Get all 7 Milburn & Vigoda releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Long Story Short home demo recordings from 2006-9, Midsummer Night demos, Ernest Shackleton Loves Me Home Demos, Every Seven, Midsummer Night (single), Brown Bag Compilation #1, and Beautiful Poison (single).
1. |
Midsummer Night
03:12
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PUCK
Ladies and gentlemen, masters and mistresses
punters on bench seats and royals on thrones,
this is a musical, this is the overture,
so unwrap your candies and turn off your phones
musicals lately have not had an overture
we don't know why but it doesn't seem right
so we're bucking convention,
yeah we're bucking convention
and this overture's the prelude to the madness of a midsummer night...
OTHERS & MUSICIANS
Midsummer night, midsummer night, midsummer night
PUCK
Midsummer night...
OTHERS & MUSICIANS
Midsummer night, midsummer night, midsummer night
PUCK
This ain't no garden-variety Midsummer
couple of differences you oughta know
ours is a one-act with no intermission
so if you have to pee you should get up and go.
our show is set at a rock music festival
out in the woods where the glow sticks shine bright
for the next 90 minutes
a quick 90 minutes
we'll show ya the crazy things that happen on a midsummer night
midsummer night
OTHER CAST MEMBERS
Midsummer night, midsummer night, midsummer night
PUCK
Midsummer night...
OTHER CAST MEMBERS
Midsummer night, midsummer night, midsummer night
(OBERON and TITANIA make their way into view, clearly avoiding each other.)
PUCK
(indicating OBERON and TITANIA)
these two are rock stars, they're pissed at each other
the mood in the green room is gloomy and black
she used to love him, but she's tired of him
she took his guitar and she won't give it back.
(OBERON and TITANIA recede, and BOTTOM appears, hoisting equipment and cables.)
PUCK (CONT’D)
(indicating BOTTOM)
we have cut all but one of the six rude mechanicals
Bottom the roadie is here all alone
he lifts amplifiers but his deepest desire's to
be onstage rocking the mic-a-r-ophone
(BOTTOM checks the mic (”check one two” etc.). PUCK takes it out of reach, frustrating BOTTOM, who recedes.
The four lovers, LYSANDER, HERMIA, DEMETRIUS, and HELENA present themselves.)
PUCK (CONT’D)
We've still got four lovers with two unrequited
(indicating LYSANDER AND HERMIA:)
These two are full up with love to the brim.
(indicating DEMETRIUS & HERMIA:)
But this one's engaged to be married to this one,
And I fear that she just isn't that into him.
(indicating HELENA and DEMETRIUS:)
and this one is crazily craving for this one
but he won't look twice at her, try as she might
So this one (HELENA) likes that one (DEMETRIUS) likes that one (HERMIA) likes this one, (LYSANDER)
and that's where we are at the beginning of our midsummer night
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2. |
Over Hill, Over Dale
03:08
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COBWEB, MOTH, & MUSTARDSEED
Over hill, over dale,
down the road and down the line
over park, over pale
to the stage and spotlight shine
I do wander everywhere
swifter than the lunar sphere
following my lady's lead
to do whatever she may need
Over hill, over dale,
nowhere else I'd rather be
Over park, over pale,
it's the touring life for me
When autumn reaches glade and glen
I'll join the circus once again
but summer now I celebrate
and to the winds I cast my fate
Over hill, over dale,
to the tent and to the show
over park, over pale
where my lady goes, I go
I must go hide me out of sight
for far from here sleep I tonight.
COBWEB
Farewell thou silly fan girl, I'll be gone.
Our diva's entourage comes here anon.
PUCK
With Oberon have I thrown in my lot
His attention have I well and dearly sought
He'll be this evening passing fell and wrath
Because Titania with her newfound fancy hath
appropriated his belov’d guitar,
his “changeling child,” and she hath hid it far
away from prying eyes of Oberon.
He begs her give it back, but she will none.
And now they'll never meet in grove or green,
by tour bus lounge or spangled starlight sheen,
but they do square that all their crew for fear
creep into empty bunks and hide them there.
