Senators, Citizens, Guards, Attendants, &c. SCENE: Rome; the neighbourhood of Sardis; the neighbourhood of Philippi This was printed for the first time, with exceptional accuracy, in the First Folio of 1623. The piece is there divided into Acts, but although at the head of the play appear the words Actus Primus, Scana Prima, there are no scenic subdivisions. These were first supplied by Rowe in 1709, who also provided for the first time a list of the "dramatis personæ," with an indication of the "Scene." ENCE! 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? what trade art thou? Speak, FIRST COM. Why, sir, a car penter. MAR. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule? What dost thou with thy best apparel on? You, sir, what trade are you? 3 mechanical] of the class of mechanic or artisan. Cf. 2 Hen. VI, I, iii, 191: "Base dunghill villain and mechanical." SEC. COм. 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. SEC. COм. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe conscience; which is indeed, sir, a mender of badsoles. MAR. What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade? SEC. COм. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with me: yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. MAR. What mean'st thou by that? mend me, thou saucy fellow! SEC. COм. Why, sir, cobble you. FLAV. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? SEC. COм. 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? SEC. COм. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get workman] as compared with an efficient, expert 10 in respect workman. . 11 a cobbler] The word is used quibblingly in the sense of "botcher," clumsy worker, and Marullus does not perceive at once that a shoemaker is meant. 14 soles] a favourite pun on "souls." Cf. Merch. of Ven., IV, i, 123: "Not on thy sole, but on thy soul, harsh Jew." 16 be not out] do not lose your temper. 17 out] out at toes or heels, with broken shoe leather. 26 neats-leather] cow-hide or calf-skin. 11 20 29 |