AI-Generated Graded Readers
Masaru Uchida, Gifu University
Publication webpage:
https://www1.gifu-u.ac.jp/~masaru/a1/ai-generated_graded_readers.html
Publication date: March 19, 2026
About This Edition
This book is a simplified English adaptation created for extensive reading practice.
The text was generated using ChatGPT and prepared for intermediate English learners as part of an educational project.
Target reading level: CEFR A2-B1
This edition aims to support fluency development through accessible vocabulary, expanded narration, and improved readability while preserving the original story structure.
Source Text
Original work: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Author: William Shakespeare
Source: Project Gutenberg
https://www.gutenberg.org/
Full text available at:
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1514/pg1514.txt
The original text is in the public domain.
Copyright and Use
This simplified edition is intended for educational and non-commercial use only.
The source text is provided by Project Gutenberg under its public domain policy.
Users should refer to the Project Gutenberg License for full terms:
https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html
This adaptation was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and edited for readability and educational purposes.
Disclaimer
This edition is an educational adaptation and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Project Gutenberg.
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William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Simplified Edition, Adapted and Simplified by ChatGPT)
Dramatis Personae
THESEUS — Duke of Athens
HIPPOLYTA — Queen of the Amazons, to be married to Theseus
EGEUS — Father of Hermia
HERMIA — Daughter of Egeus, in love with Lysander
LYSANDER — A young man of Athens, in love with Hermia
DEMETRIUS — A young man of Athens, loved by Helena, chosen by Egeus for Hermia
HELENA — A young woman of Athens, in love with Demetrius
OBERON — King of the Fairies
TITANIA — Queen of the Fairies
PUCK (Robin Goodfellow) — A playful fairy, servant to Oberon
PETER QUINCE — A carpenter, leader of the players
NICK BOTTOM — A weaver, plays Pyramus
FRANCIS FLUTE — A bellows-mender, plays Thisbe
TOM SNOUT — A tinker, plays the Wall
SNUG — A joiner, plays the Lion
ROBIN STARVELING — A tailor, plays Moonshine
PHILOSTRATE — Master of the Duke’s entertainments
FAIRIES — Servants of Titania
Part 1
THESEUS. Now, Hippolyta, our wedding day is near. Only four days remain, but they feel long to me. I cannot wait for the time to pass. The moon moves too slowly, and it seems to hold back our joy. I wish the night would come sooner, so that we may be married and begin our new life together.
HIPPOLYTA. The four days will pass quickly, my lord. They will turn into nights, and those nights will pass like dreams. Soon the time will come, and we will stand together at our wedding.
THESEUS. Go, Philostrate. Wake the young people of Athens. Let them prepare games, music, and celebration. This wedding must be full of joy. We will not have a quiet or sad feast.
PHILOSTRATE. I will do as you say, my lord. I will bring together all who can make the time lively and bright.
THESEUS. Go quickly.
(Philostrate leaves.)
THESEUS. Come, Hippolyta. The time is near, and my heart grows light when I think of it.
(Egeus enters with Hermia, Lysander, and Demetrius.)
EGEUS. My noble lord, I come with a heavy heart. I bring a complaint against my daughter, Hermia. She will not obey me. I have chosen Demetrius for her, a man worthy and of good name. Yet she refuses him. Instead, she loves this man, Lysander, who has turned her mind away from her duty.
THESEUS. What is this, Hermia? Why do you not follow your father’s will? You know that a daughter must obey her father. He is like a god to you. He has given you life, and he has the right to guide it.
HERMIA. My lord, I ask you to forgive me, but I must speak the truth. I do respect my father. Yet I love Lysander, and I cannot change my heart.
EGEUS. This man has filled her ears with sweet words. He has given her gifts, sung songs beneath her window, and taken her love from me. He has stolen her as if by magic.
