Comparison of William Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream 1.2 to William Shakespeare

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.

There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never please. First, Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself; which the ladies cannot abide. How answer you that?

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 Thisbe meet by moonlight. [continues next]

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 Thisbe (says the story) did talk through the chink of a wall.

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 Thisbe whisper.

“A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus

And his love Thisbe; very tragical mirth.”

Through which the lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe,

First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats on; then read the names of the actors; and so grow to a point.

[continues previous] 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 Thisbe meet by moonlight.

You, Nick Bottom, are set down for Pyramus.

... 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 kill’d 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.

Answer as I call you. Nick Bottom the weaver.

You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-fac’d man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus. [continues next]

[continues previous] You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-fac’d man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus.

Robin Starveling the tailor. [continues next]

Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe’s mother. Tom Snout the tinker. [continues next]

When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer. My next is, “Most fair Pyramus.” Heigh-ho! Peter Quince! Flute the bellows-mender! Snout the tinker! Starveling! God’s my life, stol’n hence, and left me asleep! I have 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 t’ expound this dream. Methought I was ... [continues next]

[continues previous] Here, Peter Quince.

[continues previous] Here, Peter Quince. [continues next]

[continues previous] When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer. My next is, “Most fair Pyramus.” Heigh-ho! Peter Quince! Flute the bellows-mender! Snout the tinker! Starveling! God’s my life, stol’n hence, and left me asleep! I have 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 t’ expound ... [continues next]

No, no, you must play Pyramus; and, Flute, you Thisbe.

[continues previous] You, Pyramus’ father; myself, Thisbe’s father; Snug the joiner, you the lion’s part. And I hope here is a play fitted.

[continues previous] When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer. My next is, “Most fair Pyramus.” Heigh-ho! Peter Quince! Flute the bellows-mender! Snout the tinker! Starveling! God’s my life, stol’n hence, and left me asleep! I have 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 t’ expound this ...

So hath thy breath, my dearest Thisbe dear.

Flute, you must take Thisbe on you.

Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe’s mother. Tom Snout the tinker.

You can play no part but Pyramus; for Pyramus is a sweet-fac’d man; a proper man as one shall see in a summer’s day; a most lovely gentleman-like man: therefore you must needs play Pyramus. [continues next]

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 Thisbe meet by moonlight.

[continues previous] Well; I will undertake it. What beard were I best to play it in?

Francis Flute the bellows-mender. [continues next]

Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe’s mother. Tom Snout the tinker. [continues next]

[continues previous] Here, Peter Quince. [continues next]

[continues previous] Here, Peter Quince. [continues next]

[continues previous] Francis Flute the bellows-mender. [continues next]

No, no, you must play Pyramus; and, Flute, you Thisbe.

Robin Starveling the tailor. [continues next]

[continues previous] You, Pyramus’ father; myself, Thisbe’s father; Snug the joiner, you the lion’s part. And I hope here is a play fitted.

When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer. My next is, “Most fair Pyramus.” Heigh-ho! Peter Quince! Flute the bellows-mender! Snout the tinker! Starveling! God’s my life, stol’n hence, and left me asleep! I have 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 t’ expound this dream. Methought I was — ...

[continues previous] Here, Peter Quince. [continues next]

[continues previous] Here, Peter Quince. [continues next]

[continues previous] Flute, you must take Thisbe on you.

[continues previous] Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe’s mother. Tom Snout the tinker.

Have you the lion’s part written? Pray you, if it be, give it me, for I am slow of study. [continues next]

... 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.

Then know that I as Snug the joiner am

And here, I hope, is none that envies it.

[continues previous] You, Pyramus’ father; myself, Thisbe’s father; Snug the joiner, you the lion’s part. And I hope here is a play fitted.

... bow, and dead! ’A shot a fine shoot. John a’ Gaunt lov’d him well, and betted much money on his head. Dead! ’A would have clapp’d i’ th’ clout at twelvescore, and carried you a forehand shaft a fourteen and fourteen and a half, that it would have done a man’s heart good to see. How a score of ewes now?

You, Nick Bottom, are set down for Pyramus.

What is Pyramus? A lover, or a tyrant?

No, no, you must play Pyramus; and, Flute, you Thisbe. [continues next]

I’ll assure you, ’a utt’red as prave words at the pridge as you shall see in a summer’s day. But it is very well; what he has spoke to me, that is well, I warrant you, when time is serve.

My Lord of Warwick, here is — praised be God for it! — a most contagious treason come to light, look you, as you shall desire in a summer’s day. Here is his Majesty.

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

This Lodovico is a proper man.

A very handsome man.

And ’twere to me I should be mad at it. [continues next]

Why, I were best to cut my left hand off, [continues next]

[continues previous] Well, proceed.

[continues previous] Why, I were best to cut my left hand off,

I will not fail you. [continues next]

I pray you know me when we meet again; [continues next]

Steal forth thy father’s house tomorrow night;

And in the wood, a league without the town

Nay; you must name his name, and half his face must be seen through the lion’s neck, and he himself muse 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 ...

But not to be a troubler of your peace,

I will end here. But are you flesh and blood?

It cannot be. Let me entreat you.

I am content.

Are you content to stay?

And out I have brought him to a little wood

A mile hence. I have sent him where a cedar,

Well, I’ll go with thee. Provide us all things necessary, and meet me tomorrow night in Eastcheap, there I’ll sup. Farewell.

For both our honor and our shame in this

Are dogg’d with two strange followers.

[continues previous] I pray you have in mind where we must meet.

[continues previous] I will not fail you.

[continues previous] I pray you know me when we meet again;