Imagerie

By vicki43

Bottom

Bottom has just returned and unbeknownst to him, returned with the head of a donkey instead of his own perched on his shoulders. He's scared everyone away, and doesn't understand why.

Bottom: Why do they run away? this is a knavery of them to
make me afeard.

Snout: O Bottom, thou art changed! what do I see on thee?

Bottom: What do you see? you see an asshead of your own, do
you?

Bottom: I see their knavery: this is to make an ass of me;
to fright me, if they could. But I will not stir
from this place, do what they can: I will walk up
and down here, and I will sing, that they shall hear
I am not afraid.
[Sings]
The ousel cock so black of hue,
With orange-tawny bill,
The throstle with his note so true,
The wren with little quill,—

Midsummer Night's Dream, 3, 1, 929-940

Alone in the woods, Bottom blusters on a bit more to show them he's not afraid, singing about birds. I thought this blackbird would go well with his song since the description of the ousel-cock fits him. :)

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