(The mischievous little Puck, wandering in the forest, meets a clownish fellow named Bottom. Very slyly Puck slips an ass's head over Bottom's hairy pate; and in this strange disguise the clown walks very near the flowery bank where Titania lies sleeping. He sings in a harsh voice and awakens the Fairy Queen. The charm makes her fall in love with Bottom, since he is the first creature she sees upon waking.)
Bottom (sings).
The ousel cock so black of hue,
With orange-tawny bill,
The throstle with his note so true,
The wren with little quill,—
Titania (awakening).
What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?
Bottom (sings).
The finch, the sparrow, and the lark,