Bottom had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was. Man is but an ass if he go about to expound this dream. Methought I was — there is no man can tell what methought I was and methought I had — but man is but a patched fool if he will offer to say what methought I had. The eye of man hath not heard, the ear of man hath not seen, man's hand is not able to taste, his tongue to conceive, nor his heart to report what my dream was. I will get Peter Quince to write a ballad of this dream. It shall be called “Bottom's Dream,” because it hath no bottom, and I will sing it in the latter end of a play, before the Duke. Peradventure, to make it the more gracious, I shall sing it at her death. [Exit Bottom] Read more about Act 4, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: "The eye of man"
Theseus [To the lovers] Good morrow, friends. [To his attendants] Saint Valentine is past, Begin these woodbirds but to couple now? Read more about Act 4, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: "to couple now"
Theseus Go, one of you, find out the forester. For now our observation is performed, And since we have the vanguard of the day, My love shall hear the music of my hounds. Uncouple in the western valley; let them go. Dispatch, I say, and find the forester. [Exit servant] We will, fair Queen, up to the mountain's top, And mark the musical confusion Of hounds and echo in conjunction. Hippolyta I was with Hercules and Cadmus once When in a wood of Crete they bayed the bear With hounds of Sparta. Never did I hear Such gallant chiding, for besides, the groves, The skies, the fountains, every region near Seemed all one mutual cry. I never heard So musical a discord, such sweet thunder. Read more about Act 4, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: Crete and Sparta
Robin Fairy King, attend and mark. I do hear the morning lark. Oberon Then, my queen, in silence sad Trip we after the night's shade. We the globe can compass soon, Swifter than the wand’ring moon. Read more about Act 4, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: "after the night's shade"
