OriginalTextVsTranslation

Robin
Hownow,spirit?Whitherwanderyou?

Robin
Heyfairy,whereareyougoing?

Fairy
Overhill,overdale,Thoroughbush,thorough
brier,Overpark,overpale,Thoroughflood,
thoroughfireIdowandereverywhere,Swifter
thanthemoonssphere.AndIservetheFairy
Queen,Todewherorbsuponthegreen.The
cowslipstallherpensionersbeIntheirgold
coatsspotsyouseeThoseberubies,fairy
favorsInthosefreckleslivetheirsavors.Imust
goseeksomedewdropshereAndhangapearl
ineverycowslipsear.Farewell,thoulobof
spirits.Illbegone.Ourqueenandallherelves
comehereanon.

Fairy
Igooverhills,overvalleys,through
bushesandthorns,overparksandfences,
throughfloodsandfire,Igoeverywhere,
veryfast.IworkfortheFairyQueen,collect
dewdropsandputthemontheplants.The
cowslipsareherpaidworkers,theyhave
spotsonthem,rubies,fromthefairies,the
frecklestheyhavesmellgood.Imustfind
somedewdropsnow,andhangapearlon
everycowslipflower.Goodbye,Imgoingto
go,Titaniaandherelveswillbeheresoon.

Robin
TheKingdothkeephisrevelsheretonight.Take
heedtheQueencomenotwithinhissight,For
OberonispassingfellandwrathBecausethat
she,asherattendant,hathAlovelyboystolen
fromanIndiankingSheneverhadsosweeta
changeling.AndjealousOberonwouldhavethe
childKnightofhistrain,totracetheforest'swild.
Butsheperforcewithholdsthelovdboy,
Crownshimwithflowers,andmakeshimallher
joy.Andnowtheynevermeetingroveorgreen,
Byfountainclear,orspangledstarlightsheen,
Buttheydosquare,thatalltheirelvesforfear
Creepintoacorncupsandhidethemthere.

Robin
Oberonhiscominghereaswell,makesure
thequeendoesntseehim,something
happenedandheismadather,Titanias
friendstolealovelyboyfromanIndian
king,shehadneverbeentoniceachild
before.Oberonisjealousandwantsthe
childforhimself,sohecouldtakehimon
adventuresintheforest.Butshedidntgive
uptheboy,shepampershimsandmakes
himhappyallday.Andnowtheyareina
fightandrefusetospeakwitheachother,if
thedothefightallthetime,thescarethe
fairiesasthehidebehindtheacorns.

Fairy
EitherImistakeyourshapeandmakingquite,
Orelseyouarethatshrewdandknavishsprite
CalledRobinGoodfellow.ArenotyouheThat
frightsthemaidensofthevillagery,Skimmilk,
andsometimeslaborinthequern.Andbootless
makethebreathlesshuswifechurn,And
sometimemakethedrinktobearnobarm,
Misleadnightwanderers,laughingattheirharm?
ThosethatHobgoblincallyou,andsweet
Puck,Youdotheirwork,andtheyshallhave
goodluck.Arenotyouhe?

Fairy
TellmeifImwrong,butareyouthat
mischievous,prankstertheycallRobin
Goodfellow?Areyouthatpersonthat
scarestheladiesinthevillage,stealsthe
creamofmilk,andstopthemilkfrom
turningintobutter?Andtheonewhomakes
thebearnothavethefoam,misleading
peoplewhowalkatnight,whileyoulaugh
atthem?SomecallyouHobgoblin,and
sweetPuck,youworkforthemandyou
willhavegoodluck.ArentyouthismanI
justdescribed?

Robin
Thouspeakestaright.Iamthatmerrywanderer
ofthenight.IjesttoOberonandmakehimsmile
WhenIafatandbeanfedhorsebeguile,
Neighinginlikenessofafillyfoal.Andsometime
lurkIinagossipsbowlInverylikenessofa
roastedcrab,And,whenshedrinks,againsther
lipsIbobAndonherwithereddewlappourthe
ale.Thewisestaunt,tellingthesaddesttale,
Sometimeforthreefootstoolmistaketh
meThenslipIfromherbum,downtopplesshe,
AndTailor!cries,andfallsintoacough,And
thenthewholechoirholdtheirhipsandloffeAnd
waxenintheirmirthandneezeandswearA
merrierhourwasneverwastedthere.Butroom,
fairy.HerecomesOberon.

