No Fear Shakespeare
Julius Caesar
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 3, Scene 1, Page 3
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BRUTUS
He is addressed. Press near and second him.
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BRUTUS
They’re speaking to him. Go up there and second his
petition.
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CINNA
Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.
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CINNA
Casca, you’ll be the first to raise your hand.
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CAESAR
Are we all ready? What is now amiss
That Caesar and his senate must redress?
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CAESAR
Are we all ready? What problem should I discuss with you
first?
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METELLUS
(kneeling)
Most high, most mighty, and most puissant Caesar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart—
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METELLUS
(kneeling) Most high, most mighty,
and most powerful Caesar, Metellus Cimber kneels before you with a
humble heart—
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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.
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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.
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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?
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METELLUS
Is there no voice worthier than my own to appeal to Caesar to
repeal the order that my brother be banished?
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BRUTUS
(kneeling) I kiss thy hand, but not
in flattery, Caesar,
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
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BRUTUS
(kneeling) I kiss your hand, but
not in flattery, Caesar. I ask you to repeal Publius
Cimber’s banishment immediately.
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