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3. |
This I Will Not Abide
03:18
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TITANIA
I ascended to the stage at midnight
and I felt the rush that stirs my soul
rising with the tide of revellers
I was ready to rock and roll
to you I've always been so grateful
long before the public knew my name
back when no one else believed in me
you brought me honour, you brought me fame
and I won your favour, you won my heart
we were hit by Cupid's archery
we were link'd in friendship, and link'd in art
as our alliance reached its apogee
then more and more contentious did you grow
still I loved you so I let it go
but
TITANIA & GIRLS
this I will not abide
I care not who you are
with all your pranks and all your pride
last night you went too far
for you, you made me such a fool
myself and all beside
thou art too cavalier and cruel
this I will not abide
this I will not abide
TITANIA
now through all the years I’ve stood beside you
and through all the all stars you’ve fancied fair
I knew the wounds of love invisible
it was almost more than I could bear
yet I learned to bear it, now I care not
unto whom you grant affections sweet
but when you intrude on my headline show
drunk, uninvited and indiscreet
and fall insensate flat on your face
the time has come to put you in your place
for
TITANIA & GIRLS
this I will not abide
I care not who you are
with all your pranks and all your pride
last night you went too far
for you, you made me such a fool
myself and all beside
thou art too cavalier and cruel
this I will not abide
this I will not abide
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4. |
The Red Ones
02:17
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OBERON
My gentle Puck, go fetch my pharmacopoeia.
And also, please retrieve some tasty snack food
mayhaps those pale and supple treats of sugar
that I so often fancy late at night.
PUCK races off to OBERON’s tour bus. OBERON continues singing.
OBERON (CONT’D)
Where was I? Yes, my cherished pharmacopoeia.
Within it lie four ruby-colored capsules,
and two more pills of golden-yellow hue.
the final works of chemist Cupid Owsley
For have I mentioned Cupid Owsley?
He's the chemist to the rock world
Was the chemist to the rock world
'til he overused his pills.
now he's pushing up the daisies,
but I have his final capsules
I have Cupid's final capsules,
and they'll cure Titania's ills.
For the red ones,
when you crack them
o'er the eyelids,
while asleep,
then they make you
feel affection,
a connection,
love so deep,
yes the red ones,
pack a wallop,
and a dollop
of surprise
for you fall for,
give it all for
the first being you’ll be seeing when you open up your eyes.
(scene: forging a letter to Bottom from Titania. Then:)
PUCK & OBERON
For the red ones,
when you crack them
o'er the eyelids,
while asleep,
then they make you
feel affection,
a connection,
love so deep,
yes the red ones,
pack a wallop,
and a dollop
of surprise
for you fall for,
give it all for
the first being you’ll be seeing when you open up your eyes.
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5. |
GrooveLily - Lullaby
02:04
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You spotted snakes with double tongue,
Thorny hedgehogs, take thy flight;
Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong,
Come not near this wood tonight.
Philomel, with melody
Sing in our sweet lullaby;
Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby:
Never harm,
Nor spell nor charm,
Come our lovely lady nigh;
So, good night, with lullaby.
Weaving spiders, come not here;
Hence, you long-legg'd spinners, hence!
Beetles black, approach not near;
Worm nor snail, do no offence.
Philomel, with melody, & c.
COBWEB
Hence, away! now all is well:
One aloof stand sentinel.
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6. |
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OBERON
She whose star is on the rise,
She, though young, hath grown so wise.
She who thinks she knows it all,
She is summer to my fall,
She for whom I've done so much,
She who now forbids my touch,
She who gives inconstant love,
she will find her heart doth move.
(OBERON cracks open a red capsule over TITANIA’s eyelids as she sleeps, dropping shimmering glitter there.)
What thou seest when thou dost wake,
do it for thy true-love take,
love and languish for his sake.
when thou wakest, he is thy dear:
wake when that vile thing is near.
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7. |
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PUCK
(cracking a red capsule over LYSANDER’s eyes)
Churl, upon thy eyes I throw
All the power this charm doth owe.
When thou wakest, let love forbid
Sleep his seat on thy eyelid:
So awake when I am gone;
For I must now to Oberon.
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8. |
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LYSANDER
(awaking, in song)
And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake.
Transparent Helena! Nature shows art,
That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart.
HELENA
Do not say so, Lysander; say not so
Yet Hermia still loves you: then be content.
LYSANDER
(bursting into song again)
Content with Hermia! No; I do repent
The tedious minutes I with her have spent.