Robin
Youarecorrect.Iamthatpersonthatwalks
inthenight.Iamcomedianthatworksfor
Oberonandmakehimlaugh.Itrickedafat,
wellfedhorseintothinkingIwasayoung
femalehorse.SometimesIhideinwomens
drinks,andwhentheytrytotakeasipI
touchherlip,makingherspillonherself.
Theoldestaunt,tryingtotellasadstory
sitsonmethinkingImathreeleggedchair,
thenshefallsdownonherbutt.Asshe
screamsandfalls,everyonestartslaughing
atherandmakesfunofherandlaughs
evenmore.Atimehasneverbeenmore
fun,butmovefairy,herecometheFairy
King,Oberon.

Fairy
Fairy
Andheremymistress.Wouldthatheweregone! AndherecomesTitania,heshouldwishhe
(EnterOberontheKingofFairiesatonedoor,
wasnthererightnow!
withhistrain,andTitaniatheQueenatanother,
withhers.)
Oberon
Illmetbymoonlight,proudTitania.

Oberon
Horribletoseeyou,Titania

Titania
What,jealousOberon?Fairies,skiphence.I
haveforswornhisbedandcompany.

Titania
AreyoujealousOberon?Fairies,let'sget
outtahere,Idonttosleeportalktohim.

Oberon
Tarry,rashwanton.AmnotIthylord?

Oberon
Holdon,arentyousupposedbelistening
toyourhusband?

Titania
ThenImustbethylady.ButIknowWhenthou
haststolenawayfromFairylandAndinthe
shapeofCorinsatalldayPlayingonpipesof
cornandversingloveToamorousPhillida.Why
artthouhere,Comefromthefartheststeepof
India,Butthat,forsooth,thebouncingAmazon,
Yourbuskinedmistressandyourwarriorlove,
ToTheseusmustbewedded,andyoucomeTo
givetheirbedjoyandprosperity?

Titania
Imustbeyourwifethen,butIremember
thattimeyousnuckoutofFairylandin
disguised,playingpipegameswhile
singinglovesongstoyournewgirlfriend
andtheladiesofthevillage.Whyareyou
evenhere?Youcameprettyfromhomefor
thatAmazonwomanofyours.Yourlover
andyourfightinglove,sheisgoingtomarry
Theseusandyouhavecometowhat?
Wishthemawellandprosperous
marriage?

Oberon
Howcanstthouthusforshame,Titania,Glance
atmycreditwithHippolyta,KnowingIknowthy
lovetoTheseus?Didstnotthouleadhim
throughtheglimmeringnightFrom(Perigouna),
whomheravishd,Andmakehimwithfair
(Aegles)breakhisfaith,WithAriadneand
Antiopa?

Oberon
Dontjustsitthereinnocently,Titania,
bringingupmyloveforHippolyta,whenwe
bothknowyouhavefeelingsforTheseus.
WerentyoutheonewholedPerigouna
throughthenight,justtoditchhimoutof
nowhere?AndtheonewhomadeAegles
haveaffairswithbothAriadneand
Antiopa?

Titania
ThesearetheforgeriesofjealousyAndnever,
sincethemiddlesummersspring,Metweon
hill,indale,forest,ormead,Bypavdfountain
orbyrushybrook,Orinthebeachdmargentof
thesea,Todanceourringletstothewhistling
wind,Butwiththybrawlsthouhastdisturbedour
sport.Thereforethewinds,pipingtousinvain,
Asinrevengehavesuckedupfromthesea
Contagiousfogs,which,fallingintheland,Hath
everypeltingrivermadesoproudThatthey
haveoverbornetheircontinents.Theoxhath
thereforestretchedhisyokeinvain,The
plowmanlosthissweat,andthegreencornHath
rottederehisyouthattainedabeard.Thefold
standsemptyinthedrowndfield,Andcrows
arefattedwiththemurrainflock.The
ninemensmorrisisfilledupwithmud,Andthe
quaintmazesinthewantongreen,Forlackof
tread,areundistinguishable.Thehumanmortals
wanttheirwinterhere.Nonightisnowwith
hymnorcarolblessed.Thereforethemoon,the
governessoffloods,Paleinheranger,washes
alltheair,Thatrheumaticdiseasesdoabound.
AndthoroughthisdistemperatureweseeThe
seasonsalter:hoaryheadedfrostsFallinthe
freshlapofthecrimsonrose,AndonoldHiems
(thin)andicycrownAnodorouschapletofsweet
summerbudsIs,asinmockery,set.Thespring,
thesummer,Thechildingautumn,angrywinter,
changeTheirwontedliveries,andthemazd
world.Bytheirincreasenowknowsnotwhichis
which.Andthissameprogenyofevilscomes
Fromourdebate,fromourdissensionWeare
theirparentsandoriginal.

