Enter Puck, unperceived, who tweaks Quince
violently by the nose and exits.
Quince. O masters, which of you—
Is suddenly twitched aside by Puck. Re-enters
with a lion’s head on his shoulders.
All. God defends us, Peter Quince.
Quince. Masters, it ill becomes you as sober citizens of Athens to treat one of yourselves thus unseemly. Am not I a simple workman like the rest of you? Is it not my very own voice that you hear but now? [Roars.
All. God for his mercy.
[Exeunt all but Quince.
Quince. These be strange manners; an’ I were a very lion, though being of a truth of a most lamblike perdition, they could not have fled from me with greater speeding. I will e’en after them to taste the reason of their knavery.
Enter Puck.
Puck. Now will I set these patches by the ears,