Not Hermia but Helena I love:
Who will not change a raven for a dove?
The will of man is by his reason sway'd;
And reason says you are the worthier maid.
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9. |
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PUCK
Dear me, I fear this poor lout’s heart is broke.
His din’s enough to wake those yet unwoke.
BOTTOM
(to a marshmallow)
Oh tasty treat, there lying on the ground,
thou art my true, and dearest only friend
And when the whole world tries to bring me down
Thy sweetness sugar-coats my bitter end .
TITANIA
(awaking)
What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?
BOTTOM
Marshmallow!
Marshmallow!
I love thee by the score!
Marshmallow!
Marshmallow!
Good-by for ever more.
(Eats it.)
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10. |
Out Of This Wood
01:52
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TITANIA
Out of this wood do not desire to go:
Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt or no.
I am a spirit of no common rate;
The summer still doth tend upon my state;
And I do love thee: therefore, go with me;
I'll give thee ladies to attend on thee,
And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep,
And sing while thou on pressed flowers dost sleep;
And I will purge thy schlubby grossness so
That thou shalt like an airy spirit go.
Come, wait upon him; lead him to my bower.
The moon methinks looks with a watery eye;
And when she weeps, weeps every little flower,
Lamenting some enforced chastity.
BOTTOM
I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.
TITANIA
Tie up my love's tongue, bring him silently.
BOTTOM
How’d you know I liked marshmallows so much?
TITANIA
Bring him silently.
BOTTOM
This is awesome.
TITANIA
Bring him silently.
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11. |
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OBERON
Capsule of this deep red hue
Hit with Cupid’s aim so true
Sink in apple of his eye.
When his love he doth espy,
Let her shine as gloriously
As the Venus of the sky.
When thou wakest, if she be by,
Beg of her for remedy.
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12. |
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IN THE FOREST 1: A TRIM EXPLOIT
DEMETRIUS
(waking)
oh Helena,
goddess, nymph, divine
to what, my love, shall I compare thine eyne?
crystal is muddy, oh, how ripe in show
thy lips those kissing cherries, how they truly tempting grow...
HELENA
O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent
to set against me for your merriment:
DEMETRIUS
What? No, of course not...
HELENA
if you were civil, and knew courtesy,
you would not do me thus much injury.
LYSANDER
Helena, surely you don't mean [that we're trying to do you injury]...
HELENA
can you not hate me, as I know you do
DEMETRIUS
Hate you? On the contrary, my feelings towards you [are surprisingly warm at the moment]...
HELENA
but you must join in souls to mock me, too?
DEMETRIUS & LYSANDER (separately)
Mock you? No one could mock a woman as lovely as...
HELENA (CONT’D)
(talk to the hand, boys)
it's a trim exploit, it's a manly enterprise,
to conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes.
LYSANDER
You are unkind, Demetrius. Be not so;
for you love Hermia, and this you know I know.
And here, with all good will, with all my heart,
In Hermia's love I yield you up my part.
And yours of Helena to me bequeath
Whom I do love and will do till my death.
DEMETRIUS
Lysander, keep thy Hermia, I will none.
If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone.
Look, where thy love comes. Yonder is thy dear...
HERMIA
(entering)
LYSANDEE!
Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found
Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to thy sound.
But why unkindly didst thou leave me so?
LYSANDER
Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go?
HERMIA
What love could press my Lysander from my side?
LYSANDER
Lysander's love, that would not let him bide,
Why seeks't thou me? Could not this make thee know
the hate I bear thee made me leave thee so?
HERMIA
You speak not as you think; it cannot be.
HELENA
Lo, SHE is one of this confederacy!
(softly, lulling, establishing rapport with her old friend)
IN THE FOREST 2: INJURIOUS HERMIA
Injurious Hermia!
most ungrateful maid!
have you conspired,
have you with these contrived
to bait me with this foul derision?
is all the counsel that
we two have shared,
the sisters' vows,
the hours that we have spent,
when we have chid
the hasty-footed time
for parting us,
o, is it all forgot?
all school-days' friendship,
childhood innocence?
we, Hermia, like two artificial gods,
have with our needles created
HELENA & HERMIA
both one flower
both on one sampler
sitting on one cushion
both warbling of one song
both in one key
two lovely berries moulded
on one stem;
(perhaps a pinky shake or some secret shared acknowledgement of childhood friendship)
so, with two seeming bodies,
but one heart;
HELENA
(suddenly turning on Hermia, the claws coming out)
and will you rent
our ancient love asunder,
to join with men
in scorning your poor friend?
it is not friendly,
it is not maidenly.
