Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Donald Bailey
Peer Reviewed

Othello (Quarto 1, 1622)

4
The Tragedy of Othello

Brab. Why, wherefore aske you this?
Iag. Zounds sir you are robd, for shame put on your gowne,
95Your heart is burst, you haue lost halfe your soule;
Euen now, very now, an old blacke Ram
Is tupping your white Ewe; arise, arise,
Awake the snorting Citizens with the Bell,
Or else the Diuell will make a Grandsire of you, arise I say.
Brab. What, haue you lost your wits?
Rod. Most reuerend Seignior, doe you know my voyce?
Bra. Not I, what are you?
Rod. My name is Roderigo.
105Bra. The worse welcome,
I haue charg'd thee, not to haunt about my dores,
In honest plainenesse, thou hast heard me say
My daughter is not for thee, and now in madnes,
Being full of supper, and distempering draughts,
110Vpon malicious brauery, dost thou come
To start my quiet?
Rod. Sir, sir, sir.
Bra. But thou must needes be sure
My spirit and my place haue them in power,
115To 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 graunge.
Rod. Most graue Brabantio,
120In simple and pure soule I come to you.
Iag. Zouns Sir, you are one of those, that will not serue God, if
the Deuill bid you. Because we come to doe you seruice, you thinke
we are Ruffians, youle haue your daughter couered with a Barbary
horse; youle haue your Nephewes ney to you; youle haue Coursers
125for Cousens, and Iennits for Iermans.
Bra. What prophane wretch art thou?
Iag. I am one sir, that come to tell you, your daughter, and the
Moore, are now making the Beast with two backs.
130Bra. Thou art a villaine .
Iag. You are a Senator.
Bra.