OBERON I pray thee give it me.
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows254,
Where oxlips255 and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine256,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine257:
There sleeps Titania sometime258 of the night,
Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight:
And there the snake throws260 her enamelled skin,
Weed261 wide enough to wrap a fairy in.
And with the juice of this I'll streak her eyes,
And make her full of hateful fantasies.
Take thou some of it, and seek through this grove;
Gives him some juice
A sweet Athenian lady is in love
With a disdainful youth: anoint his eyes,
But do it when the next thing he espies
May be the lady. Thou shalt know the man
By the Athenian garments he hath on.
Effect it with some care, that he may prove
More fond on271 her than she upon her love;
And look thou meet me ere the first cock crow.
ROBIN Fear not, my lord, your servant shall do so.
Exeunt
[Act 2 Scene 2]
running scene 4
Enter Queen of Fairies [Titania] with her train
TITANIA Come, now a roundel1 and a fairy song;
Then, for the third part of a minute, hence:
Some to kill cankers3 in the musk-rose buds,
Some war with reremice for their leathern4 wings,