Certain New Ehicidations of Shakespeare 33 



Ne let the Pouke nor other evill sprights, 

 Ne let mischivous witches with theyr charmes, 

 Ne let hob-Goblins, names whose sense we see not, 

 Fray us with things that be not: 

 Let not the shriech Oule nor the Storke be heard. 

 Nor the night Raven that still deadly yels, 

 Nor damned ghosts cald up with mighty spels, 

 Nor griesly Vultures, make us once afeard, 

 Ne let th'unpleasant Quyre of Frogs still croking 

 Make us to wish the'r choking. 

 Let none of these theyr drery accent's sing; 



Ne let the woods them answer, nor theyr eccho ring. 

 And I compare this with the fairies' last pattering ditty in our play: 

 Now the wasted brands do glow, 



Whilst the screech-owl, screeching loud. 

 Puts the wretch that lies in woe 

 In remembrance of a shroud. 

 Now it is the time of night 



That the graves, all gaping wide, 

 Every one lets forth his sprit, 

 In the church-way paths to glide : 

 And we fairies, that do run 

 By the triple Hecate's team. 

 From the presence of the sun, 

 Following darkness like a dream, 

 Now are frolic; not a mouse 

 Shall disturb this hallow'd house; 

 I am sent with broom, before. 

 To sweep the dust behind the door. 



To the best bride-bed will we, 



Which by us shall blessed be. . . . • 



And each several chamber l^less, 

 Through this palace, with sweet peace. 



Can any one set these two passages together and doubt A Midsummer- 

 Nlghfs Dream to be intended for a merry Kd6ap<ns, a pretty purgation, of 

 those same goblin terrors which Spenser would exorcise from the bridal 

 chamber? For my part, I make little doubt that Shakespeare had Spen- 

 ser's very words in mind as he wrote. 



Here, then, we have a young playwright commissioned to write a wed- 

 ding play — a play to be presented at court. He is naturally anxious to 

 shine; and, moreover, though his fellow-playwrights already pay him the 

 compliment of being a little jealous, he still has his spurs to win. . . . 



135 



