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Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Donald L. Bailey
Peer Reviewed
Enter Othello, Iago, and attendants with Torches.
Ia. Tho in the trade of warre, I haue slaine men,
205Yet doe I hold it very stuft of Conscience.
To doe no contriu'd murther; I lacke iniquity
Sometimes to doe me seruice: nine or ten times,
I had thought to haue ierk'd him here,
Vnder the ribbes.
Oth. Tis better as it is.
210Iag. Nay, but he prated,
And spoke such scuruy, and prouoking tearmes
Against your Honor, that with the little godlinesse I haue,
I did full hard forbeare him: but I pray sir,
Are you fast married? For be sure of this,
215That the Magnifico is much beloued,
And hath in his effect, a voyce potentiall,
As double as the Dukes, he will diuorce you,
Or put vpon you what restraint, and greeuance,
That law with all his might to inforce it on,
220Weele giue him cable.
Oth. Let him doe his spite,
My seruices which I haue done the Seigniorie,
Shall out tongue his complaints, tis yet to know,
That boasting is an honour,
225I shall provulgate, I fetch my life and being,
From men of royall height, and my demerrits,
May speake vnbonnited 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,
Enter Cassio with lights, Officers,
But looke what lights come yonder.
Ia. These are the raised Father and his friends,
235You were best goe in:
Oth. Not I, I must be found,
My parts, my Title, and my perfect soule,
Shall manifest me rightly: it is they.
Ia. By Ianus I thinke no.
240Oth. The seruants ofthe Duke, and my Leiutenant,
The goodnesse of the night vpon your friends,
What is the newes.
Cas. The Duke does greete you Generall,
245And he requires your hast, post hast appearance,
Euen on the instant.
Oth. What's the matter thinke you:
Cas. Something from Cipres, as I may diuine,
It is a businesse of some heate, the Galleyes
250Haue sent a dozen frequent messengers
This very night, at one anothets heeles:
And many of the Consuls rais'd, and met,
Are at the Dukes already: you haue bin hotly cald for,
When being not at your lodging to be found,
255The Senate sent aboue three seuerall quests
To search you out.
Otht Tis well I am found by you,
Ile spend a word here in the house, and goe with you.
260Cas. Auncient, what makes he here?
Ia. Faith he to night, hath boorded a land Carrick:
If it proue lawfull prize, hee's made for euer.
Cas. I doe not vnderstand.
Ia. Hee's married,
265Cas. To who?
265.1
Enters Brabantio, Roderigo, and others with lights
and weapons.
Ia. Marry to.---- Come Captaine, will you goe?
Oth. Ha, with who?
Cas. Here comes another troupe to seeke for you.
270Ia. It is Brabantio, Generall be aduisde,
He comes to bad intent.
Oth. Holla, stand there.
Rod. Seignior, it is the Moore.
Cra. Downe with him theife.
275Ia. You Roderigo, Come sir, I am for you.
Oth. Keepe vp your bright swords, for the dew will rust em,
Good Seignior you shall more command with yeares
Then with your weapons.
Bra. O thou foule theefe, where hast thou stowed my daughter?
Dambd as thou art, thou hast inchanted her,
For ile referre me to all thing of sense,
Whether a maide so tender, faire, and happy,
285So opposite to marriage, that she shund
The wealthy curled darlings of our Nation,
Would euer haue (to incurre a general mocke)
Runne from her gardage to the sooty bosome
Of such a thing as thou? to feare, not to delight,
Such an abuser of the world, a practiser
Of Arts inhibited, and out of warrant?
Lay hold vpon him, if he doe resist,
Subdue him at his perill.
300Oth. Hold your hands:
Both you of my inclining and the rest,
Were it my Qu. to fight, I should haue knowne it,
Without a prompter, where will you that I goe,
And answer this your charge?
305Bra. To prison till fit time
Of Law, and course of direct Session,
Call thee to answer.
Oth. What if I doe obey,
How may the Duke be therewith satisfied,
310Whose Messengers are heere about my side,
Vpon some present businesse of the State,
To beare me to him.
Officer. Tis true most worthy Seignior,
The Duke's in Councell, and your noble selfe,
315I am sure is sent for.
Bra. How? the Duke in Councell?
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,
Bondslaues, and Pagans, shal our Statesmen be.
Exeunt.