Hermia What love could press Lysander from my side? Lysander Lysander's love that would not let him bide, Fair Helena who more engilds the night Than all yon fiery O’s and eyes of light. Why seek'st thou me? Could not this make thee know The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so? Read more about Act 3, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: “fiery O’s and eyes”
Oberon About the wood go swifter than the wind, And Helena of Athens look thou find. All fancy-sick she is, and pale of cheer With sighs of love that costs the fresh blood dear. By some illusion see thou bring her here. I'll charm his eyes against she do appear. Robin I go, I go. Look how I go, Swifter than arrow from the Tartar's bow. Read more about Act 3, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: “Tartar’s bow”
Hermia O, once tell true, tell true, even for my sake. Durst thou have looked upon him being awake? And hast thou killed him sleeping? O brave touch! Could not a worm, an adder do so much? An adder did it, for with doubler tongue Than thine, thou serpent, never adder stung. Read more about Act 3, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: “doubler tongue”
Robin My mistress with a monster is in love. Near to her close and consecrated bower, While she was in her dull and sleeping hour, A crew of patches, rude mechanicals That work for bread upon Athenian stalls, Were met together to rehearse a play Intended for great Theseus' nuptial day. The shallowest thickskin of that barren sort Who Pyramus presented in their sport, Forsook his scene and entered in a brake, When I did him at this advantage take – An ass's nole I fixèd on his head. Anon his Thisbe must answered, And forth my mimic comes. When they him spy, As wild geese that the creeping fowler eye, Or russet-pated choughs many in sort, Rising and cawing at the gun's report, Sever themselves and madly sweep the sky, So, at his sight, away his fellows fly. And at our stamp here, o'er and o'er one falls. He “Murder” cries, and help from Athens calls. Their sense thus weak, lost with their fears thus strong, Made senseless things begin to do them wrong; For briers and thorns at their apparel snatch Some sleeves, some hats; From yielders all things catch. I led them on in this distracted fear, And left sweet Pyramus translated there; When in that moment, so it came to pass, Titania waked and straightway loved an ass. Read more about Act 3, Scene 2: Popup Note Index Item: “wild geese”
Bottom I cry your worships mercy, heartily. I beseech your worship's name. Cobweb Cobweb. Bottom I shall desire you of more acquaintance, good Master Cobweb. If I cut my finger, I shall make bold with you. — Your name, honest gentleman? Read more about Act 3, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: “cut my finger”
Titania I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again. Mine ear is much enamored of thy note; So is mine eye enthrallèd to thy shape. And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee. Bottom Methinks, mistress, you should have little reason for that. And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays; the more the pity that some honest neighbors will not make them friends. Nay, I can gleek upon occasion. Read more about Act 3, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: “keep little company”
Flute (as Thisbe) I'll meet thee, Pyramus, at Ninny's tomb. Quince “Ninus' tomb,” man! Why, you must not speak Read more about Act 3, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: Ninus’ Tomb
Quince Speak, Pyramus. Thisbe, stand forth. Bottom (as Pyramus) Thisbe, the flowers of odious savors sweet. Quince Odors, odorous! Bottom (as Pyramus) Odors savors sweet. So hath thy breath, my dearest Thisbe dear. Read more about Act 3, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: “Odors”
Robin What hempen homespuns have we swagg’ring here So near the cradle of the Fairy Queen? What, a play toward? I'll be an auditor — An actor too, perhaps, if I see cause. Read more about Act 3, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: “hempen homespuns”
