| Original text | Modern text | Key line |
| What, iealous Oberon? Fairy skip hence. | What, jealous Oberon? Fairy, skip hence. | MND II.i.61 |
| I haue forsworne his bed and companie. | I have forsworn his bed and company. | MND II.i.62 |
| | | |
| Then I must be thy Lady: but I know | Then I must be thy lady. But I know | MND II.i.64 |
| When thou wast stolne away from Fairy Land, | When thou hast stolen away from Fairyland | MND II.i.65 |
| And in the shape of Corin, sate all day, | And in the shape of Corin sat all day | MND II.i.66 |
| Playing on pipes of Corne, and versing loue | Playing on pipes of corn, and versing love | MND II.i.67 |
| To amorous Phillida. Why art thou heere | To amorous Phillida. Why art thou here | MND II.i.68 |
| Come from the farthest steepe of India? | Come from the farthest step of India | MND II.i.69 |
| But that forsooth the bouncing Amazon | But that, forsooth, the bouncing Amazon, | MND II.i.70 |
| Your buskin'd Mistresse, and your Warrior loue, | Your buskined mistress and your warrior love, | MND II.i.71 |
| To Theseus must be Wedded; and you come, | To Theseus must be wedded? – and you come | MND II.i.72 |
| To giue their bed ioy and prosperitie. | To give their bed joy and prosperity. | MND II.i.73 |
| | | |
| These are the forgeries of iealousie, | These are the forgeries of jealousy; | MND II.i.81 |
| And neuer since the middle Summers spring | And never since the middle summer's spring | MND II.i.82 |
| Met we on hil, in dale, forrest, or mead, | Met we on hill, in dale, forest, or mead, | MND II.i.83 |
| By paued fountaine, or by rushie brooke, | By paved fountain or by rushy brook, | MND II.i.84 |
| Or in the beached margent of the sea, | Or in the beached margent of the sea | MND II.i.85 |
| To dance our ringlets to the whistling Winde, | To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind, | MND II.i.86 |
| But with thy braules thou hast disturb'd our sport. | But with thy brawls thou hast disturbed our sport. | MND II.i.87 |
| Therefore the Windes, piping to vs in vaine, | Therefore the winds, piping to us in vain, | MND II.i.88 |
| As in reuenge, haue suck'd vp from the sea | As in revenge have sucked up from the sea | MND II.i.89 |
| Contagious fogges: Which falling in the Land, | Contagious fogs which, falling in the land, | MND II.i.90 |
| Hath euerie petty Riuer made so proud, | Have every pelting river made so proud | MND II.i.91 |
| That they haue ouer-borne their Continents. | That they have overborne their continents. | MND II.i.92 |
| The Oxe hath therefore stretch'd his yoake in vaine, | The ox hath therefore stretched his yoke in vain, | MND II.i.93 |
| The Ploughman lost his sweat, and the greene Corne | The ploughman lost his sweat, and the green corn | MND II.i.94 |
| Hath rotted, ere his youth attain'd a beard: | Hath rotted ere his youth attained a beard. | MND II.i.95 |
| The fold stands empty in the drowned field, | The fold stands empty in the drowned field, | MND II.i.96 |
| And Crowes are fatted with the murrion flocke, | And crows are fatted with the murrion flock. | MND II.i.97 |
| The nine mens Morris is fild vp with mud, | The nine men's morris is filled up with mud, | MND II.i.98 |
| And the queint Mazes in the wanton greene, | And the quaint mazes in the wanton green | MND II.i.99 |
| For lacke of tread are vndistinguishable. | For lack of tread are undistinguishable. | MND II.i.100 |
| The humane mortals want their winter heere, | The human mortals want their winter cheer. | MND II.i.101 |
| No night is now with hymne or caroll blest; | No night is now with hymn or carol blessed. | MND II.i.102 |
| Therefore the Moone (the gouernesse of floods) | Therefore the moon, the governess of floods, | MND II.i.103 |
| Pale in her anger, washes all the aire; | Pale in her anger, washes all the air, | MND II.i.104 |
| That Rheumaticke diseases doe abound. | That rheumatic diseases do abound; | MND II.i.105 |
| And through this distemperature, we see | And thorough this distemperature we see | MND II.i.106 |
| The seasons alter; hoared headed frosts | The seasons alter; hoary-headed frosts | MND II.i.107 |
| Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson Rose, | Far in the fresh lap of the crimson rose, | MND II.i.108 |
| And on old Hyems chinne and Icie crowne, | And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown | MND II.i.109 |
| An odorous Chaplet of sweet Sommer buds | An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds | MND II.i.110 |
| Is as in mockry set. The Spring, the Sommer, | Is as in mockery set. The spring, the summer, | MND II.i.111 |
| The childing Autumne, angry Winter change | The childing autumn, angry winter change | MND II.i.112 |
| Their wonted Liueries, and the mazed world, | Their wonted liveries, and the mazed world | MND II.i.113 |
| By their increase, now knowes not which is which; | By their increase now knows not which is which. | MND II.i.114 |
| And this same progeny of euills, | And this same progeny of evils | MND II.i.115 |
| Comes from our debate, from our dissention, | Comes from our debate, from our dissension. | MND II.i.116 |
