Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
Being mechanical, you ought not walk `
` Upon a laboring day without the sign `
` Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou? `
` FIRST COMMONER. Why, sir, a carpenter. `
` MARULLUS. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? `
` What dost thou with thy best apparel on? `
` You, sir, what trade are you? `
` SECOND COMMONER. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am `
` but, as you would say, a cobbler. `
` MARULLUS. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. `
` SECOND COMMONER. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a `
` safe `
` conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. `
` MARULLUS. What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what `
` trade? `
` SECOND COMMONER. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me; `
` yet, `
` if you be out, sir, I can mend you. `
` MARULLUS. What mean'st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy `
` fellow! `
` SECOND COMMONER. Why, sir, cobble you. `
` FLAVIUS. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? `
` SECOND COMMONER. 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. `
` FLAVIUS. But wherefore art not in thy shop today? `
` Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? `
` SECOND COMMONER. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes to get `
` myself `
` into more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see `
` Caesar `
` and to rejoice in his triumph. `
` MARULLUS. 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, `
` Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft `
` Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, `
` To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops, `
` Your infants in your arms, and there have sat `
` The livelong day with patient expectation `
` To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. `
` And when you saw his chariot but appear, `
` Have you not made an universal shout `
` That Tiber trembled underneath her banks `
` To hear the replication of your sounds `
` Made in her concave shores? `
` And do you now put on your best attire? `
` And do you now cull out a holiday? `
` 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. `
` FLAVIUS. 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 `
` Into the channel, till the lowest stream `
` Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. `
` Exeunt all Commoners. `
` See whether their basest metal be not moved; `
` They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. `
` Go you down that way towards the Capitol; `
` This way will I. Disrobe the images `
` If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. `
` MARULLUS. May we do so? `
` You know it is the feast of Lupercal. `
` FLAVIUS. It is no matter; let no images `
` Be hung with Caesar'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 Caesar's wing `
` Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, `
` Who else would soar above the view of men `
` And keep us all in servile fearfulness. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` A public place. `
` `
` Flourish. Enter Caesar; Antony, for the course; Calpurnia, `
` Portia, `
` Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Casca; a great crowd `
` follows, `
` among them a Soothsayer. `
` `
` CAESAR. Calpurnia! `
` CASCA. Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. `
` Music ceases. `
` CAESAR. Calpurnia! `
` CALPURNIA. Here, my lord. `
` CAESAR. Stand you directly in Antonio's way, `
` When he doth run his course. Antonio! `
` ANTONY. Caesar, my lord? `
` CAESAR. Forget not in your speed, Antonio, `
` To touch Calpurnia, for our elders say `
` The barren, touched in this holy chase, `
` Shake off their sterile curse. `
` ANTONY. I shall remember. `
` When Caesar says "Do this," it is perform'd. `
` CAESAR. Set on, and leave no ceremony out. Flourish. `
` SOOTHSAYER. Caesar! `
` CAESAR. Ha! Who calls? `
` CASCA. Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again! `
` CAESAR. Who is it in the press that calls on me? `
` I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, `
` Cry "Caesar." Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear. `
` SOOTHSAYER. Beware the ides of March. `
` CAESAR. What man is that? `
` BRUTUS. A soothsayer you beware the ides of March. `
` CAESAR. Set him before me let me see his face. `
` CASSIUS. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. `
` CAESAR. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again. `
` SOOTHSAYER. Beware the ides of March. `
` CAESAR. He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass. `
` Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. `
` CASSIUS. Will you go see the order of the course? `
` BRUTUS. Not I. `
` CASSIUS. I pray you, do. `
` BRUTUS. 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. `
` CASSIUS. Brutus, I do observe you now of late; `
` I have not from your eyes that gentleness `
` And show of love as I was wont to have; `
` You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand `
` Over your friend that loves you. `
` BRUTUS. Cassius, `
` Be not deceived; if I have veil'd my look, `
` I turn the trouble of my countenance `
` Merely upon myself. Vexed I am `
` Of late with passions of some difference, `
` Conceptions only proper to myself, `
` Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; `
` But let not therefore my good friends be grieved- `
` Among which number, Cassius, be you one- `
` Nor construe any further my neglect `
` Than that poor Brutus with himself at war `
` Forgets the shows of love to other men. `
` CASSIUS. 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? `
` BRUTUS. No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself `
` But by reflection, by some other things. `
` CASSIUS. 'Tis just, `
` And it is very much lamented, Brutus, `
` That you have no such mirrors as will turn `
` Your hidden worthiness into your eye `
` That you might see your shadow. I have heard `
` Where many of the best respect in Rome, `
` Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus `
` And groaning underneath this age's yoke, `
` Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. `
` BRUTUS. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, `
` That you would have me seek into myself `
` For that which is not in me? `
` CASSIUS. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared 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; `
` Were I a common laugher, or did use `
` To stale with ordinary oaths my love `
` 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. `
` BRUTUS. What means this shouting? I do fear the people `
` Choose Caesar for their king. `
` CASSIUS. Ay, do you fear it? `
` Then must I think you would not have it so. `
` BRUTUS. 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, `
` Set honor in one eye and death i' the other `
` And I will look on both indifferently. `
` For let the gods so speed me as I love `
` The name of honor more than I fear death. `
` CASSIUS. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, `
` As well as I do know your outward favor. `
` Well, honor is the subject of my story. `
` I cannot tell what you and other men `
` Think of this life, but, for my single self, `
` I had as lief not be as live to be `
