Page 2642 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

It is the lady that Pyramus must love. [40]

FLUT E

Nay, faith, let not me play a woman: I have a beard coming.

QUINCE

That’s all one: you shall play it in a mask; and you may speak as small as
you will.

BOT T OM

And I may hide my face, let me play Thisbe too. [45] 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. [50]

BOT T OM

Well, proceed.

QUINCE

Robin Starveling, the tailor?

ST ARVELING

Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE

Robin Starveling, you must play Thisbe’s mother. Tom Snout, the tinker?
[55]

SNOUT

Here, Peter Quince.

QUINCE

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

SNUG

Have you the lion’s part written? Pray you, if it be, [60] give it me; for I am