Act 1, Scene 1

Athens. The palace of THESEUS.

     Enter THESEUS, HIPPOLYTA, PHILOSTRATE, and Attendants

THESEUS

     Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
     Draws on apace; four happy days bring in
     Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow
     This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires,
     Like to a step-dame or a dowager
     Long withering out a young man revenue.

HIPPOLYTA

     Four days will quickly steep themselves in night;
     Four nights will quickly dream away the time;
     And then the moon, like to a silver bow
     New-bent in heaven, shall behold the night
     Of our solemnities.
