duke.
THESEUS Thanks, good Egeus: what's the news with thee?
EGEUS Full of vexation come I, with complaint
Against my child, my daughter Hermia.
Stand forth, Demetrius. My noble lord,
This man hath my consent to marry her.
Stand forth, Lysander. And my gracious duke,