LYSANDER. My lord, I have done nothing wrong. I love Hermia, and she loves me. My birth is as good as Demetrius’s. My wealth is as great. My love is true. Why should I not have her?
DEMETRIUS. My lord, I do love Hermia, and her father gives her to me. That should be enough.
LYSANDER. You once loved Helena, and she still loves you. You have turned away from her, yet she follows you still.
THESEUS. That may be true, Demetrius, but it is not the matter before us now. Hermia, you must understand your position. If you refuse your father’s choice, you must face the law. You may be put to death, or you must give up the world and live alone as a nun, without marriage, without children, without joy.
HERMIA. My lord, that is a hard choice. I do not know how to answer at once.
THESEUS. Take time to think. When the day of my wedding comes, you must give your answer. Until then, consider your duty.
EGEUS. I ask that the law be carried out, my lord. I will not change my will.
THESEUS. It shall be so. Hermia, think well on what you will do. Come, Hippolyta. Let us leave them.
(Theseus and Hippolyta leave with Egeus and Demetrius.)
LYSANDER. How now, my love? Why is your face so pale? These troubles have come too suddenly.
HERMIA. Love seems to be full of pain. Nothing ever goes smoothly. It is always crossed by parents, by law, or by chance.
LYSANDER. It is true. Love is never simple. But I have a plan. I have an aunt who lives far from Athens. She has no children and loves me as her own son. If we go there, the law of Athens cannot touch us. We can be married and live in peace.
HERMIA. That gives me hope. Tell me what we must do.
LYSANDER. Tomorrow night, when the moon is dark, meet me in the wood outside the city. We will leave together and go to my aunt’s house.
HERMIA. I will be there. No matter what happens, I will not fail you.
LYSANDER. Then all will be well. Be brave, my dear love.
HELENA enters.
HERMIA. Helena, you look sad. What troubles you?
HELENA. I am always sad, Hermia. Demetrius loves you, and you do not want him. Yet I love him, and he does not see me at all. I would give anything to be in your place.
HERMIA. I wish you could have him. I do not want his love.
HELENA. Your eyes have power over him. Your voice draws him near. Teach me how to be like you, so that he may love me.
HERMIA. I do not know how I do it. I wish he would leave me alone.
LYSANDER. Helena, we plan to leave Athens. Tomorrow night we will go into the wood and travel far away. Then Demetrius will no longer see Hermia.
HERMIA. Yes, we will be gone. You will be free from this trouble.
HELENA. (aside) If I tell Demetrius, he will follow her into the wood. Then I may see him again, even if he is angry with me. That will be better than not seeing him at all.
HERMIA. Come, Lysander. We must go now.
LYSANDER. Good night, Helena.
HELENA. Good night.
(Lysander and Hermia leave.)
HELENA. Love makes fools of us all. I will go to Demetrius and tell him what I have learned. Perhaps he will thank me. Even if he does not, I will follow him into the wood. I cannot stay away.
(She leaves.)
Part 2
QUINCE. Friends, here is the list of all the actors. We have been chosen to perform a play before the Duke on his wedding day. It is a fine play, full of sorrow and love. It is called The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe.
BOTTOM. That sounds very good. It has both joy and sadness. Tell us our parts, and we will do them well.
QUINCE. First, Peter Quince, I am the writer of the play. Nick Bottom, you will play Pyramus.
BOTTOM. What is Pyramus? Is he a lover, or a fighter?
QUINCE. He is a lover who dies in the end.
BOTTOM. That will be a fine part. I will make the people cry. Or if I choose, I can make them laugh as well. I can do anything.
QUINCE. Francis Flute, you will play Thisbe.
FLUTE. Thisbe? But that is a woman.
QUINCE. Yes, you must play a woman.
FLUTE. I do not like that. I have a beard coming.
QUINCE. It does not matter. You can wear a mask.
BOTTOM. Let me play Thisbe too. I can speak in a soft voice. “Oh Pyramus, my love!” See? I can do it well.
QUINCE. No, Bottom. You must be Pyramus, and Flute will be Thisbe.
BOTTOM. Very well. Go on.
QUINCE. Tom Snout, you will play the wall.
SNOUT. The wall? How can a man play a wall?
QUINCE. You will stand still, and you will show the crack in the wall with your fingers.
BOTTOM. That will be easy. He can hold his fingers like this, and the lovers can speak through the space.
QUINCE. Robin Starveling, you will play Moonshine.
STARVELING. What is Moonshine?
QUINCE. You will carry a lantern, and that will show the moon.
BOTTOM. Yes, yes, that is good.
QUINCE. And Snug the joiner, you will play the lion.
SNUG. The lion? I am afraid I cannot remember many lines.
QUINCE. You do not need many lines. You only need to roar.
BOTTOM. Let me play the lion too. I will roar so well that the Duke will say, “Let him roar again!”
QUINCE. No, Bottom. You would frighten the ladies. That would not be good.
BOTTOM. Then I will roar softly, like a dove. Or I can roar gently, like a night bird.
QUINCE. No. Snug will be the lion. Now, listen. We must meet tomorrow night in the wood, outside the city. There we can practice our play in secret. If we stay in the city, people may hear us and laugh too soon.
BOTTOM. Good idea. We will meet there and work hard. I will learn my part and be ready.
QUINCE. Then it is settled. Do not be late. We must do our best, for the Duke will be watching.
BOTTOM. Do not worry. We will perform so well that all will praise us.
(They leave.)
(Meanwhile, in another part of the wood, two fairies meet.)
FAIRY. Who are you? You move quickly through the night.
PUCK. I am that merry spirit. Some call me Puck. I play tricks on people. I make them laugh, and sometimes I make them afraid. I serve the fairy king, Oberon.
FAIRY. Then you must be careful. The fairy queen, Titania, is near. She and Oberon are not friends now. They argue over a small boy she keeps with her. Oberon wants the boy, but Titania will not give him up.
PUCK. I know their quarrel. It has made the weather strange. The seasons are out of order, and the world is not as it should be.
FAIRY. Yes, everything is mixed and troubled. But here comes Oberon. I must go.
(Oberon enters, and Titania follows with her train.)
OBERON. Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.
TITANIA. What, jealous Oberon? Why are you here? I will not stay where you are.
OBERON. Give me the boy, and I will go.
TITANIA. No. I will not give him to you. His mother was my friend, and I care for him because of her. I will not leave him.
OBERON. Then I will trouble you. You shall not rest until I have what I want.
TITANIA. Come, fairies. We will go away from him.
(Titania leaves with her fairies.)
OBERON. Well, go your way. But I have a plan. Puck!
PUCK. I am here, my lord.
OBERON. Do you remember a small flower? It was once white, but it was struck by Cupid’s arrow and turned purple. Its juice has magic power. If it is placed on the eyes of one who sleeps, that person will fall in love with the first living thing they see when they wake.
PUCK. Yes, I know that flower.
OBERON. Bring it to me quickly.
PUCK. I will go at once and return before you can count to one hundred.
(Puck runs off.)
OBERON. I saw a young man from Athens in the wood. He followed a young woman who did not love him. She begged him to leave her, but he would not. I will use this flower to help her. When the man sleeps, I will touch his eyes. Then he will love the woman who loves him.
(Puck returns.)
PUCK. I have the flower.
OBERON. Give it to me. Now listen. Go and find that man from Athens. He wears Athenian clothes. Put some of this juice on his eyes while he sleeps. When he wakes, he will love the first person he sees. Be careful to do it right.
PUCK. I will not fail, my lord.
(He leaves.)
OBERON. And now I will find Titania. When she sleeps, I will place this magic on her eyes. When she wakes, she will fall in love with some strange creature. Then I will take the boy from her. After that, I will remove the spell, and all will be well again.
(He leaves.)
Part 3
TITANIA. Come, my fairies. Sing me to sleep. The night is soft, and I wish to rest among the flowers. Stay near me, and keep away all harm.
FAIRIES. We will stay close, and we will guard you well. No snake shall come near, no spider shall touch you, and no shadow shall frighten your rest.
TITANIA. Then sing, and let your voices be gentle.
FAIRIES. Sleep, sleep, and rest in peace. Let sweet dreams come and keep you safe. The night is kind, and all is calm.
(Titania lies down and sleeps. The fairies sing softly, then slowly leave.)
OBERON enters.
OBERON. She is asleep. Now I will use the magic. When she wakes, she will love the first thing she sees. It may be a beast, or some strange and foolish creature. So shall I have my way.
(He places the juice on her eyes.)
OBERON. Sleep on, and wake to wonder.
(He leaves.)
(Enter Lysander and Hermia.)
LYSANDER. My dear love, the night is long, and we are tired. Let us rest here until morning.
HERMIA. I am weary, but I will not lie too close to you. We are not yet married, and we must keep some space between us.
LYSANDER. As you wish. We will rest apart, but near enough to speak if we wake.
HERMIA. That is best. Good night, Lysander.
LYSANDER. Good night, Hermia.
(They lie down to sleep.)
PUCK enters.
PUCK. Here is the man in Athenian clothes. He sleeps beside a woman. This must be the one my master spoke of. I will do my work quickly.
(He places the juice on Lysander’s eyes.)
PUCK. When you wake, you will love what you first see.
(He leaves.)
(Enter Demetrius and Helena, running.)
HELENA. Stay, Demetrius! Do not run from me. I follow you because I love you.
DEMETRIUS. I do not love you. Leave me alone. I want nothing from you.
HELENA. You are cruel. You push me away, yet I cannot stop following you. I would rather have your anger than your silence.
DEMETRIUS. Do not follow me into this wood. It is dark and full of danger. I will not protect you.
HELENA. I do not ask for your help. I only ask to be near you.
DEMETRIUS. Then you are a fool. Stay behind me if you must, but I will not wait.
(He runs off.)
HELENA. He runs as if I were his enemy. Still, I will follow him. Love makes me brave, or perhaps it makes me blind.
(She sees Lysander on the ground.)
HELENA. What is this? A man lies here. He does not move. Is he dead? No, he breathes. It is Lysander. I will wake him.
(She shakes him.)
HELENA. Lysander, wake up. The night is not safe for sleep in this place.
(Lysander wakes.)
LYSANDER. My sweet lady, your voice is like music. Your face is more beautiful than anything I have ever seen.
HELENA. What are you saying? This is a joke, and not a kind one.
LYSANDER. I do not joke. I love you more than anything in the world. I do not love Hermia anymore. You are the one I want.
HELENA. This is cruel. You know I love Demetrius. Why do you make fun of me?
LYSANDER. I speak the truth. I will follow you wherever you go.
HELENA. Do not follow me. I do not trust your words.
(She runs off.)
LYSANDER. I will follow her. I cannot stay here.
(He runs after Helena.)
(Hermia wakes.)
HERMIA. Lysander? Where are you? Why have you left me alone? This is not like you. Something is wrong. I must find him.
(She stands and looks around.)
HERMIA. The night feels strange, and I am afraid. But I will not stop until I find him.
(She leaves.)
Part 4
QUINCE. Are we all here? We must begin our practice. This wood is quiet, and no one will disturb us. Let us try the play from the start.
BOTTOM. Yes, let us begin at once. I am ready. I will show you how well I can play Pyramus.
FLUTE. And I will do my best as Thisbe, though I still do not like the part.
SNUG. I will try to roar, but I am still afraid I may forget what to do.
QUINCE. Do not worry. We will go slowly. Now, listen. This play may frighten the ladies. The lion must not seem too real, or they will run away.
