And this ditty after me404
Sing and dance it trippingly.
Tita. First, rehearse your song by rote,
To each word a warbling note:
Hand in hand, with fairy grace,408
Will we sing, and bless this place.
[Song and dance.]
Obe. Now, until the break of day,
Through this house each fairy stray.
To the best bride-bed will we,412
Which by us shall blessed be;
And the issue there create
Ever shall be fortunate.
So shall all the couples three416
Ever true in loving be;
And the blots of Nature's hand
Shall not in their issue stand:
Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar,420
Nor mark prodigious, such as are
Despised in nativity,
Shall upon their children be.
With this field-dew consecrate,424
Every fairy take his gait,
And each several chamber bless,
Through this palace, with sweet peace;
Ever shall in safety rest,428
And the owner of it blest.
Trip away;
Make no stay;
Meet me all by break of day.432
[Exeunt King, Queen, and train.]
Puck. If we shadows have offended,
414 create: created
424 field-dew consecrate: i.e., fairy holy water
428 Ever shall: i.e., ever shall it; cf. n.
