Page:A Midsummer-Nights Dream (Rackham).djvu/97

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Peter Quince,—

What sayest thou, Bully Bottom?

There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisby that will never please. First, Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself; which the ladies cannot abide. How answer you that?

By’r lakin, a parlous fear.

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

Not a whit: I have a device to make all well. Write me a prologue; and let the prologue seem to say, we will 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 not Pyramus, but Bottom the weaver: this will put them out of fear.

Well, we will have such a prologue; and it shall be written in eight and six.