BOTTOM. That is true. We must not frighten them too much. Perhaps we should tell them that the lion is not a real lion.
QUINCE. Yes, we can say that before the play begins.
BOTTOM. And what about Pyramus? I must die in the play. That may also frighten the ladies.
QUINCE. Then we can explain that as well. We will tell them that no one is truly hurt.
BOTTOM. Good. That will keep everyone calm.
QUINCE. Now, let us begin. Pyramus, speak your first lines.
BOTTOM. (as Pyramus) “O Thisbe, my love, my dear Thisbe! I come to meet you at the wall.”
PUCK enters quietly.
PUCK. What fools these men are. They try to act, but they do not know how. I will have some fun with them.
QUINCE. Go on, Bottom. Speak clearly.
BOTTOM. (as Pyramus) “I see a crack in the wall. Through this small space, I will speak to my love.”
SNOUT. (as Wall) Here is the wall, and here is the crack.
FLUTE. (as Thisbe) “O Pyramus, I hear your voice. I wish I could see your face.”
PUCK. I will change this man and see what happens.
(He places a spell on Bottom’s head, giving him the head of an ass.)
BOTTOM. (continuing) “I will meet you at the place we have chosen.”
QUINCE. Stop! What is this? Oh no!
SNOUT. Look at him! His head!
SNUG. It is a monster!
STARVELING. Run! Run away!
(They all run off in fear.)
BOTTOM. Why do they run? What have I done? They are trying to frighten me, but I am not afraid. I will sing to show that I am not afraid.
(He sings loudly.)
TITANIA wakes.
TITANIA. What voice is this that breaks my sleep? It is sweet and strange. I feel my heart drawn to it.
(She sees Bottom.)
TITANIA. O beautiful creature, what a lovely face you have. I love you. Stay with me.
BOTTOM. Madam, I think you are mistaken. I am only a simple man.
TITANIA. No, you are more than that. You are wonderful. Come with me. My fairies will serve you. They will bring you food and flowers.
BOTTOM. If it pleases you, I will go. I do not see why I should refuse.
TITANIA. Fairies, come here!
(Enter fairies.)
TITANIA. Be kind to this gentle creature. Bring him all that he needs.
FAIRIES. We will do as you say.
BOTTOM. I would like some hay, if you have it. And perhaps some oats.
FAIRIES. We will bring it to you at once.
TITANIA. Come, my love. Let us rest together.
(They leave.)
OBERON enters.
OBERON. I have seen enough. Titania is in love with a foolish creature. Now I will take the boy while she is distracted. Then I will free her from the spell.
PUCK enters.
PUCK. My lord, I have done as you asked. The Athenian man now loves the woman who follows him.
OBERON. You have made a mistake. The man you enchanted was not Demetrius, but another. Now two men love Helena, and the woman who loved him is left alone.
PUCK. I thought I had the right man. They all look alike in the dark.
OBERON. This must be fixed. Go and find Helena. I will enchant Demetrius, so that he will love her as well. Then we will bring order back to this confusion.
PUCK. I will go at once.
(He leaves.)
OBERON. I will watch and see what happens next.
(He leaves.)
Part 5
OBERON. Here is the man I seek. He is the one who refused the woman who loves him. Now I will place the magic on his eyes, and he will see her with new love when he wakes.
(He places the juice on Demetrius’s eyes.)
OBERON. When you wake, you will love the one who follows you. Your heart will change, and all will be made right.
(He steps aside.)
HELENA enters, followed by Lysander.
HELENA. Why do you follow me? I do not believe your words. You once loved Hermia. Now you say you love me. It cannot be true.
LYSANDER. It is true. My heart has changed. I love you and only you. Do not run from me.
HELENA. You mock me. This is cruel. I would rather be alone than be laughed at.
LYSANDER. I do not laugh. I am serious. Stay and hear me.
(They come near Demetrius, who is still sleeping.)
