ve-making.

As the play proceeds Hippolyta remarks:

_"This is the silliest stuff that I ever heard."_

And Theseus says:

_"The best in this kind are but shadows;
And the worst are no worse, if imagination amend them!"_

Pyramus appeals to the moon thus:

_"Sweet moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams,
I thank thee, moon, for shining now so bright,
I trust to taste of truest Thisby's sight!"_

Pyramus and Thisby commit suicide, for disappointment in love, in the
climax scene, and waking again Bottom wishes to know if the Duke wants any
more of the burlesque play.

Theseus replies:

"_Your play needs no excuse; for when the players are all dead,
There need none to be blamed!_

* * * * *

_The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve.
Lovers to bed; 'tis almost fairy time,
I fear we shall outsleep the coming morn,
As much as we this night have overwatched.
This palpable, gross play hath well beguiled
The heavy gait of night--sweet friends, to bed;
A fortnight hold we this solemnity
In nightly revels and new jollity!"_

The forest scene is filled with fairies, led by Puck, Oberon and Titania,
all fantastically dressed, rehearsing and singing in their mystic revels.

Puck leading, says:

_"Now the hungry lion roars,
And the wolf beholds the moon.
Whilst the heavy ploughman snores
All with weary task foredone;
And we fairies, that do run
By the triple of Hecate's team,
From the presence of the sun
Following darkness like a dream."_

Oberon orders:

_"Through this house give glimmering light,
By the dead and drowsy fire;
Every elf and fairy sprite
Hop as light as bird from brier;
And his ditty, after me,
Sing and dance it trippingly."_

Titania speaks:

_"First rehearse this song by rote;
To each word a warbling note,
Hand in hand with fairy grace
Will we sing and bless this place."_

Then all the fairies, joining hands at the command of Oberon, dance and
sing:

_"Every fairy take his gait,
And each several chamber bless;
Through this palace with sweet peace,
All shall here in safety rest
And the owner of it blest,
Trip away, make no stay;
Meet me all by break of day!"_

Then mischievous little Puck flies to the front, makes his final bow and
speech, concluding the play of "Midsummer Nigh