OTHELLO. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I Venice. A Street. Enter IAGO and RODERIGO. Rod. Tush, ne'er tell me, I take it much unkindly, That thou, Iago,-who hast had my purse, As if the strings were thine,-shouldst know of this. Iago. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me : If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Oft capp'd to him;-and, by the faith of man, Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war; My mediators; "for, certes," says he, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, That never set a squadron in the field, More than a spinster : He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I, (Heaven bless the mark!) his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By Heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. Now, sir, be judge yourself, Whether I, in any just term, am affin'd Rod. I would not follow him then. I follow him, to serve my turn upon him: For, when my outward action does demonstrate For doves to peck at: I am not what I am. Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, If he can carry it thus! Tago. Call up her father, Rouse him; make after him, poison his delight; Yet throw such changes of vexation on't, As it may lose some colour. Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. As when, by night and negligence, the fire Rod. What ho! Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what ho! Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!Thieves! thieves! Enter BRABANTIO, above, at a Window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible summons ? What is the matter there? Rod. Signior, is all your family within ? Iago. Are your doors lock'd? Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this? Iago. Sir, you are robb'd:-For shame, arise, arise! Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you :- Bra. What, have you lost your wits? Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know my voice? Bra. Not I: What are you? Rod. My name is-Roderigo. Bra. The worse welcome: I have charg'd thee, not to haunt about my doors: To start my quiet : Rod. Sir, sir, sir,— Bra. But thou must needs be sure, My spirit, and my place, have in them power Rod. Patience, good sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Ve nice; My house is not a grange. Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. Iago. Sir, you are one of those that will not serve Heaven, if the devil bid you. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, sir, that come to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. Iago. You are-a senator. Bra. This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo. Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But I beseech you, Straight satisfy yourself: If she be in her chamber, or your house, Let loose on me the justice of the state Bra. Give me a taper;-call up all my people ; Iago. Farewell; for I must leave you : [Exit. Against the Moor: For, I do know, the state,- To lead their business: in which regard, I must show out a flag and sign of love, Which is indeed but sign.-That you shall surely find him, Lead to the Sagittar the raised search; And there will I be with him. So, farewell. [Exit IAGO. Enter BRABANTIO and SERVANTS, with Torches. Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is ; And what's to come of my despised time, Is nought but bitterness.-Now, Roderigo, Where didst thou see her ?-O, unhappy girl!With the Moor, say'st thou ?-Who would be a father? How didst thou know 'twas she ?-O, thou deceiv'st me Past thought!-What said she to you?-Get more tapers; Raise all my kindred.-Are they marry'd, think you? Rod. Truly, I think, they are. Bra. O Heaven!-How got she out ?-O treason of the blood! Fathers, from hence, trust not your daughters' minds Rod. Yes, sir, I have, indeed. O, that you had had her!— [Exit a SERVANT. [Exit a SERVANT. Where we may apprehend her and the Moor? Rod. I think, I can discover him; if you please To get good guard, and go along with me. Bra. 'Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call; I may command at most :-Get weapons, ho! |