| We are their parents and originall. | We are their parents and original. | MND II.i.117 |
| | | |
| Set your heart at rest, | Set your heart at rest. | MND II.i.121.2 |
| The Fairy land buyes not the childe of me, | The fairy land buys not the child of me. | MND II.i.122 |
| His mother was a Votresse of my Order, | His mother was a votaress of my order, | MND II.i.123 |
| And in the spiced Indian aire, by night | And in the spiced Indian air by night | MND II.i.124 |
| Full often hath she gossipt by my side, | Full often hath she gossiped by my side, | MND II.i.125 |
| And sat with me on Neptunes yellow sands, | And sat with me on Neptune's yellow sands | MND II.i.126 |
| Marking th'embarked traders on the flood, | Marking th' embarked traders on the flood, | MND II.i.127 |
| When we haue laught to see the sailes conceiue, | When we have laughed to see the sails conceive | MND II.i.128 |
| And grow big bellied with the wanton winde: | And grow big-bellied with the wanton wind; | MND II.i.129 |
| Which she with pretty and with swimming gate, | Which she with pretty and with swimming gait | MND II.i.130 |
| Following (her wombe then rich with my yong squire) | Following – her womb then rich with my young squire – | MND II.i.131 |
| Would imitate, and saile vpon the Land, | Would imitate, and sail upon the land | MND II.i.132 |
| To fetch me trifles, and returne againe, | To fetch me trifles, and return again | MND II.i.133 |
| As from a voyage, rich with merchandize. | As from a voyage, rich with merchandise. | MND II.i.134 |
| But she being mortall, of that boy did die, | But she, being mortal, of that boy did die, | MND II.i.135 |
| And for her sake I doe reare vp her boy, | And for her sake do I rear up her boy; | MND II.i.136 |
| And for her sake I will not part with him. | And for her sake I will not part with him. | MND II.i.137 |
| | | |
| Perchance till after Theseus wedding day. | Perchance till after Theseus' wedding-day. | MND II.i.139 |
| If you will patiently dance in our Round, | If you will patiently dance in our round | MND II.i.140 |
| And see our Moone-light reuels, goe with vs; | And see our moonlight revels, go with us. | MND II.i.141 |
| If not, shun me and I will spare your haunts. | If not, shun me, and I will spare your haunts. | MND II.i.142 |
| | | |
| Not for thy Fairy Kingdome. Fairies away: | Not for thy fairy kingdom! Fairies, away. | MND II.i.144 |
| We shall chide downe right, if I longer stay. | We shall chide downright if I longer stay. | MND II.i.145 |
| | | |
| Come, now a Roundell, and a Fairy song; | Come, now a roundel and a fairy song, | MND II.ii.1 |
| Then for the third part of a minute hence, | Then for the third part of a minute hence: | MND II.ii.2 |
| Some to kill Cankers in the muske rose buds, | Some to kill cankers in the muskrose buds, | MND II.ii.3 |
| Some warre with Reremise, for their leathern wings, | Some war with reremice for their leathern wings | MND II.ii.4 |
| To make my small Elues coates, and some keepe backe | To make my small elves coats, and some keep back | MND II.ii.5 |
| The clamorous Owle that nightly hoots and wonders | The clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders | MND II.ii.6 |
| At our queint spirits: Sing me now asleepe, | At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep; | MND II.ii.7 |
| Then to your offices, and let me rest. | Then to your offices, and let me rest. | MND II.ii.8 |
| | | |
| What Angell wakes me from my flowry bed? | What angel wakes me from my flowery bed? | MND III.i.122 |
| | | |
| I pray thee gentle mortall, sing againe, | I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again! | MND III.i.130 |
| Mine eare is much enamored of thy note; | Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note. | MND III.i.131 |
| So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape. | So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape, | MND III.i.132 |
| And thy faire vertues force (perforce) doth moue me. | And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me | MND III.i.133 |
| On the first view to say, to sweare I loue thee. | On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee. | MND III.i.134 |
| | | |
| Thou art as wise, as thou art beautifull. | Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful. | MND III.i.140 |
| | | |
| Out of this wood, do not desire to goe, | Out of this wood do not desire to go! | MND III.i.143 |
| Thou shalt remaine here, whether thou wilt or no. | Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt or no. | MND III.i.144 |
| I am a spirit of no common rate: | I am a spirit of no common rate. | MND III.i.145 |
| The Summer still doth tend vpon my state, | The summer still doth tend upon my state, | MND III.i.146 |
| And I doe loue thee; therefore goe with me, | And I do love thee. Therefore go with me. | MND III.i.147 |
| Ile giue thee Fairies to attend on thee; | I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee, | MND III.i.148 |
| And they shall fetch thee Iewels from the deepe, | And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep, | MND III.i.149 |
