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Othello (Folio 1, 1623)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Donald L. Bailey
Not Peer Reviewed
312
The Tragedie of Othello
The Law (with all his might, to enforce it on)
220Will giue him Cable.
Othel. Let him do his spight;
My Seruices, which I haue done the Signorie
Shall out-tongue his Complaints. 'Tis yet to know,
Which when I know, that boasting is an Honour,
225I shall promulgate. I fetch my life and being,
From Men of Royall Seige. And my demerites
May speake (vnbonnetted) to as proud a Fortune
As this that I haue reach'd. For know Iago,
But that I loue the gentle Desdemona,
230I would not my vnhoused free condition
Put into Circumscription, and Confine,
For the Seas worth. But looke, what Lights come yond?

Enter Cassio, with Torches.
Iago. Those are the raised Father, and his Friends:
235You were best go in.
Othel. Not I: I must be found.
My Parts, my Title, and my perfect Soule
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
Iago. By Ianus, I thinke no.
240Othel. The Seruants of the Dukes?
And my Lieutenant?
The goodnesse of the Night vpon you (Friends)
What is the Newes?
Cassio. The Duke do's greet you (Generall)
245And he requires your haste, Post-haste appearance,
Enen on the instant.
Othello. What is the matter, thinke you?
Cassio. Something from Cyprus, as I may diuine:
It is a businesse of some heate. The Gallies
250Haue sent a dozen sequent Messengers
This very night, at one anothers heeles:
And many of the Consuls, rais'd and met,
Are at the Dukes already. You haue bin hotly call'd for,
When being not at your Lodging to be found,
255The Senate hath sent about three seuerall Quests,
To search you out.
Othel. 'Tis well I am found by you:
I will but spend a word here in the house,
And goe with you.
260Cassio. Aunciant, what makes he heere?
Iago. Faith, he to night hath boarded a Land Carract,
If it proue lawfull prize, he's made for euer.
Cassio. I do not vnderstand.
Iago. He's married.
265Cassio. To who?
Iago. Marry to---Come Captaine, will you go?
Othel. Haue with you.
Cassio. Here come sanother Troope to seeke for you.

Enter Brabantio, Rodorigo, with Officers, and Torches.

270Iago. It is Brabantio: Generall be aduis'd,
He comes to bad intent.
Othello. Holla, stand there.
Rodo. Signior, it is the Moore.
Bra. Downe with him, Theefe.
275Iago. You, Rodorigoc?. Cme Sir, I am for you.
Othe. Keepe vp your bright Swords, for the dew will
rust them. Good Signior, you shall more command with
yeares, then with your Weapons.
Bra. Oh thou foule Theefe,
280Where hast thou stow'd my Daughter?
Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchaunted her

For Ile referre me to all things of sense,
(If she in Chaines of Magick were not bound)
Whether a Maid, so tender, Faire, and Happie,
285So opposite to Marriage, that she shun'd
The wealthy curled Deareling of our Nation,
Would euer haue (t'encurre a generall mocke)
Run from her Guardageto the sootie bosome,
Of such a thing as thou: to feare, not to delight?
290Iudge me the world, if 'tis not grosse in sense,
That thou hast practis'd on her with foule Charmes,
Abus'd her delicate Youth, with Drugs or Minerals,
That weakens Motion. Ile haue't disputed on,
'Tis probable, and palpable to thinking;
295I therefore apprehend and do attach thee,
For an abuser of the World, a practiser
Of Arts inhibited, and out of warrant;
Lay hold vpon him, if he do resist
Subdue him, at his perill.
300Othe. Hold your hands
Both you of my inclining, and the rest.
Were it my Cue to fight, I should haue knowne it
Without a Prompter. Whether will you that I goe
To answere this your charge?
305Bra. To Prison, till fit time
Of Law, and course of direct Session
Call thee to answer.
Othe. What if do obey?
How may the Duke be therewith satisfi'd,
310Whose Messengers are heere about my side,
Vpon some present businesse of the State,
To bring me to him.
Officer. 'Tis true most worthy Signior,
The Dukes in Counsell, and your Noble selfe,
315I am sure is sent for.
Bra. How? The Duke in Counsell?
In this time of the night? Bring him away;
Mine's not an idle Cause. The Duke himselfe,
Or any of my Brothers of the State,
320Cannot but feele this wrong, as 'twere their owne:
For if such Actions may haue passage free,
Bond-slaues, and Pagans shall our Statesmen be.
Exeunt


Scæna Tertia.


Enter Duke, Senators, and Officers.

325Duke. There's no composition in this Newes,
That giues them Credite.
1. Sen. Indeed, they are disproportioned;
My Letters say, a Hundred and seuen Gallies.
Duke. And mine a Hundred fortie.
3302. Sena. And mine two Hundred:
But though they iumpe not on a iust accompt,
(As in these Cases where the ayme reports,
'Tis oft with difference) yet do they all confirme
A Turkish Fleete, and bearing vp to Cyprus.
335Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to iudgement:
I do not so secure me in the Error,
But the maine Article I do approue
In fearefull sense.
Saylor within. What hoa, what hoa, what hoa.
340
Enter Saylor.
Officer. A