Back to the Play
Caesar, Lines 35b-48
Performance Videos
Act 3,
Scene 1
Lines 35b-48

Caesar performs a speech from Act 3, Scene 1 of myShakespeare's Julius Caesar. 

Caesar

                                    I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance 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.