Star. I believe we must leave the killing out, when all is done. 16 Bot. Not a whit! I have a device to make all well. Write me a prologue; and let the prologue seem to say, we will do no harm with our swords and that Pyramus is not killed indeed; and, for the more better assurance, tell them that I Pyramus am not Pyramus, but Bottom the weaver. This will put them out of fear. 23 Quin. Well, we will have such a prologue; and it shall be written in eight and six. Bot. No, make it two more; let it be written in eight and eight. Snout. Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion? Star. I fear it, I promise you. 29 Bot. Masters, you ought to consider with your selves. To bring in-God shield us!--a lion among ladies, is a most dreadful thing; for there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living; and we ought to look to it. Snout. Therefore another prologue must tell he is not a lion. 36 Bot. Nay, you must name his name, and half his face must be seen through the lion's neck; and he himself must speak through, saying thus, or to the same defect, 'Ladies,' or 'Fair ladies, I would wish you,' or 'I would request you,' or 'I would entreat you, not to fear, not to tremble: my life for yours. If you think I come hither as a lion, it were pity of my life. No, I am no such thing; I am a man as other men are;' and there indeed let him name his name, and tell them plainly he is Snug the joiner. 47 Quin. Well, it shall be so. But there is two hard things: that is, to bring the moonlight into a chamber; for, you know, Pyramus and Thisby meet by moonlight. 51 Snout. Doth the moon shine that night we play our play? Bot. A calendar, a calendar! Look in the almanac! Find out moonshine, find out moonshine. 56 Quin. Yes, it doth shine that night. Bot. Why, then may you leave a casement of the great chamber window, where we play, open, and the moon may shine in at the casement. Quin. Ay, or else one must come in with a bush of thorns and a lantern, and say he comes to disfigure, or to present, the person of Moonshine. Then, there is another thing: we must have a wall in the great chamber; for Pyramus and Thisby, says the story, did talk through the chink of a wall. 66 Snout. You can never bring in a wall. What say you, Bottom? Bot. Some man or other must present Wall; and let him have some plaster, or some loam, or some rough-cast about him, to signify wall; or let him hold his fingers thus, and through that cranny shall Pyramus and Thisby whisper. 72 Quin. If that may be, then all is well. Come, sit down, every mother's son, and rehearse your parts. Pyramus, you begin. When you have spoken your speech, enter into that brake. And so every one according to his cue. 78 As true as truest horse that yet would never Tita. [Awaking.] What angel wakes me from tire, I'll meet thee, Pyramus, at Ninny's tomb.' Quin. 'Ninus' tomb,' man. Why, you must not speak that yet; that you answer to Pyramus. You speak all your part at once, cues and all. Your cue is past; it is, Pyramus, enter. my flowery bed? Bot. [Sings.] "The finch, the sparrow, and the lark, The plain-song cuckoo grey, Whose note full many a man doth mark, 135 For, indeed, who would set his wit to so foolish Tita. I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again. 14c Quin. Bless thee, Bottom! bless thee! thou art "The ousel cock so black of hue, Enter Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth [and] Mustardseed. Moth. Mus. All. And I. And I. And I. Where shall we go? 130 Tita. Be kind and courteous to this gentleman. Hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes; Bot. Good Master Mustardseed, I know your patience well. That same cowardly, giant-like ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house. I promise you your kindred hath made my eyes water ere now. I desire you more acquaintance, good Master Mustardseed. Tita. Come, wait upon him; lead him to my bower. The moon methinks looks with a watery eye, And when she weeps, weeps every little flower, Lamenting some enforced chastity. Tie up my love's tongue. bring him silently. [SCENE II. The palace wood.] Enter Oberon. Obe. I wonder if Titania be awak'd; 205 Exeunt. 10 Puck. My mistress with a monster is in love. spy, 15 Then, what it was that next came in her eye, Puck. This is the woman, but not this the man. Which she must dote on in extremity. Here comes my messenger. Enter Puck. Dem. O, why rebuke you him that loves you so? 45 How now, mad spirit? For thou, I fear, hast given me cause to curse. May through the centre creep and so displease Her brother's noontide with the Antipodes. 55 It cannot be but thou hast murder'd him; So should a murderer look, so dread, so grim. Dem. So should the murderer look, and so should I, Pierc'd through the heart with your stern cruelty; Yet you, the murderer, look as bright, as clear, As yonder Venus in her glimmering sphere. 61 Her. What's this to my Lysander? Where is he? Ah, good Demetrius, wilt thou give him me? Dem. I'd rather give his carcass to my hounds. Her. Out, dog! out, cur! thou driv'st me past the bounds 65 Puck. Captain of our fairy band, Shall we their fond pageant see? Exit. [They stand aside.] Enter Lysander and Helena. 105 These vows are Hermia's; will you give her Dem. Disparage not the faith thou dost not o'er? 130 146 155 This princess of pure white, this seal of bliss! Hel. O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent To set against me for your merriment. If you were civil and knew courtesy, You would not do me thus much injury. Can you not hate me, as I know you do, But you must join in souls to mock me too? 150 If you were men, as men you are in show, You would not use a gentle lady so;— To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals, and love Hermia; And now both rivals, to mock Helena. A trim exploit, a manly enterprise, To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes With your derision! None of noble sort Would so offend a virgin, and extort A poor soul's patience, all to make you sport. Lys. You are unkind, Demetrius; be not so; For you love Hermia; this you know I know. And here, with all good will, with all my heart, In Hermia's love I yield you up my part; And yours of Helena to me bequeath, Whom I do love and will do till my death. 160 165 know, 180 The ear more quick of apprehension makes.. Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense, It pays the hearing double recompense. Thou art not by mine eye, Lysander, found; Mine ear, I thank it, brought me to that sound. But why unkindly didst thou leave me so? Lys. Why should he stay, whom love doth press to go? Her. What love could press Lysander from my side? 185 Lys. Lysander's love, that would not let him bide, Fair Helena, who more engilds the night Than all yon fiery oes and eyes of light. Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know, 189 The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so? Her. You speak not as you think. It cannot be. Hel. Lo, she is one of this confederacy; Now I perceive they have conjoin'd all three To fashion this false sport, in spite of me. Injurious Hermia! most ungrateful maid! Have you conspir'd, have you with these contriv'd To bait me with this foul derision? 195 |