It s Me Again Like a Sparrow With a Broken Wing

A Midsummer Night's Dream Translation Act 3, Scene i

While TITANIA sleeps onstage, Lesser, QUINCE, FLUTE, SNUG, SNOUT, and STARVELING enter.

QUINCE

Pat, pat. And hither's a marvelous convenient place for our rehearsal. This green plot shall be our stage, this hawthorn-brake our tiring-house, and we will do information technology in action as nosotros volition do it before the knuckles.

QUINCE

Right on fourth dimension. And this is a keen identify for u.s.a. to rehearse. This immigration will exist the stage, and this hawthorn bush volition be our dressing room. We'll rehearse the play exactly the same way that we'll perform it for the duke.

QUINCE

What sayest thou, cracking Lesser?

QUINCE

What is it, my fine friend Lesser?

Bottom

In that location are things in this one-act of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never please. Outset, Pyramus must depict a sword to impale himself, which the ladies cannot bide. How answer you that?

BOTTOM

There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never please the audience. First of all, Pyramus has to take out a sword and utilize it to impale himself, which the women in the audition won't be able to stand. What exercise you lot think about that?

SNOUT

By 'r lakin, a parlous fright.

SNOUT

By the Virgin Mary, that's a serious problem.

STARVELING

I believe we must leave the killing out, when all is done.

STARVELING

I remember, in the end, nosotros'll have to exit out all the killing.

Lesser

Non a whit. I have a device to make all well. Write me a prologue, and allow the prologue seem to say we volition do no harm with our swords, and that Pyramus is not killed indeed. And for the more better assurance, tell them that I, Pyramus, am non Pyramus, just Bottom the weaver. This will put them out of fear.

BOTTOM

Not at all! I've got an idea that will solve the problem. Write, equally I depict, a prologue that explains to the audience that we won't really hurt anyone with our swords, and that Pyramus isn't really killed. And to make everyone even more than comfortable, explain that that while I wait like Pyramus I'g non really him, I'g actually Bottom the weaver. That will stop the audience from being agape.

QUINCE

Well. We will have such a prologue, and it shall exist written in eight and half-dozen.

QUINCE

Proficient. We'll perform that prologue, and nosotros'll write it in traditional ballad form, with alternating lines of 8- and half dozen-syllables.

BOTTOM

No, brand it 2 more than. Let it be written in viii and eight.

Bottom

No, add ii more. Write it with alternate lines of eight and eight syllables.

SNOUT

Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?

SNOUT

Won't the women exist frightened by the king of beasts?

STARVELING

I fear it, I hope you.

STARVELING

I'thou very worried well-nigh that.

BOTTOM

Masters, you ought to consider with yourselves. To bring in—God shield us!—a lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing. For at that place is not a more than fearful wildfowl than your lion living. And we ought to await to 't.

Lesser

Sirs, you should all think nearly this: bringing in—God protect us!—a lion in front of women is really an awful thing to do. Because there'southward not a more frightening wild bird living than the lion. Nosotros should remember that.

SNOUT

Therefore some other prologue must tell he is not a lion.

SNOUT

So we'll take another prologue that explains he's non actually a panthera leo.

Lesser

Nay, you must name his proper name, and half his face must be seen through the panthera leo's cervix. And he himself must speak through, saying thus—or to the same defect—"Ladies," or "Fair ladies," "I would wish you" or "I would asking you" or "I would entreat y'all" "not to fearfulness, not to tremble, my life for yours. If you think I come here as a king of beasts, information technology were compassion of my life. No, I am no such thing. I am a man as other men are." And in that location indeed allow him name his proper noun, and tell them obviously he is Snug the joiner.

BOTTOM

No, you should announce to the audience his actual name, and brand it and so that half of his face is visible through the panthera leo costume. And he himself should say something like the following, or something else to the same defect : "Ladies," or "Beautiful ladies," "I would ask you" or "I would asking you" or "I would beg yous" "non to fearfulness, non to tremble, considering I would defend your lives by giving upwardly my ain. If you thought I came hither as a real lion, it would endanger my life. No, I am no lion. I am a man, only like other men." And at that point he should say his name, and tell them obviously that he's Snug the carpenter.

QUINCE

Well, it shall exist so. Merely in that location is ii hard things: that is, to bring the moonlight into a chamber. For, you know, Pyramus and Thisbe meet by moonlight.

QUINCE

Good, that's what we'll practise. But there are 2 more than problems we have to solve. How are nosotros going to bring moonlight into the room where we perform? Because, you know, Pyramus and Thisbe run across in the moonlight.

SNOUT

Doth the moon smooth that night nosotros play our play?

