Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand.[3178][3186]30
Cæs. Are we all ready? What is now amiss[3187]
That Cæsar and his senate must redress?
Met. Most high, most mighty and most puissant Cæsar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart:— [Kneeling.
Cæs. I must prevent thee, Cimber.[3188] 35
These couchings and these lowly courtesies[3189]
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,[3190]
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree[3191]
Into the law of children. Be not fond,[3192]
To think that Cæsar bears such rebel blood 40
That will be thaw'd from the true quality
With that which melteth fools, I mean, sweet words,
Low-crooked court'sies and base spaniel-fawning.[3193]
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, 45
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Cæsar doth not wrong, nor without cause[3194]
Will he be satisfied.
Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own,
To sound more sweetly in great Cæsar's ear 50
For the repealing of my banish'd brother?
Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar,
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
Cæs. What, Brutus!
Cas. Pardon, Cæsar; Cæsar, pardon: 55
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,[3195]
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
Cæs. I could be well moved, if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me:
But I am constant as the northern star, 60
Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality[3196][3197]
There is no fellow in the firmament.[3196]
The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks;[3196]
They are all fire and every one doth shine;[3196]
But there's but one in all doth hold his place:[3196] 65
So in the world; 'tis furnish'd well with men,[3196]
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive;[3196]
Yet in the number I do know but one[3196]
That unassailable holds on his rank,[3196][3198]
Unshaked of motion: and that I am he,[3196][3199] 70
Let me a little show it, even in this;
That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd,
And constant do remain to keep him so.
Cin. O Cæsar,—[3200]