SCENE I.-ROME. A Street. Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and a rabble of Citizens. Flav. Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home: Is this a holiday? What! know you not, Being mechanical, you ought not walk Upon a labouring day without the sign Of your profession?-Speak, what trade art thou? Mar. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. Mar. But what trade art thou? answer me directly. 2 Cit. A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience; which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. Mar. What trade, thou ́ knave, thou naughty knave, what trade? 2 Cit. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. Mar. What meanest thou by that? mend me, thou saucy fellow! 2 Cit. Why, sir, cobble you. Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor women's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I re-cover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neats-leather have gone upon my handiwork. Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? 2 Cit. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make holiday to see Cæsar, and to rejoice in his triumph. Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he home? What tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels? You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! And do you now put on your best attire? Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, [Exeunt Citizens. If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Who else would soar above the view of men, [Exeunt. SCENE II.-ROME. A public Place. Enter, in procession, with music, CÆSAR; ANTONY, for the Course; CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRutus, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following: among them a Soothsayer. Caes. Calphurnia, Casca. Cæs. Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks. Cal. Here, my lord. Caes. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, Ant. [Music ceases. Čalphurnia, I shall remember: When Cæsar says, Do this, it is perform'd. Sooth. Cæsar! Cas. Ha! Who calls? Casca. Bid every noise be still.--Peace yet again. [Music. [Music ceases. Cas. Who is it in the press that calls on me? Сӕв. What man is that Bru. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. Cas. Set him before me; let me see his face. Cas. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Cæsar. Cas. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again. Cas. him.—Pass. [Sennet. Exeunt all but BRU. and CAS. Cas. Will you go see the order of the course? Bru. Not I. Cas. I pray you do. Bru. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part I'll leave you. How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake: And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans Bru. Another general shout! I do believe that these applauses are [Shout: flourish. For some new honours that are heap'd on Cæsar. Cas. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Brutus and Cæsar: what should be in that Cæsar? O! you and I have heard our fathers say, Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous; [Shout. Be any further mov'd. What you have said Than to repute himself a son of Rome Is like to lay upon us. Cas. I am Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. Re-enter CESAR and his Train.. Bru. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius,. Cæs. Antonius. Ant. Cæsar? Cæs. Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous. Ant. Fear him not, Cæsar, he's not dangerous; He is a noble Roman, and well given. Cas. Would he were fatter!-But I fear him not: Yet if my name were liable to fear, I do not know the man I should avoid So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much; He is a great observer, and he looks no plays, As thou dost, Antony; he hears no music: |