A Midsummer Night's Dream

Is, as in mockery, set. The spring, the summer,

The childing113 autumn, angry winter, change

Their wonted liveries, and the mazed114 world

By their increase115 now knows not which is which;

And this same progeny of evils comes

From our debate, from our dissension117:

We are their parents and original118.

OBERON Do you amend it then, it lies in you.

Why should Titania cross her Oberon?

I do but beg a little changeling boy

To be my henchman122.

TITANIA Set your heart at rest:

The fairy land buys not the child of me.

His mother was a votress125 of my order,

And in the spiced Indian air by night

Full127 often hath she gossiped by my side,

And sat with me on Neptune's128 yellow sands,

Marking th'embarked traders on the flood129,

When we have laughed to see the sails conceive

And grow big-bellied with the wanton131 wind,

Which she, with pretty and with swimming gait132

Following -- her womb then rich with my young squire --

Would imitate, and sail upon the land,

To fetch me trifles, and return again

As from a voyage, rich with merchandise.

But she, being mortal, of that boy137 did die:

And for her sake do I rear up her boy,

And for her sake I will not part with him.

OBERON How long within this wood intend you stay?

TITANIA Perchance141 till after Theseus' wedding day.