Titania
Arethesesimplyjealouslies?Notsince
midsummerhavemyfairiesandIbeen
abletomeet.Wehaventevenbeenableto
meetonhills,dales,forests,meadows,
fountains,brooks,orbeachestodance
withoutbeingdisturbedbyyou!Natureis
beingdisruptedbyyouractions:foghas
spreadfromtheoceans,andrivershave
flooded!Theoxenandfarmershavenot
receivedthegrainthattheyhaveworkedso
hardforsincetheyhaveallrottedanddied.
Sheepshavediedrightintheirpensand
crowshaveeatenthemtobecomeplump.
Fieldswherepeopleusedtoplaygames
arenowfilledwithmudanditisntpossible
toevenseemazescreatedinthegrass
becausenobodyhaswalkedthroughthem
andnowarenotidentifiable.Humansarent
abletosingtheircarolsandhymnsthey
normallysingatwintersincewintercannot
arrive.Eventhemoon,whocontrolsthe
waterlevels,spreadsdiseasesbydirtying
theair.Theseasonsfinallychange,but
onlybecauseofthebadmoodintheair.
Winteralmosttauntsthehumansandusby
wearingdeadflowerslikeacrown.The
seasonshaveallswitchedplacesandthe
worldisconfused.Allofthisisourdoing
itsbecauseofourargument.Wemadethis
happen.

Oberon
Doyouamendit,then.Itliesinyou.Whyshould
TitaniacrossherOberon?Idobutbegalittle
changelingboyTobemyhenchman.

Oberon
Whydontyoufixitthen?Itsuptoyou.
Whywouldyoubothertalkingtomethen?
Iknow,butallIwantistheboytobemy
servant.

Titania
Setyourheartatrest:TheFairylandbuysnot
thechildofme.Hismotherwasavotressofmy
order,AndinthespicdIndianairbynightFull
oftenhathshegossipedbymysideAndsatwith
meonNeptunesyellowsands,Markingth
embarkdtradersontheflood,Whenwehave
laughedtoseethesailsconceiveAndgrow
bigbelliedwiththewantonwindWhichshe,
withprettyandwithswimminggait,Following
(herwombthenrichwithmyyoungsquire),
WouldimitateandsailuponthelandTofetch
metriflesandreturnagain,Asfromavoyage,
richwithmerchandise.Butshe,beingmortal,of
thatboydiddie,AndforhersakedoIrearup
herboy,AndforhersakeIwillnotpartwithhim.

Titania
Stoptryingtogetthechild,Iwillnotgive
himformyentirekingdom.Iwasfriends
withhismother,andweusedtogossipin
theIndianspicednights,whenthesailors
wouldleavetheportsfortradeand
laughingaswesawthesailsgrowabig
bellyofwindasifitwaspregant.Shehada
bigbellysinceshewaswithchild,she
wouldimitatethesailsandgothroughout
thelandtoretrievemestuffandcomeback
likeshehadgonethroughthesea.But,
sinceshewasahuman,aftershegave
birthtotheboy,shedied.Andbecauseof
herIwillnotgiveuptheforunderany
circumstances,Iwillalwayshave
possessionoftheboy.

Oberon
Howlongwithinthiswoodintendyoustay?

Oberon
Howlongareyougoingtostayinthe
forest?

Titania
PerchancetillafterTheseusweddingday.Ifyou
willpatientlydanceinourroundAndseeour
moonlightrevels,gowithus.Ifnot,shunme,
andIwillspareyourhaunts.

