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Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,

In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Oft capp'd' to him;-and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:
But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance,2
Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;
And, in conclusion, nonsuits

My mediators; for, certes,' says he,
I have already chose my officer.
And what was he?

Forsooth, a great arithmetician,
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,

A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows

More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,
Wherein the toged consuls can propose
As masterly as he mere prattle, without practice,
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:
And I,-of whom his eyes had seen the proof,
At Rhodes, at Cyprus; and on other grounds
Christian and heathen,-must be be-lee'd and calm'd
By debitor, and creditor, this counter-caster:"
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,

(1) Saluted.

And I, (God bless the mark!) his Moorship's an cient.

Rod. By heaven I rather would have been his hangman.

Iago. But there's no remedy, 'tis the curse of service;

Preferment goes by letter, and affection,
Not by the old gradation, where each second
Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge youself,
Whether I in any just term am affin'd
To love the Moor.

I

Rod.

I would not follow him then.
Iago. O, sir, content you;
follow him to serve my turn upon him:
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,
That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
For nought but provender; and, when he's old,
cashier'd;

Whip me such honest knaves: Others there are,
Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves;
And, throwing but shows of service on their lords,
Do well thrive by them, and, when they have lin'd

their coats,

Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;

And such a one do I profess myself.
For, sir,

It is as sure as you are Roderigo,
Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago:
In following him, I follow but myself;
Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end:
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
(6) Rulers of the state.
(7) It was anciently the practice to reckon up

(5) Theory.

(2) Circumlocution. (3) Certainly. (4) For wife some read life, supposing it to al-sums with counters. lude to the denunciation in the Gospel, wo unto you! when all men shall speak well of you.

(8) Related.

(9) Outward show of civility.

Rod. What a full fortune does the thick lips owe,'
If he can carry't thus !
Iago.
Call up her father,
Rouse him make after him, poison his delight,
Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,
Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,
Yet throw such chances of vexation on't,
As it may lose some colour.

Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud.
lago. Do; with like timorous accent, and dire
yell,

As when, by night and negligence, the fire
Is spied in populous cities.

Rod. What, ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio,

ho!

Iago. Awake! what, ho! Brabantio! thieves!
thieves! thieves!

Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!
Thieves! thieves!

Brabantio, above, at a window.

Iago.

You are a senator.

Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee,
Roderigo.

Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But I be
seech you,

If't be your pleasure, and most wise consent
(As partly, I find, it is,) that your fair daughter,
At this odd-even" and dull watch o'the night,
Transported-with no worse nor better guard,
But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,"
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,-
If this be known to you, and your allowance,
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;
But, if you know not this, my manners tell me,
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe,
That, from the sense of all civility,

I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:
Your daughter,if you have not given her leave.-
I say again, hath made a gross revolt;
Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes,
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger,
Of here and every where: Straight satisfy yourself:

Bra. What is the reason of this terrible sum- If she be in her chamber, or your house,

mons?

What is the matter there?

Rod. Signior, is all your family within?

lago. Are your doors lock'd?
Bra.
Why? wherefore ask you this?
lago. Zounds, sir, you are robb'd; for shame,
put on your gown:

Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;
Even now, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:
Arise, I say.
Is

Bra. What, have you lost your wits?
Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know my
voice?

Bra. Not I; What are you?

Rod. My name is-Roderigo.

Bra.

The worse welcome:
I have charg'd thee, not to haunt about my doors:
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say,
My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,
Being full of supper, and distempering draughts,
Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come
To start my quiet.

Rod. Sir, sir, sir, sir,-
Bra.

But thou must needs be sure,
My spirit, and my place, have in them power
To make this bitter to thee.

Patience, good sir.

Rod.
Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is
Venice;

My house is not a grange.4

Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you.

Bra.

Strike on the tinder ho!
Give me a taper ;-call up all my people :-
This accident is not unlike my dream,
Belief of it oppressses me already :-
Light, I say! light!
[Exit from above.
lago.
Farewell; for I must leave you:
It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,
To be produc'd (as, if I stay, I shall,)
Against the Moor: For, I do know, the state,-
However this may gall him with some check,-
Cannot with safety cast him; for he's embark'd
With such loud reason to the Cyprus' wars,
(Which even now stand in act) that, for their
souls,

Another of his fathom they have not,
To lead their business: in which regard,
Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains,
Yet, for necessity of present life,

I must show out a flag and sign of love,
Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely
find him,

Lead to the Sagittary the rais'd search;
And there will I be with him. So, farewell. [Ex.
Enter below, Brabantio, and Servants, with torches.
Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is ;
And what's to come of my despised time, i
Is nought but bitterness.-Now, Roderigo,
Where didst thou see her?-O, unhappy girl!-
With the Moor, say'st thou ?-Who would be a
father?-

How didst thou know 'twas she? O, thou deceiv'st

me

Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. Iago. Zounds, sir, you are one of those, that will Past thought!-What said she to you?-Get more Because we tapers;

not serve God, if the devil bid you.

Rod. Truly, I think, they are.

come to do you service, you think we are ruffians: Raise all my kindred,-Are they married think you? You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your nephews neigh to you: you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans."

Bra. What profane wretch art thou?

Iago. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.

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Bra. O heaven!-How got she out!-O treason
of the blood!-

Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds
By what you see them act.-Are there not charms,
By which the property of youth and maidhood
May be abus'd? Have you not read, Roderigo,
Of some such thing?
Rod.

