Opening Night - Queen Titania & Oberon Read....

Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream"

Act IV

(Enter OBERON and TITANIA with their train)

OBERON: Through the house give gathering light,

By the dead and drowsy fire:Every elf and fairy sprite

Hop as light as bird from brier; And this ditty, after me,

Sing, and dance it trippingly.

TITANIA: First, rehearse your song by rote

To each word a warbling note: Hand in hand, with fairy grace,

Will we sing, and bless this place. Song and dance

OBERON: Now, until the break of day, Through this house each fairy stray.

To the best bride-bed will we, Which by us shall blessed be;

And the issue there create

Ever shall be fortunate.

So shall all the couples three Ever true in loving be;

And the blots of Nature's hand Shall not in their issue stand;

Never mole, hare lip, nor scar, Nor mark prodigious, such as are

Despised in nativity, Shall upon their children be.

With this field-dew consecrate, Every fairy take his gait;

And each several chamber bless,

Through this palace, with sweet peace;

And the owner of it blest Ever shall in safety rest.

Trip away; make no stay; Meet me all by break of day. (Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and train)