Titania
AfterTheseusweddingday,Ifyouwant,
youmaydancearoundinthenightwithus,
Ifnot,thenleavemealoneanddontbother
mockingmeanyfurther.

Oberon
GivemethatboyandIwillgowiththee.

Oberon
GivemetheboyandIwillbewithyou,

Titania
Notforthyfairykingdom.Fairies,away.We
shallchidedownrightifIlongerstay.
(Titaniaandherfairiesexit)

Titania
Forthesakeofmykingdom,No.Let'sgo
faries,Icantstayforanotherminuteof
this.

Oberon
Well,gothyway.Thoushaltnotfromthisgrove
TillItormenttheeforthisinjury.
(ToRobinGoodfellow)

Oberon
Well,themovealong.Iwillnotleavehere
withoutrevenge.

MysweetPuck,comehere.Doyou

MygentlePuck,comehither.Thouremembrest
SinceonceIsatuponapromontoryAndhearda
mermaidonadolphinsbackUtteringsuch
dulcetandharmoniousbreathThattherudesea
grewcivilathersongAndcertainstarsshot
madlyfromtheirspheresToheartheseamaids
music

rememberwhenIsatandheardamermaid
ontopofadolphinsback?Singingissuch
aharmoniouswaythateventherough
oceancalmsdown?Andthestarsshooting
bytheskysotheycouldhearherbetter?

Robin
Iremember.

Robin
Yes,Iremember.

Oberon
ThatverytimeIsaw(butthoucouldstnot),
Flyingbetweenthecoldmoonandtheearth,
Cupidallarmed.AcertainaimhetookAtafair
vestalthrondby(the)west,Andloosedhis
loveshaftsmartlyfromhisbowAsitshould
pierceahundredthousandhearts.ButImight
seeyoungCupidsfieryshaftQuenchedinthe
chastebeamsofthewatrymoon,Andthe
imperialvotresspassdonInmaiden
meditation,fancyfree.YetmarkedIwherethe
boltofCupidfell.Itfelluponalittlewestern
flower,Before,milkwhite,nowpurplewithloves
wound,Andmaidenscallitloveinidleness.
FetchmethatflowertheherbIshowedthee
once.ThejuiceofitonsleepingeyelidslaidWill
makeormanorwomanmadlydoteUponthe
nextlivecreaturethatitsees.Fetchmethis
herb,andbethouhereagainEretheleviathan
canswimaleague.

Oberon
Thatwasthenightthat,Cupidwasflying
betweenthefullmoonandtheearth,ready
toshoot.Hewasattemptingtoaimata
youngvirgininthewest,ashothislove
arrow,enoughtocutthroughhundreds
thousandhearts.ButIsawthatthearrow
wasputoutbyabeamshotbythemoon.
Andtheyoungmaidenwentbackintoher
carefreemeditation.YetIknewwherethe
arrowfell.Itwasontopofalittlewestern
flower,theflowerturnedpurpleandfilled
withlove.Theladiescallit
loveinildeness.Bringittome,andIwill
showittoyou.Thejuiceoftheflower,
whenappliedtosleepingeyes,willmake
thepersonfallinthelovewiththenext
personorcreaturetheysee.Giveittome
beforetheseamonstergetstoswima
league.

Robin
IllputagirdleroundabouttheEarthInforty
minutes.
(HeExits)

Robin
Iwillgetitandbebackhereinforty
minutes.

Oberon
IllwatchTitaniawhensheisasleepAnddrop
theliquorofitinhereyes.Thenextthingthen
she,waking,looksupon(Beitonlion,bear,or
wolf,orbull,Onmeddlingmonkey,oronbusy
ape)Sheshallpursueitwiththesouloflove.
AndereItakethischarmfromoffhersight(AsI
cantakeitwithanotherherb),Illmakeher
renderupherpagetome.Butwhocomeshere?

Oberon
IwillseewhenTitaniafallsasleepandput
someofthisinhereyes.Whenshewakes
up,thefirstthingthatshesees,eitheritsa
lion,bear,wolf,amonkey,orevenanape,
shefullfallmadlyinlovewithit.Iwilllater
reverseitwiththeotherflower,butbeforeI
willstealtheboy.Ihearpeoplecoming,I
wonderwhoitcouldbe?Iwillturninvisible
andseewhattheyaretalkingabout.

