CAESAR CAESAR I must prevent thee, Cimber. I have to stop you, Cimber. These kneelings and humble courtesies might excite ordinary men, flattering them into These couchings and these lowly courtesies turning Roman law into children’s games. But don’t be so foolish as to think you can sway me from what’s right by using Might fire the blood of ordinary men the tactics that persuade fools—I mean this flattery, low bows, and puppy-like fawning. Your brother has been banished by And turn preordinance and first decree decree. If you kneel and beg and flatter for him, I’ll kick you Into the law of children. Be not fond, out of my way like I would a dog. Know that I am not unjust, and I will not grant him a pardon without reason. To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood That will be thawed from the true quality With that which melteth fools—I mean, sweet words, Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banishèd. If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied. METELLUS METELLUS Is there no voice more worthy than my own Is there no voice worthier than my own to appeal to Caesar to repeal the order that my brother be banished? To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear For the repealing of my banished brother? BRUTUS BRUTUS (kneeling) I kiss your hand, but not in flattery, Caesar. I ask you (kneeling) I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, to repeal Publius Cimber’s banishment immediately. Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal. Act 3, Scene 1, Page Original Text Modern Text CAESAR CAESAR 60 What, Brutus? What, even you, Brutus? CASSIUS CASSIUS (kneeling) Pardon, Caesar. Caesar, pardon. (kneeling) Pardon him, Caesar, pardon him. I fall to your feet to beg you to restore Publius Cimber to citizenship. As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall
CAESAR I must prevent thee, Cimber. These couchings and these lowly courtesies Might fire the blood of ordinary men And turn preordinance and first decree Into the law of children. Be not fond, To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood That will be thawed from the true quality With that which melteth fools—I mean, sweet words, Low-crookèd curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. Thy brother by decree is banishèd. If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause Will he be satisfied. CAESAR I have to stop you, Cimber. These kneelings and humble courtesies might excite ordinary men, flattering them into turning Roman law into children’s games. But don’t be so foolish as to think you can sway me from what’s right by using the tactics that persuade fools—I mean this flattery, low bows, and puppy-like fawning. Your brother has been banished by decree. If you kneel and beg and flatter for him, I’ll kick you out of my way like I would a dog. Know that I am not unjust, and I will not grant him a pardon without reason. METELLUS Is there no voice more worthy than my own To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear For the repealing of my banished brother? METELLUS Is there no voice worthier than my own to appeal to Caesar to repeal the order that my brother be banished? BRUTUS (kneeling) I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar, Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal. BRUTUS (kneeling) I kiss your hand, but not in flattery, Caesar. I ask you to repeal Publius Cimber’s banishment immediately. Act 3, Scene 1, Page Original Text Modern Text 60 CAESAR What, Brutus? CAESAR What, even you, Brutus? CASSIUS (kneeling) Pardon, Caesar. Caesar, pardon. As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall CASSIUS (kneeling) Pardon him, Caesar, pardon him. I fall to your feet to beg you to restore Publius Cimber to citizenship.