A wood near Athens. A Fairy speaks.
Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire
I do wander every where,
Swifter than the moon’s sphere;
And I serve the fairy queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green:
The cowslips tall her pensioners be;
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours,
In those freckles live their savours:
I must go seek some dew-drops here
And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear.
Farewell, thou lob of spirits: I’ll be gone;
Our queen and all her elves come here anon.
– A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II, Scene I
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language – and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in April 1564, he is often referred to as England’s national poet, and the ‘Bard of Avon’, his extant works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, (some with unconfirmed authorship).
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of his earliest and most loved comedies, is a witty mixture of romance, fairy magic, and comic lowlife scenes. The poem above is a piece of verse between Puck, King Oberon’s loyal, and yet mischievous companion and a fairy in the wood.
“The course of true love never did run smooth”
Lysander, Act I, Scene I
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by William Shakespeare
The fantastical adventure, brings love potions, fairies, intrigue, and royalty, all together under an enchanted forest. Under the influence of the fairies and actions of mischievous sprite, Puck, all become dreamily entangled, with comical results.
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