BOTTOM. Masters, you will marvel to behold me here, but the very truth of the matter is that I did fall asleep, and being asleep I did dream, and as I did lie a-dreaming I was in a manner translated to this place, which methinks is an island, for I did espy much water anear as I was brought hither. But, masters, I do marvel much to look upon you here also. FRANCIS FLUTE. Methinks, friend Bottom, you are not the sole wight in Athens esteemed worthy translation. ROBIN STARVELING. How an’ we be not translated either? PETER QUINCE. Robin Starveling speaks well and to the centre of the matter. Know then, good bully Bottom, we are translated as yourself, but methinks you have lost more in the translating than have we; is’t not e’en so, masters all? ALL. Right, good Peter Quince. BOTTOM. I have lost nothing that should cause you envy, good friends all, and so I assure you. [_Brays loudly_] What say you then to my voice? Is my voice perished? TOM SNOUT. No, Nick Bottom. BOTTOM. I thank you, good Tom Snout, and to show you that I am the same Nick Bottom, however my visage may appear altered, for travel doth greatly age a man, as they say, you shall hear me wake the echoes once again. [_Brays a second time, more loudly._ QUINCE. Methinks your voice, good Bottom, has lost somewhat of sweetness. BOTTOM. That’s all one, good Peter Quince, for the simple truth of the matter is that you have no such delicate ear for fine harmonies as I am endow’d with. [_Strokes his ears._ QUINCE. It doth seem so on more properer consideration, and I had an ear that were the parallax of yours ’twere pity of my life. ALL. Indeed, an’ ’twere but pity of your life, Peter Quince. BOTTOM. How say you, masters, shall not we spread ourselves? [_All sit down._ MIRANDA. O Ferdinand, be these all mortal like Ourselves? More surely I did never spy So hideously strange a being such As he who hath the ass’s head. FERDINAND. Nor I. Belike he hath incurr’d some wizard’s spite And, all unwitting, wears this semblance till The wizard’s anger shall be spent. But see, His fellows play upon his ignorance And of his strange beguilement make their sport. BOTTOM. Since it is conceded by all of you that I have lost nothing by translation, doth it not follow, moreover, that I have somewhat gained by that same adventure? FLUTE. In good truth you have gained by somewhat, Nick Bottom. BOTTOM. I were an ass, indeed, an’ I had not. SNUG. And twice an ass, moreover, should he be that would go about to steal it from you. BOTTOM. Methinks that I could munch a savoury salad of thistles with much stomach to’t. QUINCE. Your thistles be a thought too biting for my stomach.