A Midsummer Night's Dream

QUINCE Here is the scroll of every man's name, which is

thought fit through all Athens to play in our interlude5 before

the duke and the duchess on his wedding day at night.

BOTTOM First, good Peter Quince, say what the play treats7

on, then read the names of the actors, and so grow on to a

point8.

QUINCE Marry10, 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 yourselves14.

QUINCE Answer as I call you. Nick Bottom, the weaver.

BOTTOM Ready. Name what part I am for, and proceed.

QUINCE You, Nick Bottom, are set down for Pyramus.

BOTTOM What is Pyramus, a lover or a tyrant?

QUINCE A lover that kills himself most gallantly for love.

BOTTOM That will ask20 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 condole22 in some measure. To the rest -- yet my

chief humour is for a tyrant: I could play Ercles rarely23, or a

part to tear a cat in, to make all split24.

The raging rocks

And shivering26 shocks

Shall break the locks

Of prison gates.

And Phibbus' car29

Shall shine from far

And make and mar31

The foolish Fates32.

This was lofty33. Now name the rest of the players. This is Ercles'