HERMIA
I am amazed at your passionate words.
I scorn you not: it seems that you scorn me.
HELENA
Have you not set Lysander as in scorn,
to follow me and praise my eyes and face,
and made your other love, Demetrius
who even but now did spurn me with his foot,
to call me goddess, nymph, divine and rare?
precious, celestial? Wherefore speaks he this
to her he hates? And wherefore doth Lysander
deny your love, so rich within his soul,
and tender me, forsooth, affection,
but by your setting on, by your consent?
HERMIA
I understand not what you mean by this.
HELENA
Yeah, right, persever, counterfeit sad looks,
make mouths upon me when I turn my back;
wink each at other, hold the sweet jest up
if you have any pity, grace or manners,
you would not make me such an argument
but fare ye well; 'tis partly my own fault,
which death or absence soon shall remedy.
Music continues under
LYSANDER
Stay, gentle Helena; hear my excuse:
My love, my life my soul, fair Helena!
HELENA
O excellent!
HERMIA
Sweet, do not scorn her so.
DEMETRIUS
If she cannot entreat, I can compel.
LYSANDER
Thou canst compel no more than she entreat:
Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers.
Helen, I love thee; by my life, I do:
I swear by that which I will lose for thee,
To prove him false that says I love thee not.
DEMETRIUS
I say I love thee more than he can do.
LYSANDER
If thou say so, withdraw, and prove it too.
DEMETRIUS
Quick, come!
HERMIA
Lysander, whereto tends all this?
LYSANDER
Away, rank strumpet!
DEMETRIUS
No, no; he'll
Seem to break loose;
(To LYSANDER)
take on as you would follow,
But yet come not: you are a tame man, go!
LYSANDER
(to HERMIA)
Hang off, thou cat, thou burr! vile thing, let loose,
Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent!
HERMIA
Why are you grown so rude? what change is this?
Sweet love,--
LYSANDER
Thy love! out, fawning harpy, out!
Out, loathed medicine! hated potion, hence!
HERMIA
Do you not jest?
HELENA
Yes, sooth; and so do you.
LYSANDER
Demetrius, I will keep my word with thee.
DEMETRIUS
I would I had your bond, for I perceive
A weak bond holds you: I'll not trust your word.
LYSANDER
What, should I hurt her, strike her, kill her dead?
Although I hate her, I'll not harm her so.
IN THE FOREST 3: GREATER HARM THAN HATE
HERMIA
What, can you do me greater harm than hate?
Hate me! Wherefore? O me! What news, my love!
Am not I Hermia? Are not you Lysander?
I am as fair now as I was erewhile.
Since night you loved me; yet since night you left me:
why, then you left me--o, the gods forbid!--
in earnest, shall I say?
LYSANDER
Ay, by my life;
and never did desire to see thee more.
therefore be out of hope, of question, of doubt;
be certain, nothing truer; 'tis no jest
that I do hate thee and love Helena.
HERMIA
O me! You juggler! You canker-blossom!
You thief of love! What, have you come by night
and stolen my love's heart from him?
HELENA
Fine, i'faith!
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame,
No touch of bashfulness? What, will you tear
Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?
Fie, fie! you counterfeit, you puppet, you!
HERMIA
Puppet? Why so? Ay, that way goes the game.
Now I perceive that she hath made compare
between our statures; she hath urged her height;
and with her personage, her tall personage,
her height, forsooth, she hath prevail'd with him.
And are you grown so high in his esteem;
because I’m so dwarfish and so low?
HOW LOW AM I, thou painted maypole?
HOW LOW AM I? I am not yet so low
but that my nails can reach unto thine eyes.
(HERMIA attacks HELENA. HELENA retreats behind the guys, who make a human shield between the ladies. The following is sung as HERMIA continually tries to find new ways to get to HELENA and beat the crap out of her, and is stopped by DEMETRIUS and LYSANDER.)
IN THE FOREST 4: I PRAY YOU, THOUGH YOU MOCK ME
HELENA
I pray you, though you mock me, gentlemen,
let her not hurt me: I was never curst;
HERMIA
How low am I?
HELENA
I have no gift at all in shrewishness;
HERMIA
How low?
HELENA
I am a right maid for my cowardice:
let her not strike me. You perhaps may think,
because she is something lower than myself,
that I can match her.
HERMIA
Lower! hark, again.
HELENA
Good Hermia, do not be so bitter with me.
I evermore did love you, Hermia,
HERMIA
Let me at her!
HELENA
did ever keep your counsels, never wrong'd you;
save that, in love unto Demetrius,
I told him of your stealth unto this wood.
he follow'd you; for love I follow'd him;
and now, so you will let me quiet go,
to Athens will I bear my folly back
and follow you no further: let me go:
you see how simple and how fond I am.
HERMIA
Why, get you gone: who is't that hinders you?
HELENA
A foolish heart, that I leave here behind.
HERMIA
What, with Lysander?
HELENA
With Demetrius.
LYSANDER
Be not afraid; she shall not harm thee, Helena.
DEMETRIUS
No, sir, she shall not, though you take her part.
HELENA
O, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd!
She was a vixen when she went to school;
And though she be but little, she is fierce.
HERMIA
'Little' again! nothing but 'low' and 'little'!
Why will you suffer her to flout me thus?
Let me come to her.
LYSANDER
Get you gone, you dwarf;
You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made;
You bead, you acorn.
DEMETRIUS
You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services.
Let her alone: speak not of Helena;
Take not her part; for, if thou dost intend
Never so little show of love to her,
Thou shalt aby it.
LYSANDER
Now she holds me not;
Now follow, if thou darest, to try whose right,
Of thine or mine, is most in Helena.
DEMETRIUS
Follow! Nay, I'll go with thee, cheek by jowl.
Exeunt LYSANDER and DEMETRIUS
IN THE FOREST 5: ALL THIS COIL
HERMIA
You, mistress all this coil is long of you.
nay, go not back.
HELENA
I will not trust you, I,
nor longer stay in your curst company.
your hands than mine are quicker for a fray,
my legs are longer though, to run away.
Exit
HERMIA
I am amazed, and know not what to say.
Exit
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13. |
Up And Down
02:50
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Cobweb Moth and Mustardseed!
of your fine skills I am in need:
some lovers' progress to impede
with stealth, with slyness, and with speed
so cease your dancing
cease your juggling
clothe yourselves in vestments black
and join with me
for tricks and mischief
voices throw and branches crack
we'll four young persons misdirect
so their paths won't intersect.
we'll tire them out, we'll jape and clown
now let us lead them up and down
Up and down, up and down
let us lead them up and down,
here's the other, full of pride,
Cobweb, take him for a ride.
Up and down, up and down
which is sky and which is ground
turn them all the wrong way round
lead them up and lead them down
One is down, three are not
fretful fight now won't be fought
wring them 'til they're overwrought,
one is down, three are not...
Two and two, two and two,
beat the bushes, find a clue
mischief make and bedlam brew,
two and two, two and two.
Yet but three? Come one more;
Two of both kinds make up four.
thy sleeping brow no longer frown;
end thy wand'ring up and down.
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14. |
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PUCK
On the ground
Sleep sound:
I'll apply
To your eye,
Gentle lover, remedy.
(emptying the yellow capsule on LYSANDER's eyes)
When thou wakest,
Thou takest
True delight
In the sight
Of thy former lady's eye.
And the country proverb known
that every man shall take his own
in your waking shall be shown
Jack shall have Jill,
naught shall go ill,
the man shall have his mare again,
and all shall be well.
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15. |
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16. |
Ass Hat
02:04
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You wish to be a titan of the stage?
so now vouchsafe me hearing and respect
you are part lion, prowling in his cage:
proud lord of all, stand mighty and erect!
but for the other part, most consequential
is the readiness to cast aside your fear
of being thought an ass - this is essential
The best performers? All part ass, my dear!
TITANIA & GIRLS
You wear the ass hat
build your courage up thereby,
wear the ass hat
and if all should go awry,
it's all right if you fall flat on your face,
long as you get back up, and back in the race
you wear the ass hat,
and with flying colors, you shall fly.
