The Sources and Analogues of 'A Midsummer-Night's Dream'/Strange Farlies

Strange Farlies

 * Strange farlies fathers told
 * Of fiends and hags of hell;
 * And how that Circes, when she would,
 * Could skill of sorcery well;


 * And how old thin-faced wives,
 * That roasted crabs by night,
 * Did tell of monsters in their lives
 * That now prove shadows light;


 * And told what Merlin spoke
 * Of world and times to come;
 * But all that fire doth make no smoke,
 * For in mine ear doth hum


 * Another kind of bee,
 * That sounds a tune most strange,
 * A trembling noise of words to me
 * That makes my countenance change.


 * Of old Hobgobling's guise,
 * That walked like ghost in sheets,
 * With maids that would not early rise
 * For fear of bugs and sprites.


 * Some say the fairies fair
 * Did dance on Bednall Green,
 * And fine familiars of the air
 * Did talk with men unseen.


 * And oft in moonshine nights,
 * When each thing draws to rest,
 * Was seen dumb shows and ugly sights
 * That fearéd every guest


 * Which lodgéd in the house;
 * And where good cheer was great,
 * Hodgepoke would come and drink carouse
 * And munch up all the meat.


 * But where foul sluts did dwell,
 * Who used to sit up late,
 * And would not scour the pewter well,
 * There came a merry mate


 * To kitchen or to hall,
 * Or place where sprites resort;
 * Then down went dish and platters all
 * To make the greater sport.


 * A further sport fell out
 * When they to spoil did fall;
 * Rude Robin Goodfellow, the lout,
 * Would skim the milk-bowls all,


 * And search the cream-pots too,
 * For which poor milk-maid weeps.
 * God wot what such mad guests will do
 * When people soundly sleeps!




 * These are but fables feigned,
 * Because true stories old
 * In doubtful days are more disdained
 * Than any tale is told.

THOMAS CHURCHYARD

from A Handfull of Gladsome Verses (1592).

Endnotes
This extract from Churchyard was first cited by E.K. Chambers in his edition of M.N.D. in the Warwick Shakespeare.

1 farlies, marvels.

2 fearéd, frightened.