William Shakespeare on Shoemaking

“What trade are you? Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, I am but, as you would say, a cobbler.”

“Thou art a cobbler, art thou? Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the awl: * * * I am indeed, sir, a surgeon to old shoes.”

“What trade art thou? answer me directly. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with a safe conscience; which is, indeed sir, a mender of bad soles.”

“Wherefore art not in thy shop to-day? Why dost thou lead these men about the streets? Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get myself into more work.”