Most radiant Pyramus, most lily-white of hue,
Of colour like the red rose on triumphant brier,
Most brisky juvenal and eke most lovely Jew,
As true as truest horse, that yet would never tire.
I’ll meet thee, Pyramus, at Ninny’s tomb.
– William Shakespeare
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 3, Scene 1. Bellows-mender Francis Flute, playing Thisbe, provides some humor and laughs, when he delivers these memorably terrible lines about Pyramus. He uses a simile to compare Pyramus’ color to a red rose, and at the same time says it is lily-white. He calls the meeting place "Ninny’s tomb" (meaning idiot’s tomb) instead of Ninus’ tomb. He refers to Pyramus as a "most lovely Jew" instead of jewel. An irritated Quince immediately corrects Flute: "’Ninus’ tomb,’ man." The story of Pyramus and Thiste takes place in ancient city of Babylon (modern day Iraq). Babylon, according to legend, was founded by King Ninus some 4,000 ago.