MARULLUS
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 meanest thou by that? mend me, thou saucy fellow!
Second Commoner Why, sir, cobble you. 20
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.
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar–Act I, Scene I