THESEUS        Fair lovers, you are fortunately met.

Of this discourse we more will hear anon.

Egeus, I will overbear your will;

For in the temple, by and by, with us,

These couples shall eternally be knit.

And for the morning now is something worn,

Our purposed hunting shall be set aside.

Away with us to Athens. Three and three,

We’ll hold a feast in great solemnity.

Come, Hippolyta.

(Exeunt Theseus, [Hippolyta, Egeus and train.])      (4.1.176-185)

Fair lovers, you are fortunately met, says Theseus, no matter how much Egeus is spluttering in the background. All very diplomatic: everything seems to have worked out, then? And I’m very happy to endorse all of this. (More spluttering.) Of this discourse we more will hear anon. You can fill in the gaps once you’ve got your stories straight, tidied yourselves up, , found some clothes, had a nap and some breakfast. (And a LOT of water.) Egeus—stop spluttering, man—I will overbear your will. That’s it, I have the power, I am the DUKE. For in the temple, by and by, with us, these couples shall eternally be knit. It’s going to be a TRIPLE WEDDING TODAY and that’s the end of the matter. DONE. Staring incredulity from the lovers, satisfaction from Hippolyta? and sulky silence from Egeus. And for the morning now is something worn—time’s got away on us a bit, sun’s properly up—our purposed hunting shall be set aside. (Thus the much-praised dogs are destined never to make an appearance. Justice for the hounds. Ringbearers? Or could there be a role for one of them at least in the wedding entertainments??) We’re getting MARRIED! Better go and get ready. Away with us to Athens. Three and three, we’ll hold a feast in great solemnity. Come, Hippolyta.

And so another of the plot strands is concluded, more or less.