Iaminvisible,AndIwilloverheartheir
conference.
(EnterDemetrius,Helenafollowinghim.)
Demetrius
Ilovetheenotthereforepursuemenot.Where
isLysanderandfairHermia?TheoneIllstay
theotherstayethme.Thoutoldstmetheywere
stolnuntothiswood,AndhereamI,andwood
withinthiswoodBecauseIcannotmeetmy
Hermia.Hence,gettheegone,andfollowmeno
more.

Demetrius
Idonotloveyou,sodontkeepchasing
afterme.WhereisLysanderandbeautiful
Hermia?Oneneedstostayput,theother
makesmenotstandstill.Someonetoldme
theywereinthewoods.HereIam,inthe
woods,Idontseethem.BecauseIcant
seeHermia,dontfollowmeanymore.

Helena
Youdrawme,youhardheartedadamant!But
yetyoudrawnotiron,formyheartIstrueas
steel.Leaveyouyourpowertodraw,AndIshall
havenopowertofollowyou.

Helena
Youmakemeloveyou,youstonecold
magnet!Butstillyoudontattractsteal,
becausemyheartismadeofsteel.Ifyou
keeppullingonme,Iwonthaveanypower
tofollowyouanymore.

Demetrius
DoIenticeyou?DoIspeakyoufair?Orrather
doInotinplainesttruthTellyouIdonot,(nor)I
cannotloveyou?

Demetrius
AmIattractingyou?DoItellyouthat
yourebeautiful?OrdoI,inthebluntest
waypossible,tellyouthatIdont/cantlove
you?

Helena
AndevenforthatdoIloveyouthemore.Iam
yourspaniel,and,Demetrius,Themoreyou
beatmeIwillfawnonyou.Usemebutasyour
spaniel:spurnme,strikeme,Neglectme,lose
meonlygivemeleave(UnworthyasIam)to
followyou.WhatworserplacecanIbeginyour
love(Andyetaplaceofhighrespectwithme)
Thantobeusdasyouuseyourdog?

Helena
BecauseofthatIloveyouevenmore.Iam
likeyourdog,Demetrius,themoreyouare
crueltome,themoreIwillloveyou.Letme
beyourdog,rejectme,hitme,neglectme,
trytoleaveme,Ionlyasktofollowyou
everywhere.InwhatsadderwaythatI
couldaskforyourlove,thantobetreated
asyoudog?

Demetrius
Demetrius
Temptnottoomuchthehatredofmyspirit,ForI Dontlovememoreformyhatredforyou,I
amsickwhenIdolookonthee.
getsickwhenIlookatyou.
Helena
AndIamsickwhenIlooknotonyou.

Helena
AndIgetsickwhenIdontseeyou.

Demetrius
YoudoimpeachyourmodestytoomuchTo
leavethecityandcommityourselfIntothe
handsofonethatlovesyounot,Totrustthe

Demetrius
Youhavealotofnerve,toleavethecity
andfollowsomeonewhodoesnotcarefor
youneitherlovesyou.Totrustthemystery
ofthenightandinthemiddleofadeserted

opportunityofnightAndtheillcounselofa
desertplaceWiththerichworthofyourvirginity.

placeisntthebestwaytoprotectyourrich
worth,virginity.

Helena
Yourvirtueismyprivilege.ForthatItisnotnight
whenIdoseeyourface,ThereforeIthinkIam
notinthenight.Nordoththiswoodlackworlds
ofcompany,Foryou,inmyrespect,areallthe
world.Then,howcanitbesaidIamaloneWhen
alltheworldisheretolookonme?

Helena
Ihaveearnedyourvirtue.WhenIseeyour
faceatnight,IfeellikeIminthemiddleof
theday.NeitherwhenIaminthewoods,I
dontfeellonelywhenIamwithyou.You
meantheworldtome,Icouldneversay
thatImalone,whenthewholeworldisin
frontofmewhileIamnearyou.

Demetrius
IllrunfromtheeandhidemeinthebrakesAnd
leavetheetothemercyofwildbeasts.

Demetrius
Iwillkeephidingfromyouandwillleave
youwiththemercyofwildanimals.

