| At his palace, Theseus, duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, his fiancée, discuss their wedding, to be held in four days, under the new moon. |
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 | 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's revenue. | |
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| 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. | |
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| Impatient for the event and in a celebratory mood, Theseus orders Philostrate, his Master of the Revels, to stir up the Athenian youth to merriments |
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| Go, Philostrate, Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments; Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth; Turn melancholy forth to funerals; The pale companion is not for our pomp. | |
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| Yes sire | |
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| Egeus, a citizen of Athens, strides into the room. Egeus has come to see Theseus with a complaint against his daughter |
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| Happy be Theseus, our renowned duke! | |
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| Â Thanks, good Egeus: what's the news with thee? | |
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