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  • Title: Othello (Folio 1, 1623)
  • Editor: Donald Bailey

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-466-0

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Donald Bailey
    Peer Reviewed

    Othello (Folio 1, 1623)

    Scena Secunda.
    Enter Othello, Iago, Attendants, with Torches.
    Ia. Though in the trade of Warre I haue slaine men,
    205Yet do I hold it very stuffe o'th'conscience
    To do no contriu'd Murder: I lacke Iniquitie
    Sometime to do me seruice. Nine, or ten times
    I had thought t'haue yerk'd him here vnder the Ribbes.
    Othello. 'Tis better as it is.
    210Iago. Nay but he prated,
    And spoke such scuruy, and prouoking termes
    Against your Honor, that with the little godlinesse I haue
    I did full hard forbeare him. But I pray you Sir,
    Are you fast married? Be assur'd of this,
    215That the Magnifico is much belou'd,
    And hath in his effect a voice potentiall
    As double as the Dukes: He will diuorce you.
    Or put vpon you, what restraint or greeuance,
    The
    312The 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 s another 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 Guardage to 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
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