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? Sec. 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? 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 Tiber banks, and weep your tears [Exeunt Citizens. They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. You know it is the feast of Lupercal. Flav. It is no matter; let no images Who else would soar above the view of men, And keep us all in servile fearfulness. [Exeunt. SCENE II. The same. 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. Stand you directly in Antonius'(3) way, When he doth run his course. -Antonius. Ant. Cæsar, my lord? Cæs. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, Ant. I shall remember: When Cæsar says, "Do this," it is perform'd. Cæs. Set on; and leave no ceremony out. Cæs. Ha! who calls? [Music. Casca. Bid every noise be still:-peace yet again! [Music ceases. Cæs. Who is it in the press that calls on me? 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 Cæsar. Cæs. He is a dreamer; let us leave him :-pass. [Sennet. Exeunt all except 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; I'll leave you. Cas. Brutus, I do observe you now of late: Be not deceiv'd: if I have veil'd my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours; Nor construe any further my neglect, 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 Bru. No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by some other things. Cas. 'Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirrors as will turn That you might see your shadow. I have heard, Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, For that which is not in me? Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear : That of yourself which you yet know not of. To every new protester; if you know That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, And after scandal them; or if you know 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. Ay, do you fear it? Then must I think you would not have it so. Bru. I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well. But wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, And I will look on both indifferently; Cas. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Cæsar; so were you: The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, And swim to yonder point?" And bade him follow: so, indeed, he did. Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder Did I the tirèd Cæsar: and this man Is now become a god; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body, He had a fever when he was in Spain, And, when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake: 'tis true, this god did shake: And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans |