Page 2665 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

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. [115]
(Sings.)

The ousel cock, so black of hue,
With orange-tawny bill,

The throstle, with his note so true,
The wren with little quill-
(The singing awakens Titania.)

T IT ANIA

What angel wakes me from my flowery bed? [120]

BOT T OM

(sings)
The finch, the sparrow, and the lark,
The plain-song cuckoo gray,
Whose note full many a man doth mark,
And dares not answer nay-

for indeed, who would set his wit to so foolish a bird? [125]
Who would give a bird the lie, though he cry ‘cuckoo’
never so?

T IT ANIA

I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again:
Mine ear is much enamour’d of thy note;
So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape; [130]
And thy fair virtue’s force perforce doth move me
On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.

BOT T OM

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 [135] that some honest neighbours will not make them
friends. Nay, I can gleek upon occasion.

T IT ANIA

Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful.

BOT T OM

Not so neither; but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood, I have