Act 1, Scene 1 - Video Performance: Theseus, Hippolyta, and Philostrate, Lines 1-19

Theseus, Hippolyta, and Philostrate, Lines 1-19

Performance Videos

Act 1,

Scene 1

Lines 1-19

A performance of lines 1-19 by Theseus, Hippolyta, and Philostrate in Act 1, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

myShakespeare | Midsummer Night's Dream 1.1 Performance: Theseus, Hippolyta, Philostrate Lines 1-19

[Ancient Athens. Enter Duke Theseus, ruler of Athens; Hippolyta, his soon to be wife; Philostrate, a nobleman; and various attendants]

Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour

Draws on apace. Four happy days bring in

Another moon — but, Oh, methinks how slow

This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires,

Like to a stepdame or a dowager

Long withering out a young man’s revenue.

Four days will quickly steep themselves in night;

Four nights will quickly dream away the time;

And then the moon, like to a silver bow

New bent in heaven, shall behold the night

Of our solemnities.

Go, Philostrate,

Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments,

Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth,

Turn melancholy forth to funerals —

The pale companion is not for our pomp.

[Exit Philostrate]

Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword,

And won thy love doing thee injuries.

But I will wed thee in another key,

With pomp, with triumph, and with reveling.