| And sing, while thou on pressed flowers dost sleepe: | And sing while thou on pressed flowers dost sleep; | MND III.i.150 |
| And I will purge thy mortall grossenesse so, | And I will purge thy mortal grossness so | MND III.i.151 |
| That thou shalt like an airie spirit go. | That thou shalt like an airy spirit go. | MND III.i.152 |
| Enter Pease-blossome, Cobweb, Moth, Mustardseede, | Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed! | MND III.i.153 |
| | | |
| Be kinde and curteous to this Gentleman, | Be kind and courteous to this gentleman. | MND III.i.159 |
| Hop in his walkes, and gambole in his eies, | Hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes; | MND III.i.160 |
| Feede him with Apricocks, and Dewberries, | Feed him with apricocks and dewberries, | MND III.i.161 |
| With purple Grapes, greene Figs, and Mulberries, | With purple grapes, green figs, and mulberries. | MND III.i.162 |
| The honie-bags steale from the humble Bees, | The honey bags steal from the humble-bees, | MND III.i.163 |
| And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighes, | And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs | MND III.i.164 |
| And light them at the fierie-Glow-wormes eyes, | And light them at the fiery glow-worms' eyes | MND III.i.165 |
| To haue my loue to bed, and to arise: | To have my love to bed and to arise; | MND III.i.166 |
| And plucke the wings from painted Butterflies, | And pluck the wings from painted butterflies | MND III.i.167 |
| To fan the Moone-beames from his sleeping eies. | To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes. | MND III.i.168 |
| Nod to him Elues, and doe him curtesies. | Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies. | MND III.i.169 |
| | | |
| Come waite vpon him, lead him to my bower. | Come, wait upon him. Lead him to my bower. | MND III.i.192 |
| The Moone me-thinks, lookes with a watrie eie, | The moon methinks looks with a watery eye; | MND III.i.193 |
| And when she weepes, weepe euerie little flower, | And when she weeps, weeps every little flower, | MND III.i.194 |
| Lamenting some enforced chastitie. | Lamenting some enforced chastity. | MND III.i.195 |
| Tye vp my louers tongue, bring him silently. | Tie up my lover's tongue; bring him silently. | MND III.i.196 |
| | | |
| Come, sit thee downe vpon this flowry bed, | Come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed | MND IV.i.1 |
| While I thy amiable cheekes doe coy, | While I thy amiable cheeks do coy, | MND IV.i.2 |
| And sticke muske roses in thy sleeke smoothe head, | And stick muskroses in thy sleek, smooth head, | MND IV.i.3 |
| And kisse thy faire large eares, my gentle ioy. | And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy. | MND IV.i.4 |
| | | |
| What, wilt thou heare some musicke, my sweet loue. | What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet love? | MND IV.i.27 |
| | | |
| Or say sweete Loue, what thou desirest to eat. | Or say, sweet love, what thou desirest to eat. | MND IV.i.30 |
| | | |
| I haue a venturous Fairy, / That shall seeke | I have a venturous fairy that shall seek | MND IV.i.34 |
| the Squirrels hoard, / And fetch thee new Nuts. | The squirrel's hoard, and fetch thee new nuts. | MND IV.i.35 |
| | | |
| Sleepe thou, and I will winde thee in my arms, | Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms. | MND IV.i.39 |
| Fairies be gone, and be alwaies away. | Fairies be gone, and be all ways away. | MND IV.i.40 |
| | | |
| So doth the woodbine, the sweet Honisuckle, | So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle | MND IV.i.41 |
| Gently entwist; the female Iuy so | Gently entwist; the female ivy so | MND IV.i.42 |
| Enrings the barky fingers of the Elme. | Enrings the barky fingers of the elm. | MND IV.i.43 |
| O how I loue thee! how I dote on thee! | O, how I love thee! How I dote on thee! | MND IV.i.44 |
| | | |
| My Oberon, what visions haue I seene! | My Oberon, what visions have I seen! | MND IV.i.75 |
| Me-thought I was enamoured of an Asse. | Methought I was enamoured of an ass. | MND IV.i.76 |
| | | |
| How came these things to passe? | How came these things to pass? | MND IV.i.77.2 |
| Oh, how mine eyes doth loath this visage now! | O, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now! | MND IV.i.78 |
| | | |
| Musicke, ho musicke, such as charmeth sleepe. Musick still. | Music, ho! Music such as charmeth sleep. | MND IV.i.82 |
| | | |
| Come my Lord, and in our flight, | Come, my lord, and in our flight | MND IV.i.98 |
| Tell me how it came this night, | Tell me how it came this night | MND IV.i.99 |
| That I sleeping heere was found, Sleepers Lye still. | That I sleeping here was found | MND IV.i.100 |
| With these mortals on the ground. | With these mortals on the ground. | MND IV.i.101 |
| | | |
| First rehearse this song by roate, | First rehearse your song by rote, | MND V.i.387 |
| To each word a warbling note. | To each word a warbling note. | MND V.i.388 |
| Hand in hand, with Fairie grace, | Hand in hand with fairy grace | MND V.i.389 |
| Will we sing and blesse this place. | Will we sing and bless this place. | MND V.i.390 |