SCENE,-The first Act, in VENICE; during the rest of the Play, at a Seaport in CYPRUS. ACT I. SCENE I. VENICE. A Strect. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Tush, never tell me; I take it much unkindly If ever I did dream of such a matter, [cit, Rod. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me if I do not. Three great ones of te 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 Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war; And, in conclusion, nonsuits My mediators; for, certes," says he, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, And I (God bless the mark!) his Moorship's ancient.. Rod. Bv heaven, I rather would have been his han man. The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, 'tis not long after 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, Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. Rod. What, ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what, hol Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! 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: Iago. But there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of servi g; I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors: Preferment goes by letter and affection, Not by the old gradation, where each second Stood heir to the first. Now, Sir, be judge yourself, Whether I in any just term am affined To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him then. Iago. O Sir, content you; I follow him to serve my turn upon him: Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves; Do well thrive by them, and, when they have lined 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 Lago: Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so, for my peculiar end: For when my outward action doth demonstrate 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. Rod. Patience, good Sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice; My house is not a grange. Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. Iago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service, you think we are ruffians: 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. Bra. Thou art a villain. lago. You are a senator. Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee, Roderigo. Rod. Sir, I will answer anything. But, I beseech you, If 't he your pleasure, and most wise consent, (As partly, I find, it is,) that your fair daughter, I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes, In an extravagant and wheeling stranger, Of here and everywhere. Straight satisfy yourself: 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!- Belief of it oppresses me already.-- [Exit from above Iago. Farewell; for I must leave you: (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 shew out a flag and sign of love, And there will I be with him. So, farewell. [him, [Exit. Oth. Let him do his spite: My services, which I have done the signiory, For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yonder! Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers 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? Iago. By Janus, I think no. Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant- Cas. The duke does greet you, general; Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; It is a business of some heat: the galleys This very night at one another's heels, And many of the consuls, raised and met, Are at the duke's already: you have been hotly calfd When, being not at your lodging to be found, To search you out. Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house, And go with you. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? [for, Ezit. Iago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carrack; If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand. Iago. He's married. Cas. To whom? Re-enter OTHELLO. Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go? Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with torches and weapons. Iago. It is Brabantio:-general, be advised; He comes to bad intent. Oth. Holla! stand there! Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. Bra. Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides. Iago. You, Roderigo! come, Sir, I am for you. blood! Of some such thing? Rod. Yes, Sir, I have indeed. Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Some one way, some another. - Do you know Than with your weapons. Where we may apprehend her and the Moor? [daughter! Rod. I think I can discover him, if you please To get good guard, and go along with me. Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her: For I'll refer me to all things of sense, Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call; I may command at most. Get weapons, ho! If she in chains of magic were not bound, Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy, And raise some special officers of night. So opposite to marriage, that she shunn'd On, good Roderigo ;- I'll deserve your pains. [Exeunt. The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, SCENE II. The same. Another Street. Enter OTHELLO, LAGO, and Attendants Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs. 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. Would ever have, to incur a general mock, Lay hold upon him; if he do resist, 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! Duke. There is no composition in these news That gives them credit. 1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; But though they jump not on a just account, Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment; I do not so secure me in the error, But the main article I do approve Sailor. [Within.] What ho! what ho! what ho! Enter an Officer, with a Sailor. Of. A messenger from the galleys. Sailor. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes; So was I bid report here to the state, By signior Angelo. Duke. How say you by this change? By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant, That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes, 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, Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. Enter a Messenger Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, Have there injointed them with an after fleet. 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought.-How many, as you guess? Mess. Of thirty sail: and now do they re-stem Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance Their purposes toward Cyprus. -Signior Montano, Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, And prays you to believe him. Duke "Tis certain, then, for Cyprus. Marcus Lucchesé, is not he in town? 1 Sen. He's now in Florence. [despatch. Duke. Write from us; wish him post-post-haste: 1 Sen Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor. Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Duke. Whoe'er he be that, in this foul proceeding, Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself, And you of her, the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor: whom now, it seems, Your special mandate, for the state affairs, Hath hither brought. Duke and Sen. We are very sorry for it. Duke [То ОтH.] What, in your own part, can you say Bra. Nothing, but this is so. [to this! 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 l 22 Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech, And little bless'd with the set phrase of peace: For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith, Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used Their dearest action in the tented field; And little of this great world can I speak, And therefore little shall I grace my cause, your Yet, by In speaking for myself. gracious s patience, A 4 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. Bra. A maiden never bold; Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion Duke. To vouch this is no proof, Did you by indirect and forced courses Subdue and poison this young maid's affections? Exter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and l Officers. Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman.[TO BRA.] I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior: We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. Bra. So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me; Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business, Duke. Say it, Othello. Oth. Her father loved me; oft invited ne; Still question'd me the story of my life, From year to year-the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have pass'd. I ran it through, even from my boyish days, To the very moment that he bade me tell it. Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, 1 Hath raised me from my bed: nor doth the general of moving accidents by flood and field; lie ) ? Oth. The tyrant custom, most grave senators, Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war And of the Cannibals that each other eat, Would Desdemona seriously incline: But still the house affairs would draw her thence; Which ever as she could with haste despatch, She'd come again, and with a greedy ear 2 Devour up my discourse: which I observing, Took once a pliant hour; But not intentively. I did consent; To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart, That I would all my pilgrimage dilate, Whereof by parcels she had something Keard, and found good means 701 And often did beguile her of her tears, When I did speak of some distressful stroke That my youth suffer'd. My story being done, 42 She gave me for my pains a world of sighs: She wish'd she had not heard it; yet she wish'd Des. Nor I; I would not there reside, To put my father in impatient thoughts, By being in his eye. Most gracious duke, That heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd me; To assist my simpleness. And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, 'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful: I should but teach him how to tell my story, And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake: She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd; And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used: Here comes the lady; let her witness it. Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and Attendants, And to his honours and his valiant parts th Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate. Duke. I think this tale would win my daughter too.- A moth of peace, and he go to the war, Good Brabantio, Take up this mangled matter at the best: Men do their broken weapons rather use, Bra. I pray you, hear her speak; If she confess that she was half the wooer Des. My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: To you I am bound for life and education; How to respect you; you are the lord of duty, I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband; And so much duty as my mother shew'd To you, preferring you before her father, Bra. God be with you!-I have done.- I here do give thee that with all my heart I am glad at soul I have no other child; For thy escape would teach me tyranny, To hang clogs on them. I have done, my lord.. H When remedies are past, the griefs are ended What cannot be preserved when fortune takes, The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief: Bra. So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile; We lose it not so long as we can smile. He bears the sentence well that nothing bears Duke. The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus: - Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you: and though we have the e a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a Bovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition. The rites for which I love him are bereft me wh And I a heavy interim shall support By his dear absence. Let me go with him. Oth. Your voices, lords:-'beseech you, let her will Have a free way. Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not, Nor to comply with heat (the young affects But to be free and bounteous to her mind: And heaven defend your good souls, that you think That my disports corrupt and taint my business, Make head against my estimation! Duke. Be it as you shall privately determine, Either for her stay or going the affair cries haste, And speed must answer it; you must hence to-night Des. To-night, my lord? Duke. This night. Oth. With all my heart. Duke. At nine i' the morning here we'll meet again. Othello, leave some officer behind, And he shall our commission bring to you; With such things else of quality and respect Oth. Please your grace, my ancient; With what else needful your good grace shall think Duke. Let it be so. Good night to every one. - [To BRA.] And, noble signior, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black. 1 Sen. Adieu, brave Moor! use Desdemona well Bra. Look to her, Moor! have a quick eye to see; She has deceived her father, and may thee. [Exeunt DUKE, Senators, Officers, de Oth. My life upon her faith!-Honest Iago, and then have we a prescription to die, when death is our physician. Iago. O villanous! Ir ve looked upon the world for four times seven years; an since I could distinguish between a benefit and an injury, I never found a man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a Guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon. Rod. What should I do? I confess it is my shame to be so fond; but it is not in virtue to amend it. Iago. Virtue? a fig! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus, or thus. Our bodies are our gardens; to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles, or sow lettuce; set hyssop, and weed up thyme; supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many; either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry; why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions: but we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts; whereof I take this, that you call-love, to be a sect or scion. Rod. It cannot be. Iago. It is merely a lust of the blood, and a permission of the will. Come, be a man: drown thyself? drown cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness; I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse; follow these wars; defeat thy favour with a usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor, -put money in thy purse, -nor he his to her: it was a violent commencement, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration;-put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills;-fill thy purse with money:-the food that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth: when she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice. She must have change, she must: therefore put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning Make all the money thou canst: if sanctimony and a frail vow, betwixt an erring barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian, be not too hard for my wits, and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself! it is clean out of the way: seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy, than to be drowned and go without her. Rod. Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue? lago. Thou art sure of me;-go, make money:-I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor: my cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason. on. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him: if thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thy self a pleasure and me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time, which will be delivered. Traverse; go; provide thy money. We will have more of this to-morrow. Adieu. Rod. Where shall we meet i' the morning? Iago. At my lodging. Rod. I'll be with thee betimes. Iago. Go to; farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo? Iago. No more of drowning, do you hear? Iago. Go to; farewell: put money enough in your purse. [Ezit RODERIGO. Thus do I ever make my fool my purse; That thinks men honest that but seem to be so; SCENE I.-A Seaport Town in CYPRUS. A Platform. Enter MONTANO and two Gentlemen. Mon. What om the cape can you discern at sea? 1 Gent. Nothing at all: " is a high-wrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main, Descry a sail. Mon. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land, What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, 2 Gent. A segregation of the Turkish fleet: Mon. If that the Turkish fleet Enter a third Gentleman. comfort, Touching the Turkish loss, -yet he looks sadly, And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted With foul and violent tempest. Mon. Pray heaven he be; For I have served him, and the man commands 3 Gent. Come, let's do so; For every minute is expectancy Of more arrivance. |