Page 1296 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Bird melodious or bird fair,
Is absent hence;

The crow, the slanderous cuckoo, nor
The boding raven, nor chough hoar, [20]
Nor chattering pie,

May on our bridehouse perch or sing,
Or with them any discord bring,
But from it fly.

Enter three Queens in black, with veils stained, with imperial crowns. The

First Queen falls down at the foot of Theseus; the Second falls down at the
foot of Hippolyta; the Third before Emilia.

FIRST QUEEN
For pity’s sake and true gentility’s, [25]
Hear and respect me!

SECOND QUEEN
For your mother’s sake,

And as you wish your womb may thrive with fair ones
Hear and respect me!

THIRD QUEEN
Now for the love of him whom Jove hath marked
The honour of your bed, and for the sake [30]
Of clear virginity, be advocate

For us and our distresses! This good deed
Shall raze you out o’th’book of trespasses
All you are set down there.

THESEUS
Sad lady, rise.

HIPPOLYTA

Stand up.