Quince says that the show cannot go on without Bottom.
Flute laments Bottom’s absence — and the fact that he won’t get paid.
Snout has gathered with the other mechanicals before their scheduled performance.
Starveling has gathered with the other mechanicals before their scheduled performance.
Snug arrives with the news that two more couples are getting married.
Bottom arrives at the last second to tell his fellow mechanicals that they can go forward with the play.
The mechanicals have gathered in preparation for their performance later. They all wonder where Bottom is, and lament the fact that the play can’t go on, and that Bottom will lose out on payment from Theseus for his good performance. Bottom reappears and tells them he has experienced “wonders,” but right now, they have to hurry to prepare for the performance.
