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 withal 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 today? 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! O, you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Have you not made an universal shout, And do you now put on your best attire ? Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, Assemble all the poor men of your sort; Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. [Exeunt Citizens. 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, And drive away the vulgar from the streets : So do you too, where you perceive them thick. These growing feathers pluck'd from Cæsar's wing Will make him fly an ordinary pitch; Who else would soar above the view of men, [Exeunt. SCENE II.-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. Cæs. Calphurnia, Casca. Peace, ho! Cæsar speaks. Cal. Here, my lord. [Music ceases. Cas. 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, Shake off their sterile curse. Ant. I shall remember: When Cæsar says Do this, it is perform'd. Cæs. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. Sooth. Cæsar ! Cæs. Ha! Who calls? [Music. Casca. Bid every noise be still :-peace yet again. [Music ceases. Cas. 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. 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. Sooth. Beware the ides of March. Cæs. 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 Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires; Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: Bru. Of late, with passions of some difference, Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours: Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Bru. No, Cassius: for the eye sees not itself, And it is very much lamented, Brutus, heard, I have Where many of the best respect in Rome, That you would have me seek into myself Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear: And, since you know you cannot see yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. 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. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. |