[Flourish. Exit.]
ACT I
SCENE I. Athens. Before a temple
Enter Hymen with a torch burning; a Boy, in a white robe before singing, and strewing flowers. After Hymen, a Nymph encompassed in her tresses, bearing a wheaten garland; then Theseus between two other Nymphs with wheaten chaplets on their heads. Then Hippolyta, the bride, led by Pirithous, and another holding a garland over her head, her tresses likewise hanging. After her, Emilia, holding up her train. Then Artesius and Attendants.
[Music.]
The Song
Roses, their sharp spines being gone,
Not royal in their smells alone,
But in their hue;
Maiden pinks of odour faint,
Daisies smell-less, yet most quaint,
And sweet thyme true;
Primrose, first-born child of Ver,
Merry springtime’s harbinger,
With harebells dim,
Oxlips in their cradles growing,
Marigolds on deathbeds blowing,
Lark’s-heels trim;
[Strews flowers.]
All dear Nature’s children sweet
Lie ’fore bride and bridegroom’s feet,
Blessing their sense.
Not an angel of the air,
Bird melodious or bird fair,
Is absent hence.