《莎士比亚四大喜剧》

莎士比亚留存至今的戏剧三十多部，其中悲剧和喜剧都各有特点。本书包括四大喜剧《第十二夜》《仲夏夜之梦》《威尼斯商人》《皆大欢喜》，代表了莎士比亚喜剧艺术的最高成就。剧作歌颂爱情与友谊以及人性纯洁美好的一面。 　　《皆大欢喜》、《第十二夜》中那些追求爱情自由的年轻人历经磨难，终成眷属。《仲夏夜之梦》堪称莎士比亚最成熟的喜剧作品，情调轻松。《威尼斯商人》则通过安东尼奥的形象，对友谊和仁爱精神极尽赞美，同时再次讴歌了爱情的纯洁与朴实，表现了人文主义的生活理想。

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM

~1~

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

~83~

TWELFTH NIGHT

~181~

AS YOU LIKE IT

~269~
 

ACT I




Scene 1




The palace of Theseus.




Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, [Philostrate,]withothers.




THESEUS Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour




Draws on apace. Four happy daysbring in




Another moon; but, O, methinks,how slow




This old moon wanes! shelingers my desires,




Like to a stepdame, or adowager,




Long withering out a young mansrevenue.




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.




THESEUS Go, Philostrate,




Stir up the Athenian youth tomerriments,




Awake the pert and nimblespirit of mirth,




Turn melancholy forth tofunerals;




The pale companion is not forour pomp.




[ExitPhilostrate.]




Hippolyta, I wooed thee with mysword,




And won thy love, doing theeinjuries;




But I will wed thee in another key,




With pomp, with triumph and withreveling.




Enter Egeus and his daughter Hermia, and Lysander, and Demetrius.




EGEUS Happy be Theseus, our renownèd Duke!




THESEUS Thanks, good Egeus. Whats the news with thee?




EGEUS Full of vexation come I, with complaint




Against my child, my daughterHermia.




Stand forth, Demetrius. Mynoble lord,




This man hath my consent tomarry her.




Stand forth, Lysander. And, mygracious Duke




This man hath bewitched thebosom of my child.




Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hastgiven her rhymes,




And interchanged love tokenswith my child.




Thou hast by moonlight at herwindow sung,




With feigning voice, verses offeigning love,




And stoln the impression ofher fantasy




With bracelets of thy hair,rings, gauds, conceits,




Knacks, trifles, nosegays,sweetmeats, messengers




Of strong prevailment inunhardened youth.




With cunning hast thou filchedmy daughters heart,




Turned her obedience, which isdue to me,




To stubborn harshness. And, mygracious Duke,




Be it so she will not herebefore your Grace




Consent to marry withDemetrius,




I beg the ancient privilege ofAthens:




As she is mine, I may disposeof her,




Which shall be either to thisgentleman




Or to her death, according toour law




Immediately provided in thatcase.




THESEUS What say you, Hermia? Be advised, fair maid.




To you your father should be asa god,




One that composed yourbeauties; yea, and one




To whom you are but as a form in wax




By him imprinted and within his power




To leave the figure or disfigure it.




Demetrius is a worthy gentleman.




HERMIA So is Lysander.




THESEUS In himself he is;




But in this kind, wanting yourfathers voice,




The other must be held theworthier.




HERMIA I would my father looked but with my eyes.




THESEUS Rather your eyes must with his judgment look.




HERMIA I do entreat your Grace to pardon me.




I know not by what power I ammade bold,




Nor how it may concern mymodesty,




In such a presence here toplead my thoughts;




But I beseech your Grace that Imay know




The worst that may befall me inthis case,




If I refuse to wed Demetrius.




THESEUS Either to die the death, or to abjure




Forever the society of men.




Therefore, fair Hermia,question your desires;




Know of your youth, examinewell your blood,




Whether, if you yield not toyour fathers choice,




You can endure the livery