Roses, their sharp spines being gone, But in their hue; Maiden' pinks, of odour faint, Daisies smell-less, yet most quaint, Primrose, first-born child of Ver, Oxlips in their cradles growing, All dear Nature's children sweet, Lie 'fore bride and bridegroom's feet, Blessing their sense! Not an angel of the air, 10 [Strewing flowers. Bird melodious, or bird fair, Be absent hence! The crow, the slanderous cuckoo, nor The boding raven, nor chough hoar, Nor chattering pie, May on our bride-house perch or sing, Or with them any discord bring, But from it fly !3 20 1 Fresh; also used for strewing on the grave of a maiden, or faithful wife. 2 Small Indian cress, or nasturtium. 8 Dowden, Nicholson, Hargrove, and Furnivall think Shakespeare did not write this song; Littledale is in doubt. Enter three Queens, in black, with veils stained, and with imperial crowns. The First Queen falls down at the foot of THESEYS; the Second falls down at the foot of HipPOLYTA; the Third before EMILIA. 1st Queen. For pity's sake and true gentility's, Hear and respect me! 2d Queen. For your mother's sake, And as you wish yourself may thrive with fair ones, Hear and respect me ! 3d Queen. Now for the love of him whom Jove hath mark'd The honour of your bed, and for the sake Of clear virginity, be advocate For us, and our distresses! This good deed Theseus. Sad lady, rise. 30 Hippolyta. Emilia. Stand up. No knees to me! What woman I may stead,2 that is distress'd Does bind me to her. Theseus. What's your request? Deliver you for all. 1st Queen. We are three queens, whose sovereigns fell before The wrath of cruel Creon; who endure The beaks of ravens, talons of the kites, And pecks of crows, in the foul fields of Thebes. 40 He will not suffer us to burn their bones, 1 Erase for you. 2 Help. Of holy Phoebus, but infects the winds With stench of our slain lords. O, pity, duke! That does good turns to the world; give us the bones Theseus. Pray you, kneel not; I was transported with your speech, and suffer'd 50 Your knees to wrong themselves. I have heard the fortunes Of your dead lords, which gives me such lamenting As wakes my vengeance and revenge for 'em. King Capanëus1 was your lord: the day Nor in more bounty spread her; your wheaten wreath He tumbled down upon his Nemean hide, 1st Queen. O, I hope some god, Some god hath put his mercy in your manhood, Theseus. O, no knees, none, widow! 1 One of the seven heroes who marched from Argos against Thebes. 60 70 The scythe-tusk'd boar; that, with thy arm as strong As it is white, wast near to make the male To thy sex captive, but that this thy lord - That equally canst poise sternness with pity; But touch the ground for us no longer time Hippolyta. Poor lady, say no more; I had as lief trace this good action with you 1 The Roman goddess of war. 2 Obedient lover. 8 Made sticky with blood. 80 90 100 As that whereto I'm going, and ne'er yet 3d Queen. O, my petition was [Kneels to EMILIA. Set down in ice, which by hot grief uncandied,' Is press'd with deeper matter. Emilia. Pray stand up; O, woe! Your grief is written in your cheek. 3d Queen. You cannot read it there; there, through my tears, You may behold 'em! Lady, lady, alack, He that will all the treasure know o' the earth, Emilia. Pray you, say nothing, pray you ; The ground-piece of some painter, I would buy you, Your sorrow beats so ardently upon me, That it shall make a counter-reflect 'gainst My brother's heart, and warm it to some pity Though it were made of stone ; pray have good comfort! 110 120 |