A Soothsayer. Cinna, a Poet. Another Poet. Lucilius, Titinius, Messala, young Cato, and Volumanius; friends to Brutus and Cassius. Varro, Clitus, Claudius, Strato, Lucius, Dardanius; servants to Brutus. Pindarus, servant to Cassius. Calphurnia, wife to Cæsar. Portia, wife to Brutus. Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants, &c. SCENE, during a great part of the play, at Rome: afterwards at Sardis; and near Philippi. JULIUS CÆSAR. ACT I. SCENE 1.-Rome. A Street. Enter Flavius, Ma rullus, and a Rabble of Citizens. Flavius. HENCE; home, you idle creatures, get you home; Is this a holiday? What! know you not, 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 soals. 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 handy-work. 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? And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now strew flowers in his way, That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone; Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, Pray to the gods to intermit the plague That needs must light on this ingratitude." Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault, Assemble all the poor men of your sort; Draw them to Tyber banks, and weep your tears Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. [Exc. Citizens. You know, it is the feast of Lupercal. Who else would soar above the view of men, [Exeunt. SCENE 11-The same. 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. Stand you directly in Antonius' way; When he doth run his course. Antonius. Ant. Cæsar, my lord. Cas. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calphurnia: for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Aut. I shall remember: When Cesar says, Do this, it is perform'd. Cæs. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. [Music. Such. Cæsar. Cas. Ha! who calls? Gasca. Bid every noise be still:-Peace yet again. [Music ceaser. Caes. Who is it in the press, that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry, Caesar:-Speak; Cæsar is turn'd to hear. Sooth. Beware the ides of March. What man is that! Bru. A soothsayer, bids you beware the ides of March. Cæs. Set him before me, let me see his face. Cas. Fellow, come from the throng. Look upon Caesar. Ces. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again. Sooth. Beware the ides of March. Caes. He is a dreamer; let us leave him ;-pass. [Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. 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 Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: Bru Cassius, Be not deeciv'd: If I have veil'd my look, |