52 Poems: Week 20 Shakespeare

This week my students memorized or read scenes from Shakespeare. It is the end of the year and with grades pretty much set, some students slacked, but of course others amazed me highlighted by Trixie and Sarah's rendition of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, and Darielle's performance of Puck's final soliloquy from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Summer is nigh and on our journey to Oregon I hope to catch a play in Ashland (quite possible Midsummer). As the school year winds down and another season of long days and short nights awaits, here is Puck's speech. It's a good one for restoring amends if in any way I have offended.

 

Act V, scene ii–epilogue

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.