In the Midsummer Night's Dream there flows a luxuriant vein of the boldest and most fantastical invention; the most extraordinary combination of the most dissimilar ingredients seems to have arisen without effort by some ingenious and lucky accident, and the colors are of such clear transparency that we think the whole of the variegated fabric may be blown away with a breath. The fairy world here described resembles those elegant pieces of Arabesque where little Genii, with butterfly wings, rise, half embodied, above the flower cups.-SCHLEGEL, Lectures.

A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM

HIPPOLYTA, queen of the Amazons, betrothed to Theseus
HERMIA, daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander
HELENA, in love with Demetrius

Other fairies attending their King and Queen. Attendants on

Theseus and Hippolyta

SCENE: Athens, and a wood near it

SYNOPSIS

By J. ELLIS BURDICK

ACT I

Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, are betrothed. Theseus finding the time before the marriage-ceremony hanging heavily on his hands orders the revels to start immediately. Six Athenian tradesmen-Quince, Snug, Bottom, Flute, Snout, and Starveling-prepare a play for the Duke.

In Athens is a law which says a daughter must marry the man chosen by her father or her father can cause her to be put to death. Among the Athenian maidens is one named Hermia, who loves and is loved by a youth named Lysander. Another youth, Demetrius by name, also desires to marry Hermia. The latter is favored by Egeus, Hermia's father. Egeus brings the trio before the Duke, invoking him to command Hermia to wed Demetrius. Theseus orders her to obey her father within four days, allowing the alternative of death or of a life in a convent. Hermia and Lysander decide to flee to the latter's aunt in another city. They reveal their intentions to Helena, who loves Demetrius but has been jilted by him. She resolves to tell Demetrius of the lovers' flight that she may have the uncertain pleasure of following him to Hermia and Lysander's trysting-place.

ACT II

In the forest near Athens where Lysander and Hermia are to meet dwell the fairies over whom Oberon and Titania rule. This fairy king and queen are quarreling over a