A Midsummer Night's Dream

vein34, a tyrant's vein: a lover is more condoling.

QUINCE Francis Flute, the bellows-mender.

FLUTE Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE You must take Thisbe on you.

FLUTE What is Thisbe? A wand'ring38 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 one42. You shall play it in a mask, and you

may speak as small as you will43.

BOTTOM An44 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!'

QUINCE No, no, you must play Pyramus.-- And, Flute, you

Thisbe.

BOTTOM Well, proceed.

QUINCE Robin Starveling, the tailor.

STARVELING Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe's mother.52

Tom Snout, the tinker.

SNOUT Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE You, Pyramus' father; myself, Thisbe's father; Snug

the joiner, you, the lion's part: and I hope there is a play

fitted57.

SNUG Have you the lion's part written? Pray you, if it be,

give it me, for I am slow of study.

QUINCE You may do it extempore60, for it is nothing but

roaring.

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