(6) Midnight.

(8) Approbation.

Yes, sir; I have indeed.

(7) A waterman.

(9) Wandering. (10) Dismiss. (11) Old age.

Bra. Call up my brother.-O, that you had had her!

Some one way, some another.-Do you know
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?
Rod. I think, I can discover him; if you please
To get good guard, and go along with me.

Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call
I may command at most ;-Get weapons, ho!
And raise some special officers of night.-
On, good Roderigo ;-I'll deserve your pains.

;

[Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Another street. Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants.

Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain

men,

Yet do I hold it very stuff o'the conscience,
To do no contriv'd murder; I lack iniquity
Sometimes, to do me service: Nine or ten times

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Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go?
Oth.
Have with you.
Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you.

I had thought to have verk'd him here under the ribs. Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers of night,

Oth. 'Tis better as it is.

Iago. Nay, but he prated, And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your honour,

That, with the little godliness I have,

I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir,
Are you fast married? for, be sure of this,-
That the magnifico' is much beloved;
And hath, in his effect, a voice potential
As double as the duke's: he will divorce you;
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
The law (with all his might, to enforce it on,)
Will give him cable.

Oth.

Let him do his spite: My services, which I have done the signiory, Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know (Which, when I know that boasting is an honour, I shall promulgate,) I fetch my life and being From men of royal siege;2 and my demerits May speak, unbonneted, to as proud a fortune As this that I have reach'd: For know, Iago, But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused' free condition Put into circumscription and confine For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yonder?

Enter Cassio, at a distance, and certain Officers

with torches.

Iago. These are the raised father, and his friends: You were best go in. Oth. Not I: I must be found; My parts, my title, and my perfect soul, Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? Jago. By Janus, I think no.

Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news?

Cas. The duke does greet you, general And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant.

Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as may divine; It is a business of some heat; the galleys Have sent a dozen sequent messengers This very night at one another's heels; And many of the consuls, rais'd, and met,

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with torches and weapons.

Iago. It is Brabantio:-general, be advis'd;

He comes to bad intent.

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Good signior, you shall more command with years, Than with your weapons.

Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?

Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her:
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid-so tender, fair, and happy;
So opposite to marriage, that she shunn'd
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,-
Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou: to fear, not to delight.
Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense,
That thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms;
Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs, or minerals,
Tis probable, and palpable to thinking.
That waken motion:-I'll have it disputed on;

I therefore apprehend and do attach thee,
For an abuser of the world, a practiser
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant :-
Lav hold upon him; if he do resist,
Subdue him at his peril.

Oth.

Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it Without a prompter.-Where will you that I go To answer this your charge? To prison': till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer.

Bra.

Oth.

What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; Whose messengers are here about my side, Upon some present business of the state, To bring me to him?

Off

'Tis true, most worthy signior,

Are at the duke's already: You have been hotly The duke's in council; and your noble self,

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Bra.

How! the duke in council!! 1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant
Moor.

In this time of the night!-Bring him away:
Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own:
For if such actions may have passage free,
Bond-slaves, and pagans,' shall our statesmen be.

Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and
Officers.

Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ

you

[To Brabantia

[Exeunt. Against the general enemy Ottoman. SCENE III.-The same. A council-chamber. I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior ; The Duke, and Senators, sitting at a table; Of We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. ficers attending. Bra. So did I yours: Good your grace, pardon

Duke. There is no composition2 in these news, That gives them credit.

1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven galleys. Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty. 2 Sen. And mine, two hundred: But though they jump not on a just account (As in these cases, where the aim3 reports, 'Tis oft with difference,) yet do they all confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment; I do not so secure me in the error, But the main article I do approve

In fearful sense.

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Why, what's the matter? Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter! Dead? Ay, to me;

Sen.

Bra.

She is abus'd, stol'n from me and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks:

Sailor. [Within.] What ho! what ho! what ho! For nature so preposterously to err,

Enter an Officer, with a Sailor.

Off. A messenger from the galleys.

Duke.

Now? the business?

Being not deficient, blind or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not-

Duke. Whoe'er he be, that, in this foul pro-
ceeding,

Sail. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes; Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, So was I bid report here to the state,

By signior Angelo.

Duke. How say you by this change?

1 Sen.

This cannot be,

By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze: When we consider
The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk;
And let ourselves again but understand,
That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
So may he with more facile question1 bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
But altogether lacks the abilities

That Rhodes is dress'd in :-if we make thought

of this,

We must not think, the Turk is so unskilful,
To leave that latest which concerns him first;
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,
To wake, and wage, a danger profitless.
Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.
Off. Here is more news.

Enter a Messenger.

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Bra. Nothing but, this is so.

Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
My very noble and approved good masters,
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter
It is most true; true, I have married her;
The very head and front of my offending
And little bless'd with the set phrase of peace;
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
For since these arms of mine had seven years' path,
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have us'd
Their dearest action in the tented field;
And little of this great world can I speak,
More than pertains to feats of broil and battle;
And therefore little shall I grace my cause,
In speaking for myself: Yet, by your gracious pa-
tience,

I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver
Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what
charms,

What conjuration, and what mighty magic
(For such proceeding I am charged withal,)
I won his daughter with.

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