SCENE, for the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the Play, at a Sea-port in Cyprus. ACT I. of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, My mediators: fir certes,3 says he, I have alrea ly 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, More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, cient. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Whip me such honest knaves: Others there are, Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; And such a one do I profess myself. 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 Iago. Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. Iugo. Do; with like timerous accent, and dire yell, As when, by night and negligence, the fire Is spied in populous cities. Rod. What ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, no! Iago. Awake! what ho! Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags' Thieves! thieves! BRABANTIO, above, at a Window. what is the matter there! Bra. What is the reason of this terrible summo'♬ ! Rod. Signior, is all your family within? Bra. Why wherefore ask you this? Iago. Zounds, sir, you are robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; • Own, possess. 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. My house is not a grange." Bru. 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. seech you, if't be your pleasure, and most wise consent, I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: self: If she be in her chamber, or your house, 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 oppresses 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 produced (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, I must show out a flag and sign of love, find him, Enter below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is; How didst thou know 'twas she?-O, thou deceiv'st me Past thought!-What said she to you?-Get more tapers: Raise all my kindred.-Are they married, think you? Rod. Truly, I think, they are. Bra. O heaven!-how got she out?-0 treason of the blood! Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds Yes, sir; I have indeed. Bra. Call up my brother.-0), that you had had her! Some one way, some another.-Do you know Rod. I think, I can discover him: if you please SCENE II-Another Street. [Exeunt. 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, ribs. Oth. 'Tis better as it is. That with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir, Oth. I would not my unhoused free condition For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights com yonder? Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Office with Torches. Iago. These are the raised father, and his friends You were best go in. Oth. Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lieutenar. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news? Cas. The duke does greet you, genera. And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant. Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cus. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; It is a business of some heat: the galleys ■ Old age. ♦ Brabantio. Magnifico is his title as senator. Seat or throne. Demerits bas the same meaning in Shakspeare as merita Have sent a dozen sequent messengers When, being not at your lodging to be found, 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house, And go with you. [Exit. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? Iago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack;7 If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand. Hola! stand there! Oth. Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides. Iago. You, Roderigo! come sir, I am for you. Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.— 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: 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? Bra. To prison: till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer. Oth. What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; SCENE III-A Council Chamber. The DUKE and Senators, sitting at a Table; Officers attending. Duke. There is no composition in these news, That gives them credit. 1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven galleys. • Consistency. A rich vessel. 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 aim 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; Sailor. [Within.] What ho! what ho! what ho. Rhodes: 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, That Rhodes is dress'd in:-if we make thought of this,. We must not think, the Turk is so unskilful, Enter a Messenger. |