Page 2700 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1
P. 2700
More witnesseth than fancy’s images, [25]
And grows to something of great constancy;
But howsoever, strange and admirable.
Enter the lovers; Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, and Helena.
T HESEUS
Here come the lovers, full of joy and mirth.
Joy, gentle friends, joy and fresh days of love
Accompany your hearts!
LY SANDER
More than to us [30]
Wait in your royal walks, your board, your bed!
T HESEUS
Come now; what masques, what dances shall we have,
To wear away this long age of three hours
Between our after-supper and bed-time?
Where is our usual manager of mirth? [35]
What revels are in hand? Is there no play
To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?
Call Philostrate.
PHILOST RAT E
(advancing)
Here, mighty Theseus.
T HESEUS
Say, what abridgement have you for this evening,
What masque, what music? How shall we beguile [40]
The lazy time, if not with some delight?
PHILOST RAT E
There is a brief how many sports are ripe:
Make choice of which your Highness will see first.
(Giving a paper.)
T HESEUS
(reads)