SNOUT

Volition the moon exist shining on the night we're performing our play?

BOTTOM

A calendar, a agenda! Look in the almanac. Find out moonshine, detect out moonshine!

Lesser

A calendar; we need a calendar! Look in an almanac. Look up when the moon shines, wait up when the moon shines!

QUINCE

[Takes out a volume] Yes, it doth shine that dark.

QUINCE

[He takes out and consults a book] Yep, the moon will shine that night.

Lesser

Why then, may yous leave a casement of the great chamber window where nosotros play open, and the moon may shine in at the casement.

BOTTOM

Well and then, you lot could go out a window open in the bang-up room where we'll be performing, and the moon will polish in through the window.

QUINCE

Ay. Or else 1 must come in with a bush-league of thorns and a lantern, and say he comes to disfigure, or to nowadays, the person of Moonshine. Then, there is some other thing: we must have a wall in the cracking chamber. For Pyramus and Thisbe, says the story, did talk through the chink of a wall.

QUINCE

Yep, or else someone will have to come in conveying a bundle of sticks and a lantern and say he's come to disfigure , or represent, the character of Moonshine. And then at that place'south another problem: nosotros need to have a wall in the cracking room. Because Pyramus and Thisbe talked to each other through a little hole in a wall, as the story goes.

SNOUT

You can never bring in a wall. What say you, Bottom?

SNOUT

You'll never be able to bring in a wall. What do you think, Bottom?

Bottom

Some man or other must present Wall. And allow him have some plaster, or some loam, or some roughcast most him to signify wall. And let him hold his fingers thus, and through that cranny shall Pyramus and Thisbe whisper.

Bottom

Someone has to play the part of Wall. For a costume, he can exist covered in some plaster or clay with pebbles stuck to him to show that he's a wall. Then he tin concur his fingers like this [He holds upward his hand with ii fingers split slightly apart] , and Pyramus and Thisbe can whisper to each other through that cleft.

QUINCE

If that may be then all is well. Come up, sit down, every mother's son, and rehearse your parts. Pyramus, you brainstorm. When you have spoken your speech, enter into that brake. And so anybody according to his cue.

QUINCE

If we do that, everything volition be fine. At present sit downwards everyone and rehearse your parts. Pyramus, you start. When yous've said your lines, go behind that bush as if it were a drape offstage. Anybody else, do the same according to whether y'all should be on or offstage.

ROBIN

[Aside] What hempen homespuns take we swaggering here, And so well-nigh the cradle of the fairy queen? What, a play toward? I'll be an auditor. An actor besides, perhaps, if I run into cause.

ROBIN

[To himself] Who are these land bumpkins making so much racket then close to the fairy queen's bed? What? Are they about to perform a play? I'll be the audience. And I'll act in information technology, also, if I see a reason to.

QUINCE

Speak, Pyramus. Thisbe, stand forth.

QUINCE

Speak, Pyramus. Thisbe, come up forrard.

Bottom

[Equally PYRAMUS] Thisbe, the flowers of odious savors sweet—

BOTTOM

[As PYRAMUS] Thisbe, flowers with odious smelling sweet—

Lesser

[As PYRAMUS] —odors savors sweet, So hath thy breath, my dearest Thisbe love. But hark, a vocalization! Stay thou just here awhile, And by and by I will to thee appear.

BOTTOM

[As PYRAMUS] —odors smelling sweet, are like your breath, my beloved Thisbe dearest. Simply listen, a vox! Look here for a moment, and I'll be back soon!

ROBIN

[Aside] A stranger Pyramus than east'er played here.

ROBIN

[To himself] A stranger Pyramus has never been performed anywhere.

QUINCE

Ay, marry, must yous. For you must understand he goes but to run across a noise that he heard, and is to come again.

QUINCE

Yes, you should. You lot're supposed to testify that you remember that Pyramus but went to check on a noise he heard and volition soon come back.

FLUTE

[As THISBE] Most radiant Pyramus, most lily-white of hue, Of color like the red rose on triumphant brier, Most brisky juvenal and eke most lovely Jew, As true as truest horse that even so would never tire. I'll meet thee, Pyramus, at Ninny's tomb.

FLUTE

[As THISBE] My shining Pyramus, you are every bit white every bit a lily, the color of a red rose on a splendid rosebush, a lively young man and also a lovely Jew, as trustworthy every bit a horse that never gets tired. I'll see you, Pyramus, at Ninny'south grave.

QUINCE

"Ninus' tomb," man. Why, you must not speak that withal. That you lot answer to Pyramus. You speak all your function at once, cues and all. Pyramus, enter. Your cue is past. It is "never tire."