Helena
Thewildesthathnotsuchaheartasyou.Run
whenyouwill.Thestoryshallbechanged:
ApollofliesandDaphneholdsthechaseThe
dovepursuesthegriffinthemildhind.Makes
speedtocatchthetiger.BootlessspeedWhen
cowardicepursuesandvalorflies!

Helena
Eventhemostwildestbeingsareascruel
asyou.Runifyouwant,thisstoryofApollo
flyingandDaphnechasinghimwillbe
changed:DovechasestheGriffin.Makes
thespeedofthetigeruselesswhena
cowardchasesandthebraverunaway.

Demetrius
Iwillnotstaythyquestions.Letmego,Orifthou
followme,donotbelieveButIshalldothee
mischiefinthewood.

Demetrius
Iwontstayfortheseridiculousness.Leave
mealone,ifyoufollowme,evenifyou
dontbelieveme,Iwillmakeyouregretit.

Helena
Ay,inthetemple,inthetown,thefield,Youdo
memischief.Fie,Demetrius!Yourwrongsdoset
ascandalonmysex.Wecannotfightforloveas
menmaydo.Weshouldbewooedandwerenot
madetowoo
(DemetriusExits.)
IllfollowtheeandmakeaheavenofhellTodie
uponthehandIlovesowell.
(HelenaExits.)

Helena
Youbetrayedmeinthetemple,towns,and
thefields.WhyDemetrius!?Yourmistakes
insultmyentiregender.Wecantfightfor
lovelikeyoudo.Iamsupposedtobeloved
andcherished,nottheotherwayaround.

Iwillfollowyouthroughheavenandhell,I
loveyouenoughtofollowyoutodeathas
well.

Oberon
Faretheewell,nymph.Erehedoleavethis
grove,Thoushaltflyhim,andheshallseekthy
love.
(EnterRobin)
Hastthoutheflowerthere?Welcome,wanderer.

Oberon
Goodbye,Nymph,BeforeheleavesIwill
dosomethingtomakehimfallinlovewith
you.

Doyouhavetheflowernow?Hello
Roamer.

Robin
Ay,thereitis.

Robin
Ihaveithere.

Oberon
Ipraytheegiveitme
(
Robingiveshimtheflower)
Iknowabankwherethewildthymeblows,
Whereoxlipsandthenoddingvioletgrows,
Quiteovercanopiedwithlusciouswoodbine,
Withsweetmuskroses,andwitheglantine.
TheresleepsTitaniasometimeofthenight,
Lulledintheseflowerswithdancesanddelight.
Andtherethesnakethrowsherenameledskin,
Weedwideenoughtowrapafairyin.Andwith
thejuiceofthisIllstreakhereyesAndmakeher
fullofhatefulfantasies.Takethousomeofit,
andseekthroughthisgrove.
(HegivesRobinpartoftheflower)
AsweetAthenianladyisinloveWitha
disdainfulyouth.Anointhiseyes,Butdoitwhen
thenextthingheespiesMaybethelady.Thou
shaltknowthemanBytheAtheniangarments
hehathon.Effectitwithsomecare,thathemay
proveMorefondonherthansheuponherlove.
Andlookthoumeetmeerethefirstcockcrow

Oberon
GivemetheflowerRobin.

Iknowaspecialplacewherewildthymes,
oxlipsandvioletsgrow,overgrownwith
lusciouswoodbineandbeautifulmusk
rosesandeglantine.ThatiswhereTitania
sometimessleepatnightsurroundedwith
dancingflowersandhappiness.Thatis
alsowheresnakesshedtheiroldskin,its
bigenoughtoputawholefairyinsideofit.
ThereiswhereIwillputthisloveflowerin
hereyesandmakeherhavehorrible
delusions.Takesomeofitandrunthrough
theforestwithit.

Adelightfulgirlisinlovewitharudeyoung
man.Putthisitinhiseyesandmakesure
thatthenextthingheseesistheyoung
ladybyhisside.Youshouldrecognizehis
bytheAthenianclothshehason.Make
sureitworks,makeherheismoreinlove
withherthansheiswithhim.Whenyouare
done,meetmehereatdawn.

Robin
Fearnot,mylord.Yourservantshalldoso.

(TheyExit)

Robin
Dontworry,myking,Iwillnotfailyou.