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Act 1 • Scene 4
I’ll be a candle-holder and look on.
MERCUTIO: We’ll get you out of this bad mood.
Come on.
ROMEO: We mean well, in going to this party,
But it is not a good idea to go.
MERCUTIO: Why, may one ask?
ROMEO: I dreamed a dream last night.
MERCUTIO: Ah! Queen Mab has been with you.
She is the Fairy Queen no bigger than a gem
On the ring on a man’s finger. She travels
In a tiny carriage drawn by little creatures
Across men’s noses as they lie asleep.
Her wagon-spokes are made of spiders’ legs.
The cover is made of grasshoppers’ wings.
The reins are of the smallest spider’s web.
Her whip is made of cricket’s bone.
Her driver is a small gray gnat,
Not half so big as a round little worm.
Her chariot is an empty hazel nut.
In this state, she gallops night after night
Through lovers’ brains—they dream of love.
Over lawyers’ fingers—they dream of fees.
Over ladies’ lips—they dream of kisses.
This is the same Mab who tickles
A parson’s nose as he lies asleep.
This is the same Mab that braids the manes
Of horses in the night
And tangles your hair in bed.
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