SCENE, during a great part of the play, at Rome; afterwards at Sardis; and near Philippi. АСТ І. 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? 1 Cit. Why, Sir, a carpenter. Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on ? You, Sir: what trade are you? 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 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? 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. Be hung with Cæsar's trophies. I'll about, * Ornaments. |