Athenian. I will tell you everything, right as it
fell out.33
Quin. Let us hear, sweet Bottom.
Bot. Not a word of me. All that I will tell
you is, that the duke hath dined. Get your ap-
parel together, good strings to your beards, new
ribbons to your pumps; meet presently at the
palace; every man look o'er his part; for the
short and the long is, our play is preferred. In40
any case, let Thisby have clean linen; and let
not him that plays the lion pare his nails, for
they shall hang out for the lion's claws. And,
most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, for
we are to utter sweet breath, and I do not doubt
but to hear them say, it is a sweet comedy. No46
more words: away! go; away!
ACT FIFTH
Scene One
[The Palace of Theseus]
Enter Theseus, Hippolyta, [Philostrate,] and Lords.
Hip. 'Tis strange, my Theseus, that these lovers speak of.
The. More strange than true. I never may believe
These antic fables, nor these fairy toys.
Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,
Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend5
More than cool reason ever comprehends.
The lunatic, the lover, and the poet,
40 preferred: accepted (?), offered for acceptance (by the duke) (?)
3 antic: fantastic
toys: trifling tales
5 apprehend: perceive