HELENA. Here lies Demetrius. I will wake him, and he will protect me from you.
(She wakes Demetrius.)
DEMETRIUS. O Helena, my love! I see you now, and I know my heart. I love you more than anything. I was blind before, but now I see clearly.
HELENA. This is worse than before. Now you both speak the same false words. You have joined together to make fun of me.
LYSANDER. Demetrius, you have no right to speak to her. She is mine.
DEMETRIUS. No, she is mine. I love her, and she will love me in return.
HELENA. Stop! I cannot bear this. You both speak as if I were a game.
LYSANDER. I will fight you for her.
DEMETRIUS. Then we will fight. Come, let us go apart and settle this.
HELENA. I will not stay to see this. You are both cruel.
(She runs off.)
LYSANDER. I will follow her.
(He runs off.)
DEMETRIUS. And I will follow as well.
(He runs off.)
HERMIA enters.
HERMIA. Lysander? Where are you? I have searched everywhere. I cannot find him. My heart is full of fear.
(Helena returns, still upset.)
HERMIA. Helena, have you seen Lysander? Tell me where he is.
HELENA. Do not speak to me. You have joined with them to laugh at me. I thought you were my friend, but now I see I was wrong.
HERMIA. What do you mean? I do not understand.
HELENA. You have sent both men to follow me, to speak sweet words and make me feel foolish. You have made a sport of my pain.
HERMIA. I have done no such thing. I do not know why they act this way.
HELENA. Do not pretend. I trusted you.
HERMIA. I speak the truth. I love Lysander, and I do not want Demetrius. I would be glad if you had his love.
HELENA. Your words are empty. I see through them now.
HERMIA. Why are you angry with me? I have always been kind to you.
HELENA. Kind? You call this kindness? You have taken everything from me.
HERMIA. That is not true. You are my friend.
HELENA. Not anymore.
(They move closer, full of anger.)
HERMIA. I will not be treated like this. You are wrong, and I will not accept your blame.
HELENA. You are smaller than I am, but I do not fear you.
HERMIA. I may be small, but I am not weak.
(They prepare to fight.)
OBERON enters.
OBERON. This is worse than I thought. The mistake has grown, and all are in pain. Puck must fix this at once.
PUCK enters.
PUCK. I have followed them through the wood. They are ready to fight.
OBERON. You must lead them apart. Use your voice to call them away from each other. Make them tired. Then, when they sleep, I will correct the spell.
PUCK. I will do as you say.
(He runs off.)
OBERON. Soon this confusion will end, and all will return to peace.
(He leaves.)
Part 6
PUCK. I will lead them through the dark and keep them apart. I will change my voice and call to them from different places. They will chase shadows and grow tired.
(Enter Lysander.)
LYSANDER. Where are you, Demetrius? Come and face me. Do not hide in the dark.
PUCK. (in Demetrius’s voice) I am here. Follow me if you dare.
LYSANDER. I hear you. I am coming.
(He runs in one direction.)
PUCK. Now I will call the other.
(Enter Demetrius.)
DEMETRIUS. Lysander, where are you? Come and fight me.
PUCK. (in Lysander’s voice) I am here. Come this way.
DEMETRIUS. I will find you.
(He runs in another direction.)
PUCK. They will run until they are too tired to stand. Then I will bring them together again, but not for fighting.
(Enter Helena.)
HELENA. I am lost. I do not know where to go. The night is cold, and I am alone. I wish this dream would end.
PUCK. Poor lady. She is caught in this trouble, yet she has done no wrong. I will guide her to a place where she can rest.
PUCK. (softly) This way, gentle one. Come and rest.
HELENA. I hear a voice. It sounds kind. I will follow it.
(She moves slowly and lies down.)
HELENA. I am so tired. I will sleep for a while.
(She sleeps.)
PUCK. Now for the others.
(Enter Lysander, tired.)
