Certain New Elucidations of Shakespeare 37 



We will watch Shakespeare set the scene. Overhead is the 

 massive and sumptuous palace of Theseus, kinsman of Hercules, 

 who slew the Minotaur. There are shining pillars, and marvel- 

 lous hangings, and two thrones perhaps of gold. And note the 

 speech of these affianced sovereigns i^" 



Hippolyta appeals to us especially in this strange alien home. 

 She has been queen of the revolt against a man-ruled world. But 

 she feels a woman's poetic anticipation of joy in the solemnities, 

 the formalities of her bridal, though it must be solemnized far 

 from the scenes, the associations, and the companions of her 

 serious years. We share in this idealization, and ' conceive and 

 covet ' that all her expectations may be fully realized. This is 

 the slender but sufficient ' consummation ' of the play, promised 

 to prove a comedy, in hand. 



Philostrate is commissioned upon the moment to stir up the 

 Athenian youth to merriments, and thus supply the pomp and 

 revelling that shall make up the celebrative part of the solemni- 

 ties. ' Athenian youth,' mark you, unsupported by any women 

 from the camp or household of the bride, or by any maids or 

 matrons of the court or from the city. But Theseus, ' just like 

 a man,' does not appreciate that a stag-entertainment, under the 

 conditions, might not be accordant with Hippolyta's mood or 

 wishes. We react to the blunder, and fear that the solemnities 



■20 And note, especially, the run-on lines. According to the verse-diviners, 

 this proportion of 2 to i should rank the text with Cymbeline and Winter's 

 Tale, Shakespeare's latest work. Yet Midsummer-Night's Dream can 

 hardly have been written more than two years later than Love's Labour's 

 Lost. 



Theseus. Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour 



Draws on apace : four happy days bring in 



Another moon. But oh, methinks, how slow 



This old moon wanes ! She lingers my desires. 



Like to a step-dame or a dowager 



Long withering out a young man's revenue. 



Hippolyta. Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; 



Four nights will quickly dream away the time ; 



And then the moon, like to a silver bow 



New-bent in heaven, shall behold the night 



Of our solemnities. 



139 



