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 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, fellow! 2 Cit. Why, sir, cobble you. Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? thou saucy 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. Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and for this fault 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, Who else would soar above the view of men, [Exeunt. SCENE II.-ROME. A public Place. Enter, in procession, with music, CESAR; ANTONY, for the course; CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, and CASCA; a great crowd following: among them a Soothsayer. Cæs. Calphurnia,— Casca. Cæs. Cal. Here, my lord. Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks. [Music ceases. Calphurnia, Cas. Stand you directly in Antonius' way When he doth run his course. -Antonius. Ant. Cæsar, my lord. Cæs. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calphurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse. I shall remember: Ant. Cæs. Ha! Who calls? Casca. Bid every noise be still.-Peace yet again. [Music. [Music ceases. Cæs. Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry, Cæsar. Speak; Cæsar is turn'd to hear. Sooth. Beware the ides of March. Cæs. Bru. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. Cæs. Set him before me; let me see his face. What man is that Cas. Fellow, come from the throng; look upou Cæsar. Cas. What say'st thou to me now? speak once again. Cæs. He is a dreamer; let us leave him.-Pass. [Sennet. Exeunt all but BRU. and CAS. Cas. Will you go see the order of the course? Bru. Not Ï. Cas. I pray you do. Bru. I am not gamesome: I do lack some part Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; I'll leave you. Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: Bru. Cassius, Of late with passions of some difference, Which gives some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours; Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men. Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors as will tura That you might see your shadow. I have heard, Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me? Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear: And, since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass, Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus: That I profess myself in banqueting To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. [Flourish and shout. Bru. What means this shouting? I do fear the people Choose Cæsar for their king. Cas. Bru. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well.-- In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Cæsar; so were you: And bade him follow: so indeed he did. I, as Eneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber Did I the tired Cæsar: and this man Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body If Cæsar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Spain, |