LYSANDER. I cannot run any longer. My strength is gone. I will rest here and wait for morning.
(He lies down and sleeps.)
(Enter Demetrius, also tired.)
DEMETRIUS. The night has taken all my strength. I will lie here and sleep.
(He lies down and sleeps.)
PUCK. All are asleep now. My master will soon come to set things right.
OBERON enters.
OBERON. Have you done as I asked?
PUCK. Yes, my lord. They are all asleep. The night has calmed them.
OBERON. Then I will remove the false love from Lysander. When he wakes, he will love Hermia again, as before.
(He places the juice on Lysander’s eyes.)
OBERON. Now all will be as it should be. Demetrius will still love Helena, and that is well. The others will return to their true hearts.
PUCK. It was a strange night, full of confusion. But it will end in peace.
OBERON. Stay near, and watch until they wake.
(They step back.)
(Enter Titania with Bottom and fairies.)
TITANIA. Come, my love. Sit beside me. Let the fairies care for you.
BOTTOM. I am very comfortable here. I have never been treated so well.
TITANIA. Bring him fruits and flowers. Let him rest in soft leaves.
FAIRIES. We will serve him gladly.
OBERON. Now I see her. She is still under the spell. I will take the boy from her while she does not notice.
(He gently takes the changeling boy.)
OBERON. I have what I wanted. Now I will free her from this magic.
(He places another herb on Titania’s eyes.)
OBERON. When you wake, you will see things as they are.
(Titania sleeps.)
PUCK. Soon all will be right again.
OBERON. Yes. The night is ending, and the day will bring peace.
Part 7
OBERON. Wake now, my queen. The spell is gone, and you may see the world as it is again.
TITANIA. What strange dream have I had? I thought I loved a creature with a foolish face. How can that be?
OBERON. Do not think of it. The night has played tricks on us all. Come, let us be friends again.
TITANIA. I remember now that we were in anger. I do not wish to fight anymore. Let us be at peace.
OBERON. Then all is well. We have the boy, and our quarrel is ended. Come, we will dance together and bless this place.
TITANIA. Yes, let us go.
(They leave with the fairies.)
PUCK. The night has brought much trouble, but it ends in joy. I will watch the lovers until they wake.
(Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, and Egeus, with hunters.)
THESEUS. The morning is fresh, and the air is cool. It is a good day for the hunt. Let us follow the sound of the dogs.
HIPPOLYTA. The sound is sweet and clear. It brings peace to the heart.
EGEUS. My lord, look there. There are the young people.
THESEUS. Let us go to them.
(They approach the sleeping lovers.)
THESEUS. Wake, young friends. What brings you here in the wood?
(Hermia wakes, then Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius.)
HERMIA. My lord, I do not know how we came here. It feels like a dream.
LYSANDER. We ran away from Athens, but I cannot remember all that happened.
HELENA. I thought I was being mocked, but now everything seems calm.
DEMETRIUS. My lord, my love has changed. I no longer love Hermia. I love Helena, and my heart is true.
EGEUS. This is not right. He was to marry Hermia.
THESEUS. I have heard enough. The morning has changed many things. Demetrius loves Helena, and Lysander loves Hermia. Let it be so. We will join them in marriage with us today.
HERMIA. Thank you, my lord.
LYSANDER. We are grateful.
HELENA. I can hardly believe this joy.
DEMETRIUS. My heart is at peace.
THESEUS. Come, let us return to Athens. There will be a great feast and celebration.
(They all leave.)
BOTTOM wakes.
BOTTOM. I have had a strange dream. I thought I had the head of an animal, and a queen loved me. It is too strange to understand. I will go to my friends and tell them what happened.
(He stands and looks around.)
BOTTOM. This dream is beyond all sense. I cannot explain it, but I will try.
(He leaves.)
Part 8
QUINCE. Where is Bottom? We have lost him, and without him we cannot perform the play. The Duke’s wedding day is here, and we are not ready.
