Bottom Let me play the lion too. I will roar that I will do any man's heart good to hear me. I will roar that I will make the Duke say “Let him roar again, let him roar again.” Quince An you should do it too terribly you would fright the Duchess and the ladies that they would shriek, and that were enough to hang us all. All That would hang us, every mother's son. Bottom I grant you, friends, if you should fright the ladies out of their wits, they would have no more discretion but to hang us, but I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove. I will roar you an 'twere any nightingale. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "no more discretion"
Quince Snug the joiner, you the lion's part. And I hope here is a play fitted. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "the lion's part"
Flute What is Thisbe? A wandering knight? Quince It is the lady that Pyramus must love. Flute Nay, faith, let not me play a woman. I have a beard coming. Quince That's all one. You shall play it in a mask, and you may speak as small as you will. Bottom An I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. I'll speak in a monstrous little voice: “Thisne, Thisne!” — “Ah Pyramus, my lover dear!" – "Thy Thisbe dear and lady dear!” Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "monstrous little"
Quince Flute, you must take Thisbe on you. Flute What is Thisbe? A wandering knight? Quince It is the lady that Pyramus must love. Flute Nay, faith, let not me play a woman. I have a beard coming. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "wandering knight"
Bottom That will ask some tears in the true performing of it. If I do it, let the audience look to their eyes. I will move storms, I will condole in some measure. To the rest — yet my chief humor is for a tyrant. I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make all split. The raging rocks And shivering shocks Shall break the locks Of prison gates, And Phibbus' car Shall shine from far And make and mar The foolish Fates. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "Ercles"
Bottom First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on, then read the names of the actors, and so grow to a point. Quince Mary, our play is The Most Lamentable Comedy and Most Cruel Death of Pyramus and Thisbe. Bottom A very good piece of work, I assure you, and a merry. Now, good Peter Quince, call forth your actors by the scroll. Masters, spread yourselves. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "Mary" and "merry"
Bottom then read the names of the actors, and so grow to a point. Read more about Act 1, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: "grow to a point"
Helena How happy some o'er other some can be! Through Athens I am thought as fair as she, But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; He will not know what all but he do know. And, as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes, So I, admiring of his qualities. Things base and vile, holding no quantity, Love can transpose to form and dignity. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste; Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste. And therefore is Love said to be a child Because in choice he is so oft beguiled. As waggish boys in game themselves forswear, So the boy Love is perjured everywhere. For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne He hailed down oaths that he was only mine, And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt. I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight. Then to the wood will he tomorrow night Pursue her. And for this intelligence If I have thanks it is a dear expense. But herein mean I to enrich my pain, To have his sight thither and back again. [Exit Helena] Read more about Act 1, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: "hailed down oaths"
Helena How happy some o'er other some can be! Through Athens I am thought as fair as she, But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; He will not know what all but he do know. And, as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes, So I, admiring of his qualities. Things base and vile, holding no quantity, Love can transpose to form and dignity. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste; Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste. And therefore is Love said to be a child Because in choice he is so oft beguiled. As waggish boys in game themselves forswear, So the boy Love is perjured everywhere. For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne He hailed down oaths that he was only mine, And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt. I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight. Then to the wood will he tomorrow night Pursue her. And for this intelligence If I have thanks it is a dear expense. But herein mean I to enrich my pain, To have his sight thither and back again. [Exit Helena] Read more about Act 1, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: "waggish boys"
Helena How happy some o'er other some can be! Through Athens I am thought as fair as she, But what of that? Demetrius thinks not so; He will not know what all but he do know. And, as he errs, doting on Hermia's eyes, So I, admiring of his qualities. Things base and vile, holding no quantity, Love can transpose to form and dignity. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste; Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste. And therefore is Love said to be a child Because in choice he is so oft beguiled. As waggish boys in game themselves forswear, So the boy Love is perjured everywhere. For ere Demetrius looked on Hermia's eyne He hailed down oaths that he was only mine, And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt, So he dissolved, and showers of oaths did melt. I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight. Then to the wood will he tomorrow night Pursue her. And for this intelligence If I have thanks it is a dear expense. But herein mean I to enrich my pain, To have his sight thither and back again. [Exit Helena] Read more about Act 1, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: Cupid