` In awe of such a thing as I myself. `
` I was born free as Caesar, so were you; `
`
` Upon a laboring day without the sign `
` Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou? `
` FIRST COMMONER. Why, sir, a carpenter. `
` MARULLUS. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? `
` What dost thou with thy best apparel on? `
` You, sir, what trade are you? `
` SECOND COMMONER. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am `
` but, as you would say, a cobbler. `
` MARULLUS. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. `
` SECOND COMMONER. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a `
` safe `
` conscience, which is indeed, sir, a mender of bad soles. `
` MARULLUS. What trade, thou knave? Thou naughty knave, what `
` trade? `
` SECOND COMMONER. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me; `
` yet, `
` if you be out, sir, I can mend you. `
` MARULLUS. What mean'st thou by that? Mend me, thou saucy `
` fellow! `
` SECOND COMMONER. Why, sir, cobble you. `
` FLAVIUS. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? `
` SECOND COMMONER. 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. `
` FLAVIUS. But wherefore art not in thy shop today? `
` Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? `
` SECOND COMMONER. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes to get `
` myself `
` into more work. But indeed, sir, we make holiday to see `
` Caesar `
` and to rejoice in his triumph. `
` MARULLUS. 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, `
` Knew you not Pompey? Many a time and oft `
` Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements, `
` To towers and windows, yea, to chimney tops, `
` Your infants in your arms, and there have sat `
` The livelong day with patient expectation `
` To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. `
` And when you saw his chariot but appear, `
` Have you not made an universal shout `
` That Tiber trembled underneath her banks `
` To hear the replication of your sounds `
` Made in her concave shores? `
` And do you now put on your best attire? `
` And do you now cull out a holiday? `
` 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. `
` FLAVIUS. 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 `
` Into the channel, till the lowest stream `
` Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. `
` Exeunt all Commoners. `
` See whether their basest metal be not moved; `
` They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. `
` Go you down that way towards the Capitol; `
` This way will I. Disrobe the images `
` If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies. `
` MARULLUS. May we do so? `
` You know it is the feast of Lupercal. `
` FLAVIUS. It is no matter; let no images `
` Be hung with Caesar'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 Caesar's wing `
` Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, `
` Who else would soar above the view of men `
` And keep us all in servile fearfulness. Exeunt. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` SCENE II. `
` A public place. `
` `
` Flourish. Enter Caesar; Antony, for the course; Calpurnia, `
` Portia, `
` Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Casca; a great crowd `
` follows, `
` among them a Soothsayer. `
` `
` CAESAR. Calpurnia! `
` CASCA. Peace, ho! Caesar speaks. `
` Music ceases. `
` CAESAR. Calpurnia! `
` CALPURNIA. Here, my lord. `
` CAESAR. Stand you directly in Antonio's way, `
` When he doth run his course. Antonio! `
` ANTONY. Caesar, my lord? `
` CAESAR. Forget not in your speed, Antonio, `
` To touch Calpurnia, for our elders say `
` The barren, touched in this holy chase, `
` Shake off their sterile curse. `
` ANTONY. I shall remember. `
` When Caesar says "Do this," it is perform'd. `
` CAESAR. Set on, and leave no ceremony out. Flourish. `
` SOOTHSAYER. Caesar! `
` CAESAR. Ha! Who calls? `
` CASCA. Bid every noise be still. Peace yet again! `
` CAESAR. Who is it in the press that calls on me? `
` I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, `
` Cry "Caesar." Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear. `
` SOOTHSAYER. Beware the ides of March. `
` CAESAR. What man is that? `
` BRUTUS. A soothsayer you beware the ides of March. `
` CAESAR. Set him before me let me see his face. `
` CASSIUS. Fellow, come from the throng; look upon Caesar. `
` CAESAR. What say'st thou to me now? Speak once again. `
` SOOTHSAYER. Beware the ides of March. `
` CAESAR. He is a dreamer; let us leave him. Pass. `
` Sennet. Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius. `
` CASSIUS. Will you go see the order of the course? `
` BRUTUS. Not I. `
` CASSIUS. I pray you, do. `
` BRUTUS. 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. `
` CASSIUS. Brutus, I do observe you now of late; `
` I have not from your eyes that gentleness `
` And show of love as I was wont to have; `
` You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand `
` Over your friend that loves you. `
` BRUTUS. Cassius, `
` Be not deceived; if I have veil'd my look, `
` I turn the trouble of my countenance `
` Merely upon myself. Vexed I am `
` Of late with passions of some difference, `
` Conceptions only proper to myself, `
` Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors; `
` But let not therefore my good friends be grieved- `
` Among which number, Cassius, be you one- `
` Nor construe any further my neglect `
` Than that poor Brutus with himself at war `
` Forgets the shows of love to other men. `
` CASSIUS. 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? `
` BRUTUS. No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself `
` But by reflection, by some other things. `
` CASSIUS. 'Tis just, `
` And it is very much lamented, Brutus, `
` That you have no such mirrors as will turn `
` Your hidden worthiness into your eye `
` That you might see your shadow. I have heard `
` Where many of the best respect in Rome, `
` Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus `
` And groaning underneath this age's yoke, `
` Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. `
` BRUTUS. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, `
` That you would have me seek into myself `
` For that which is not in me? `
` CASSIUS. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared 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; `
` Were I a common laugher, or did use `
` To stale with ordinary oaths my love `
` 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. `
` BRUTUS. What means this shouting? I do fear the people `
` Choose Caesar for their king. `
` CASSIUS. Ay, do you fear it? `
` Then must I think you would not have it so. `
` BRUTUS. 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, `
` Set honor in one eye and death i' the other `
` And I will look on both indifferently. `
` For let the gods so speed me as I love `
` The name of honor more than I fear death. `
` CASSIUS. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, `
` As well as I do know your outward favor. `
` Well, honor is the subject of my story. `
` I cannot tell what you and other men `
` Think of this life, but, for my single self, `
` I had as lief not be as live to be `
` In awe of such a thing as I myself. `
` I was born free as Caesar, so were you; `
`