QUINCE

That's "Ninus' grave," homo. And as well, don't say that part nevertheless, because you lot're supposed to say it to Pyramus. You just said all your lines at once, cues and all. Enter, Pyramus. You missed your cue. It'southward "never gets tired."

FLUTE

Oh. [Equally Thisbe] As truthful as truest equus caballus that yet would never tire.

FLUTE

Oh! [As THISBE] As trustworthy equally a equus caballus that never gets tired.

Bottom

[As PYRAMUS] If I were fair, Thisbe, I were only thine.

BOTTOM

[As PYRAMUS] If I were handsome, my lovely Thisbe, I would still be entirely yours.

Lesser enters, with an donkey' head instead of his own. ROBIN also enters.

QUINCE

Oh, monstrous! Oh, strange! Nosotros are haunted. Pray, masters! Fly, masters! Help!

QUINCE

Oh! A monster! How strange! We're being haunted. Pray, gentlemen! Run, gentlemen! Assistance!

QUINCE, FLUTE, SNUG, SNOUT, and STARVELING exit.

ROBIN

I'll follow you. I'll lead y'all about a circular Through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier. One-time a equus caballus I'll exist, onetime a hound, A grunter, a headless carry, erstwhile a fire. And neigh, and bark, and grunt, and roar, and burn, Like horse, hound, pig, bear, fire, at every plough.

ROBIN

I'll follow you lot. I'll lead y'all all in circles, through bogs, through bushes, through hedges, and through thorns. Sometimes I'll accept the shape of a horse, sometimes a dog or a pig or a headless conduct. Sometimes I'll be A fire! And I'll neigh like a horse, bark like a dog, grunt like a squealer, growl like a carry, and burn down similar a fire wherever you run.

BOTTOM

Why do they run away? This is a knavery of them to make me afeard.

BOTTOM

Why are they running away? This is some practical joke of theirs to try to scare me.

SNOUT

O Bottom, g art inverse! What practice I see on thee?

SNOUT

Oh, Bottom, y'all've been changed! What do you have on your head?

BOTTOM

What practise you see? You run into an ass head of your own, do yous?

BOTTOM

What practice y'all think I have on my head? You see something you lot've imagined with your own asinine head, correct?

SNOUT exits. QUINCE enters.

QUINCE

Bless thee, Bottom, bless thee. Thou art translated.

QUINCE

God anoint you, Bottom, God anoint you. You lot've been transformed.

Bottom

I see their knavery: this is to make an ass of me, to fearfulness me if they could. But I will not stir from this place, do what they tin can. I will walk up and down here and I will sing, that they shall hear I am non afraid. [Sings] The ouzel cock, so black of hue With orangish-tawny neb, The throstlewith his note so true, The wren with little quill—

Bottom

I see what joke they're trying to pull. They want to make an ass of me, to scare me if they can. Merely I won't movement from this spot, whatever they practice. I'll walk dorsum and forth and sing a song so that they'll hear me and know I'm non afraid.
[Singing]
The blackbird, so black in colour
With an orangish-and-tan neb,
The thrush with its beautiful voice,
The wren with its loftier piping voice—

TITANIA

[Waking] What affections wakes me from my flowery bed?

TITANIA

[Waking up] What angel wakes me from my bed of flowers?

Bottom

[Sings] The finch, the sparrow, and the lark, The plainsong cuckoo gray, Whose annotation full many a man doth mark And dares not answer "Nay"— For indeed, who would ready his wit to so foolish a bird? Who would give a bird the lie, though he weep "cuckoo" never so?

Bottom

[Singing]
The finch, the sparrow, and the distraction,
The gray cuckoo with his unchanging vocal
Whose voice so many men hear
But don't dare say no to information technology—
Indeed, who would endeavor to win an argument with a stupid bird?
Who would say that a bird was lying, now affair how many times the bird called out that his married woman was cheating on him?

TITANIA

I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing once more. Mine ear is much enamored of thy note. So is mine eye enthrallèd to thy shape. And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth movement me On the get-go view to say, to swear, I honey thee.

TITANIA

Noble human, I beg you, sing again. My ears cannot get enough of your voice, and my eyes are entranced past your looks. Though this is the starting time fourth dimension I have ever seen you lot, the power of your beauty compels me to swear that I beloved you.

Lesser

Methinks, mistress, you lot should have little reason for that. And nevertheless, to say the truth, reason and love keep niggling company together nowadays. The more the pity that some honest neighbors will not make them friends. Nay, I can gleek upon occasion.

BOTTOM

I don't call back yous should have a good reason to love me. And yet, to be honest, reason and love are seldom plant together these days. It's a shame that some mutual friend of theirs doesn't introduce them. Ha, I've been known to tell a joke from time to time.

TITANIA

Thou art as wise as thousand art beautiful.

TITANIA

You lot're as wise every bit y'all are beautiful.

BOTTOM

Not so, neither. But if I had wit plenty to become out of this wood, I have plenty to serve mine own turn.

BOTTOM

That's not true, either. But if I were wise enough to leave of this woods, I'd accept all the wisdom I needed.

TITANIA

Out of this forest do non want to go. Grand shalt remain here whether thou wilt or no. I am a spirit of no common rate. The summer still doth tend upon my land. And I do love thee. Therefore go with me. I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee. And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep, And sing while one thousand on pressèd flowers dost sleep. And I will purge thy mortal grossness then That chiliad shalt like an airy spirit become. Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed!

TITANIA

Please don't wish that you could leave this woods. You lot will stay here whether you want to or non. I'thou not some ordinary fairy. The summer itself serves me every bit one of my followers. And I beloved yous. Then come with me. I'll give you fairies to serve you, and they'll bring you jewels from the ocean depths, and sing to you lot as you sleep on a bed of pressed flowers. And I'll remove you from your physical body, so you will exist a spirit of the air. Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed, come here!

4 fairies enter: PEASEBLOSSOM, COBWEB, MOTH, and MUSTARDSEED.

TITANIA

Be kind and courteous to this gentleman. Hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes. Feed him with apricoks and dewberries, With purple grapes, dark-green figs, and mulberries. The dearest numberless steal from the humble-bees, And for nighttime tapers crop their waxen thighs And lite them at the peppery glowworms' optics To have my honey to bed and to arise. And pluck the wings from painted butterflies To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes. Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies.

TITANIA

Be kind and considerate to this gentleman. Follow where he walks. Run and bound joyfully where he can sentinel you lot. Feed him apricots and blackberries, forth with regal grapes, green figs, and mulberries. Steal honey from the bumblebees, and brand candles from beeswax taken from the bees' legs. And so calorie-free the candles with the fire from glowworms' eyes so that my dearest will have light when he goes to bed and wakes up. Pluck the wings from colorful butterflies, then apply them to fan moonbeams abroad from his sleeping eyes. Fairies, bow and curtsy to him.

PEASEBLOSSOM

Hail, mortal.

PEASEBLOSSOM

Hello, mortal!

BOTTOM

I cry your worships' mercy, heartily. I beseech your worship's name.

Lesser

I beg your pardon, sirs, very much. Will you tell me your names, sirs?

Lesser

I shall want you of more acquaintance, good Principal Fiber. If I cut my finger, I shall brand bold with you. Your proper noun, honest gentleman?

BOTTOM

I would similar to get to know yous improve, good Mister Cobweb. If I cut my finger, I'll use y'all as a bandage. And your proper name, expert sir?

PEASEBLOSSOM

Peaseblossom.

PEASEBLOSSOM

Peaseblossom.

Bottom

I pray yous, commend me to Mistress Squash, your female parent, and to Primary Peascod, your father. Proficient Master Peaseblossom, I shall want you of more associate too. Your name, I beseech you, sir?

BOTTOM

Delight, give my regards to Mrs. Peapod, your mother, and to Mr. Peapod, your father. Good Mr. Peaseblossom, I'd like to get to know you amend too. And now, may I ask what your proper name is, sir?

Lesser

Skillful Master Mustardseed, I know your patience well. That same cowardly, giantlike ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your business firm. I promise you your kindred hath made my optics water ere now. I desire y'all of more acquaintance, good Master Mustardseed.

Bottom

Good Mr. Mustardseed, I know how y'all have patiently suffered, and how those cowardly, gigantic sides of beef have caused so many of your family unit members to get eaten. I promise you that many of your mustard relatives have made my eyes water before now. I'd like to go to know you better, practiced Mr. Mustardseed.

TITANIA

Come, await upon him. Lead him to my bower. The moon methinks looks with a watery centre. And when she weeps, weeps every little flower, Lamenting some enforcèd chastity. Tie up my love'southward natural language. Bring him silently.

TITANIA

Serve him well, and lead him to the place I sleep. I retrieve the moon looks sad, and when she cries, every niggling flower cries, lamenting the fact that they are forced to remain chaste. Make my lover stay quiet. Bring him to me in silence.

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Source: https://www.litcharts.com/shakescleare/shakespeare-translations/a-midsummer-nights-dream/act-3-scene-1

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