TITANIA
an audience can smell the stink of sour desperation
that seeps from every pore when a performer's situation
is out of their control, and they are filled with a parlous fear
that this is now the end of their illustrious career.
like if one's boyfriend comes on stage and makes an ass of himself
and by extension makes an ass of you, too
then your only recourse: you grin and bear it, perforce,
and make the best of what the bastard did to you.
You wear the ass hat
build your courage up thereby,
wear the ass hat
and if all should go awry,
it's all right if you fall flat on your face,
long as you get back up, and back in the race
you wear the ass hat,
and with flying colors, you shall fly.
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17. |
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Be as thou wast wont to be
See as thou wast wont to see.
Final capsule, remedy,
Bring Titania back to me.
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18. |
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HERMIA
(genuinely worried he’s going to spurn her again)
Thus have I had thee, as a dream doth flatter,
In sleep a king, but waking no such matter.
Rise, resty love, and in my face survey
Are you my love? Is this the light of day?
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
LYSANDER
(to Hermia)
my love, I reply, amazedly
half sleeping, half waking, but I swear
I can't truly say how this came to be
opening my eyes, here with you in the open air,
I think somehow a dream tore us apart
some nightmare that we fell into
but I tell you now straight from the heart
awaking I find I dream only of you.
HERMIA
While you were sleeping
you disappeared underneath your skin
with the love you'd been keeping
LYSANDER
Oh, what a fool I've been
HERMIA
While you were sleeping
you had a drop overmuch to dream
and the tears I've been weeping
HERMIA & LYSANDER
dry in the light of a bright sunbeam
(And by now, DEMETRIUS and HELENA are awake.)
DEMETRIUS
(to Hermia and Lysander)
Fair Helen said you'd made up your mind
To the forest from Athens you would flee
And I giving chase followed close behind
in fury was I, with fair Helena following me
(turning to Helena)
to this maiden was I long betrothed
and I tell you I must have gone mad
for a sickness grew in me, so I loathed
the sight of this beauty I already had.
and I know not by what power
but by some power it is, and I must say
whatever love I had for Hermia
is now an idle fancy in the light of day
and in the daylight now, my darling
I beg you believe it, that this much is true:
all the faith, all the virtue of my heart
the object and pleasure of mine eye, for now until I die is only you.
HELENA
While you were sleeping
I didn't dare to believe you're mine
but this love I've been keeping,
I give to thee if thou give(st) me thine
DEMETRIUS
While you were sleeping
Some magic shifted my life around
and this heart started leaping,
when I awoke to the love I’d found
ALL FOUR
While you were sleeping,
while you were sleeping,
while you were sleeping...
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19. |
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PYRAMUS & THISBE: A ROCK OPERA OF MODEST PROPORTIONS
P&T 1: PROLOGUE
BOTTOM
If I offend, it is with my good will.
That you should think, I come not to offend,
But with good will. To show my simple skill. That is the true beginning of my end.
Consider then I come but in despite.
I do not come as minding to contest you,
My true intent is. All for your delight
I am not here.
HERMIA
(stage whisper to the others)
Sweet friends, are you quite sure that we should stay?
BOTTOM, now having regained his confidence, tosses away the hat and forges on.
BOTTOM
Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show;
But wonder on, till truth make all things plain.
(donning PYRAMUS costume element)
This man is Pyramus, if you would know;
(donning THISBE wig)
This beauteous lady Thisbe is certain.
(showing WALL stuff)
This thing, with lime and rough-cast, doth present
Wall, that vile Wall which did these lovers sunder;
And through Wall's chink, poor souls, they are content
To whisper. At the which let no man wonder.
(showing the lamp, etc)
This fine, attractive shiny household lamp,
it is the Moon, for in the moonlight’s gloom
And in the cemetery’s dark and dewy damp
Did these fair lovers meet at Ninny’s tomb.
(whipping out the LION puppet)
This grisly beast, which Lion hight by name,
The trusty Thisbe, coming first by night,
Did scare away, or rather did affright;
And, as she fled, her mantle she did fall,
Which Lion vile with bloody mouth did stain.
