Enter FLAVIUS, MARULLUS, and certain Commoners. Flav. Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you home: Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou? Mar. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? You, sir, what trade are you? Sec. Com. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. II Mar. But what trade art thou? answer me directly. Sec. Com. 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? Sec. Com. 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! Sec. Com. Why, sir, cobble you. Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 20 Sec. Com. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor woman's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I recover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat's 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? Sec. Com. 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! 40 Your infants in your arms, and there have sat Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, Pray to the gods to intermit the plague 50 That needs must light on this ingratitude. Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault, 60 [Exeunt all the Commoners. See, whether their basest metal be not moved; If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Flav. It is no matter; let no images Be hung with Cæsar's trophies. I'll about, 70 So do you too, where you perceive them thick. Who else would soar above the view of men And keep us all in servile fearfulness. SCENE II. A public place. [Exeunt. Flourish. Enter CÆSAR; ANTONY, for the course; CALPURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following, among 'hem a Soothsayer. Cas. Calpurnia! Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks. Casca. Cæs. Cal. Here, my lord. Cæs. Stand you directly in Antonius' way, When he doth run his course. Antonius! Ant. Cæsar, my lord? Cas. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, Ant. Calpurnia! I shall remember: ΙΟ When Cæsar says "do this," it is perform'd. Sooth. Cæsar! Cas. Ha! who calls? [Flourish. Casca. Bid every noise be still: peace yet again! |