A Midsummer Night's Dream

translated109.

Exit

BOTTOM I see their knavery: this is to make an ass of me, to fright me, if they could; but I will not stir from this place, do

what they can. I will walk up and down here, and I will sing,

that they shall hear I am not afraid.

The ousel cock114 so black of hue,

Sings

With orange-tawny bill,

The throstle116 with his note so true, The wren with little quill117--

TITANIA What angel wakes me from my flow'ry bed?

Wakes

BOTTOM The finch, the sparrow and the lark,

Sings

The plain-song120 cuckoo grey, Whose note full many a man doth mark,

And dares not answer nay122 --

For, indeed, who would set his wit to so foolish a bird123? Who would give a bird the lie, though he cry 'cuckoo124' never so?

TITANIA I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again:

Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note;

So is mine eye enthralled127 to thy shape: And thy fair virtue's force perforce128 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 neighbours will not make them friends. Nay, I can

gleek134 upon occasion.

TITANIA Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful.

BOTTOM Not so, neither: but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I have enough to serve mine own turn137.

TITANIA Out of this wood do not desire to go:

Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt139 or no.

I am a spirit of no common rate140.

The summer still doth tend upon my state141, And I do love thee: therefore, go with me.