Anon comes Pyramus, sweet youth and tall,
And finds his trusty Thisbe's mantle slain:
Whereat, with blade, with bloody blameful blade,
He bravely broach’d is boiling bloody breast;
And Thisbe, tarrying in mulberry shade,
His dagger drew, and died. For all the rest,
Let Lion, Moonshine, Wall, and lovers twain
At large discourse, while here they do remain.
BOTTOM sets up the lamp in some way to indicate that it’s the moon, and it continues to shine on the “action” of the “play.” BOTTOM preps the wall stuff, and resumes singing.
DEMETRIUS
(not on board yet)
Titania’s letting this guy on the mainstage??
HELENA
(getting into it)
Pyramus draws near the wall. Silence!
P&T 2: O GRIM-LOOK’D NIGHT
PYRAMUS
O grim-look'd night! O night with hue so black!
O night, which ever art when day is not!
O night, O night! alack, alack, alack,
I fear my Thisbe's promise is forgot!
And thou, O wall, O sweet, O lovely wall,
That stand'st between her father's ground and mine!
Thou wall, O wall, O sweet and lovely wall,
Show me thy chink, to blink through with mine eyne!
(holding up his fingers)
Thanks, courteous wall: Jove shield thee well for this!
But what see I? No Thisbe do I see.
O wicked wall, through whom I see no bliss!
Cursed be thy stones for thus deceiving me!
(moving to the other side of the WALL, as THISBE)
THISBE
O wall, full often hast thou heard my moans,
For parting my fair Pyramus and me!
My cherry lips have often kiss'd thy stones,
Thy stones with lime and hair knit up in thee.
PYRAMUS
I see a voice: now will I to the chink,
To spy an I can hear my Thisbe’s face. Thisbe!
THISBE
My love thou art, my love I think.
PYRAMUS
Think what thou wilt, I am thy lover's grace;
O kiss me through the hole of this vile wall!
THISBE
I kiss the wall's hole, not your lips at all.
PYRAMUS
Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb meet me straightway?
THISBE
'Tide life, 'tide death, I come without delay.
WALL
Thus have I, Wall, my part discharged so;
And, being done, thus Wall away doth go.
Exit
HERMIA
(stage whisper)
This is the silliest stuff that ever I heard.
LYSANDER
It is the wittiest partition that ever I heard discourse.
HELENA
(Totally into it)
Shush, you guys. He’s coming back again.
P&T 3: YOU LADIES, YOU
LION (A HAND PUPPET)
You ladies, you, whose gentle hearts do fear
The smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor,
May now perchance both quake and tremble here,
When lion rough in wildest rage doth roar.
Then know that I, a handy puppet, am
A lion-fell, nor else no lion's dam;
For, if I should as lion come in strife
Into this place, 'twere pity on my life.
‘cause I’m a puppet. Yeah, I’m just a puppet.
You got no need to be afeard, babe. I got a fluffy little beard, babe.
‘Cause, I’m just a puppet, yeah, I’m just a puppet.
Well you might think that I’m a monster
But you can pet me if you want, sir.
‘cause I’m a puppet. Yeah, I’m just a puppet.
I gotta lotta pointy teeth, mon,
but Bottom's hand is underneath, mon,
'cause I'm a puppet.
Enter Thisbe
THISBE
This is old Ninny's tomb. Where is my love?
LION
[Roaring] Oh--
Thisbe runs off. The Lion puppet grips Thisbe’s mantle in its mouth and leaves a bloody stain.
LYSANDER
Well roared, Lion!
HELENA
Well run, Thisbe!
Enter Pyramus
P&T 4: SWEET MOON
PYRAMUS
Sweet Moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams;
I thank thee, Moon, for shining now so bright;
For, by thy gracious, golden, glittering gleams,
I trust to take of truest Thisbe sight.
But stay, O spite!
But mark, poor knight,
What dreadful dole is here!
BACKUP SINGERS (TITANIA & GIRLS)
What dreadful dole is here!
PYRAMUS
Eyes, do you see?
How can it be?
O dainty duck! O dear!
BACKUP SINGERS
O dainty duck O Dear!
PYRAMUS
Thy mantle good,
What, stain'd with blood!
Approach, ye Furies fell!
BACKUP SINGERS
Approach, ye Furies fell!
PYRAMUS
O Fates, come, come,
Cut thread and thrum;
PYRAMUS & BACKUP SINGERS
Quail!