FLUTE. I fear he is gone. Perhaps he was taken by some wild thing in the wood.
SNOUT. If he does not return, we cannot act. There is no one who can play Pyramus as he can.
STARVELING. All our work will be wasted.
SNUG. This is a great loss. We were so close to success.
BOTTOM enters.
BOTTOM. Friends, do not be afraid. I am here.
QUINCE. Bottom! Where have you been? We were in despair.
BOTTOM. I have had an adventure that I cannot fully explain. But there is no time to tell it now. We must go at once and perform before the Duke.
FLUTE. We are ready, now that you are here.
SNOUT. Let us go quickly.
QUINCE. Yes, we must not be late.
BOTTOM. Come, friends. We will show them what we can do.
(They leave.)
(In the palace of Athens.)
THESEUS. Now that we are married, let us enjoy the evening. What entertainment shall we have?
PHILOSTRATE. My lord, there are several choices. There is a play full of sorrow, a song of old heroes, and a strange comedy by a group of craftsmen.
THESEUS. Tell me about the comedy.
PHILOSTRATE. It is called Pyramus and Thisbe. It is meant to be a sad story, but the actors are not skilled. It may seem foolish.
THESEUS. That may be the best choice. A simple play can still give us joy. Let us see it.
HIPPOLYTA. I am not sure it will be good, but we will watch.
THESEUS. Bring in the players.
(The craftsmen enter.)
QUINCE. Most noble Duke, we present our play. We hope you will enjoy it.
THESEUS. Begin when you are ready.
QUINCE. First, we will explain that the lion is not real, and that no one will be harmed.
THESEUS. That is kind of you.
BOTTOM. (as Pyramus) “O Thisbe, my love, I come to meet you.”
FLUTE. (as Thisbe) “O Pyramus, I will meet you by the wall.”
SNOUT. (as Wall) Here is the wall, and here is the crack.
THESEUS. This is very simple, but it is amusing.
HIPPOLYTA. Yes, it is strange, but I enjoy it.
BOTTOM. (as Pyramus) “I must go now, but I will return.”
FLUTE. (as Thisbe) “I will wait for you.”
SNUG. (as Lion) Roar!
HIPPOLYTA. The lion is not very frightening.
THESEUS. No, but it is well meant.
FLUTE. (as Thisbe) “O no! My love is dead!”
BOTTOM. (as Pyramus) “I die for love!”
THESEUS. They try very hard.
HIPPOLYTA. Yes, and that makes it pleasant.
QUINCE. This is the end of our play.
THESEUS. Thank you. It was a good effort.
BOTTOM. We are glad you enjoyed it.
(They bow and leave.)
THESEUS. The night grows late. Let us go to bed.
HIPPOLYTA. Yes, the day has been long.
(They leave.)
Part 9
OBERON. The house is quiet now. The people sleep, and the night is ours again. Come, Titania, let us bless this place.
TITANIA. Yes, let us move softly through the rooms. We will bring peace and good fortune to all who rest here.
PUCK. I will go before you and make the way clear. No harm will come to this house tonight.
OBERON. Touch each door and each bed. Let the couples sleep in love, and let no child be born with sorrow or fear.
TITANIA. We will give them happy lives. Their days will be full of joy, and their nights will be calm.
(They move slowly as if passing through the house.)
OBERON. Now all is well. The quarrels are ended, and the world is in order again.
TITANIA. The lovers are joined, and the day has ended in peace.
PUCK. The night has been full of strange sights, but it has led to a good end.
OBERON. Come, my queen. Let us go.
TITANIA. I am with you.
(They leave together.)
PUCK. If we shadows have done wrong, think of it as a dream. If you have been troubled, let that trouble pass away. We have tried to bring you joy. If you are pleased, then we are friends. If not, we will try again another time. Give us your hands, if we have earned them, and we will make all things right. Good night to you all.
[The End]