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: