Pyramus and Thisbe.

Pyramus and Thisbe. The tragical history of these two lovers is told by Ovid in the 4th book of his Metamorphoses. They were natives of Babylon, and tenderly attached to each other, but, as their parents would not hear of their marriage, they had to content themselves with clandestine interviews by night. On one occasion they arranged to meet at the tomb of Ninus, where Thisbe, who was first at the trysting-spot, was startled to discover a lioness. She immediately ran off, but in her terror and haste dropped her garment, which the fierce animal, that had just torn an ox in pieces, covered with blood. Soon after Pyramus appeared, and, seeing his mistress's robe, came to the conclusion she had been murdered, whereupon he killed himself. Thisbe now returned, and, beholding her lover lying dead on the ground, put an end to her own life. The story was a favourite one during the middle ages. Bottou pronounces it 'a very good piece of work and a merry' in A Midsummer Night's Dream.