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  • Title: Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)
  • 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 (Quarto 1, 1622)

    14
    The Tragedy of Othello

    When I did speake of some distressed stroake
    That my youth suffered: my story being done;
    She gaue me for my paines a world of sighes;
    505She swore Ifaith twas strange, twas passing strange;
    Twas pittifull, twas wondrous pittifull;
    She wisht she had not heard it, yet she wisht
    That Heauen had made her such a man: she thanked me,
    And bad me, if I had a friend that loued her,
    510I should but teach him how to tell my story,
    And that would wooe her. Vpon this heate I spake:
    She lou'd me for the dangers I had past.
    And I lou'd her that she did pitty them.
    This onely is the witchcraft I haue vs'd:
    515Here comes the Lady,
    Let her witnesse it.

    Enter Desdemona, Iago, and the rest.
    Du. I thinke this tale would win my daughter to, ----
    Good Brabantio, take vp this mangled matter at the best,
    Men doe their broken weapons rather vse,
    520Then their bare hands.
    Bra. I pray you heare her speake.
    If she confesse that she was halfe the wooer,
    Destruction lite on me, if my bad blame
    Light on the man. Come hither gentle mistresse:
    525Doe you perceiue in all this noble company,
    Where most you owe obedience?
    Des. My noble father,
    I doe perceiue here a deuided duty:
    To you I am bound for life and education;
    530My life and education both doe learne me
    How to respect you, you are Lord of all my duty,
    I am hitherto your daughter, But heere's my husband:
    And so much duty as my mother shewed
    To you, preferring you before her father,
    535So much I challenge, that I may professe,
    Due to the Moore my Lord.
    Bra.