Crush!
Conclude!
And quell!
Huge “Bohemian Rhapsody”-style ending.
DEMETRIUS
(after a pause)
Wow.
HELENA
Indeed! What a gripping performance!
(to BOTTOM)
Oh no, fair Pyramus! Thisbe’s not dead!
HERMIA
Pyramus can’t hear you. It’s a play.
HELENA
Right.
P&T 5: O WHEREFORE, NATURE
PYRAMUS
O wherefore, Nature, didst thou lions frame?
Since lion
PYRAMUS & BACKUP SINGERS
vile hath here deflower'd my dear:
PYRAMUS
Which is--no, no--
PYRAMUS & BACKUP SINGERS
which was the fairest dame
PYRAMUS
That lived, that loved, that liked, that look'd
with cheer.
Come, tears, confound;Out, sword, and wound
The pap of Pyramus;
Ay, that left pap,
Where heart doth hop:
Stabs himself
Thus die I, thus, thus, thus.
Now am I dead,
Now am I fled;
My soul is in the sky:
Tongue, lose thy light;
Moon take thy flight:
He turns off the lamp.
Now die, die, die, die, die.
Dies
LYSANDER, HELENA, and DEMETRIUS stand and cheer. HERMIA shushes them and pulls them back down--she knows this story from way back.
HERMIA
Be still yet, for the tale he seeks to tell
has not yet reached its full and sad conclusion.
HELENA
(completely caught up in it)
The lamp is off. Without the moonlight’s glow,
Can Thisbe find her fated Pyramus?
HERMIA
She will find him by starlight. Here she comes; and
her passion ends the play.
P&T 6: ASLEEP, MY LOVE?
THISBE
Asleep, my love?
What, dead, my dove?
O Pyramus, arise!
Speak, speak. Quite dumb?
Dead, dead? A tomb
Must cover thy sweet eyes.
These My lips,
This cherry nose,
These yellow cowslip cheeks,
Are gone, are gone:
Lovers, make moan:
His eyes were green as leeks.
O Sisters Three,
BACKUP SINGERS
O Sisters Three,
THISBE
Come, come to me,
BACKUP SINGERS
Come, come to me,
THISBE
With hands as pale as milk;
BACKUP SINGERS
As pale as milk
THISBE
Lay them in gore,
BACKUP SINGERS
Lay them in gore
THISBE
Since you have shore
BACKUP SINGERS
Since you have shore
THISBE
With shears his thread of silk.
BACKUP SINGERS
Snip, snip
THISBE
Tongue, not a word:
Come, trusty sword;
THISBE & BACKUP SINGERS
Come, blade, my breast imbrue:
Stabs herself
THISBE
And, farewell, friends;
Thus Thisbe ends:
Adieu,
adieu,
adieu.
BACKUP SINGERS
Thus Thisbe ends,
Thus Thisbe ends,
Thus Thisbe ends,
Thus Thisbe ends,
Thus Thisbe ends,
Thus Thisbe ends,
Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!
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20. |
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PUCK
(softly, to OBERON)
On the ground,
sleep sound.
I'll apply
(and PUCK cracks open the final capsule over OBERON's eyelids. )
to your eye
gentle lover,
remedy.
(OBERON wakes, sits up and gazes into PUCK's eyes, filled with love. )
When thou wakest,
Thou takest
True delight
In the sight
Of thy truest lady’s (lover’s) eye.
(OBERON kisses PUCK.)
(The rest of the COMPANY enters, all the couples hand in hand.)
FULL COMPANY (EXCEPT PUCK & OBERON)
And the country proverb known
That every man should take his own
In your waking shall be shown.
Jack shall have Jill.
Nought shall go ill.
PUCK
The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well.
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21. |
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BOTTOM
Ladies and gentlemen, masters and mistresses
We have arrived at the end of our show
We’ve added some music, and taken some liberties
Would Shakespeare have minded? hey, we’ll never know
PUCK
But purists who get up in arms about Shakespeare
well those are the people we didn't invite
BOTTOM & PUCK
the rest of you people - you fine-looking people!
we're so happy you could join us for the madness of our midsummer night
FULL COMPANY
Midsummer night
Midsummer night
Midsummer night
Midsummer night.
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