The last of Summer is Delight-1
Deterred by Retrospect.
'Tis Ecstasy's revealed Review-
Enchantment's Syndicate.
To meet it-nameless as it is-5
Without celestial Mail-
Audacious as without a Knock
To walk within the Vail.
Deterred by Retrospect.
'Tis Ecstasy's revealed Review-
Enchantment's Syndicate.
To meet it-nameless as it is-5
Without celestial Mail-
Audacious as without a Knock
To walk within the Vail.
(F.1380/J.1353)
[1] Summer: a hint on the answer. The last, Delight: the Pyramus and Thisbe at the end of the play by some craftsmen.
[2] Retrospect: a regard or reference to some fact, authority (OED 1a).
[2, 3] Deterred, Review: the craftsmen's rehearsal was deterred by Puck, who questioned their authority of Pyramus and Thisbe.
[4] Enchantment's Syndicate: Oberon, Titania, Puck and fairies.
[5] meet it: to meet this syndicate. nameless: that cannot be definitely named or described; inexpressible (OED 7). Craftsmen had no idea of what they were facing in the woods.
[6] Mail: a defensive covering, armor. Craftsmen had no celestial armor.
[7] Audacious: Nick Bottom the weaver, the only mortal who had met the fairies. Knock: a misfortune, a rebuff, a blow (OED 1b).
[8] Vail: Bottom's ass head.
PUCK: What hempen home-spuns have we swaggering here,
So near the Cradle of the Fairy Queen?
What, a Play toward? I'll be an auditor. ― A Midsummer Night's Dream