Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad For never was a story of more woe,
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. [Exeunt.
Othello, A noble Moor; General in the Vene- Emilia, Wife to lago.
Cassio, his Lieutenant.
Iago, his Ancient.
[tian Service. Bianca, Mistress to Cassio.
Roderigo, a Venetian Gentleman. SCENE.
Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, Sailors, Attendants, &c.
The first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the Play, at a Sea-Port in Cyprus.
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I, (God bless the mark!) his Moorship's ancient. [his hangman.
Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been lago. Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of the service,
Preferment goes by letter and affection, Not by the old gradation, where each second Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself,
Whether I in any just term am affin'd To love the Moor.
Rod. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him I would not follow him then. in thy hate. [ones of the city, lago. O, sir, content you; lago. Despise me, if I do not. The great follow him to serve my turn upon him: In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Off-capp'd to him :--and, by the faith of man, Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark I know my price, I am worth no worse a place Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, But he, as loving his own pride and purposes, That, doting on his own obsequious bondage, Evades them, with a bombast circumstance Wears out his time, much like his master's ass, Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war ; For nought but provender; and when he's old, And, in conclusion, cashier'd: [are, Nonsuits my mediators; for, Certes," says Whip me such honest knaves. Other there And what Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty, [was he? Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves; And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, [lined their coats, Do well thrive by them, and, when they have Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul:
"I have already chose my officer." Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows [theorick, More than a spinster; unless the bookish Wherein the togèd consuls can propose And such a one I do profess myself. For, sir, As masterly as he mere prattle, without It is as sure as you are Roderigo, [election: Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago : In following him, I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so, for my peculiar end : For when my outward action doth demonstrate The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the And I,-of whom his eyes had seen the proof, At Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds, Christian and heathen,-must be be-lee'd and calm'd
By debitor-and-creditor, this counter-caster ;
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at: I am not what I am. Rod. What a full fortune does the thick lips If he can carry't thus ! [owe, Iago. Call up her father; Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen ;.
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell, Plague him with flies: though that his joy be Yet throw such changes of vexation on't, joy, As it may lose some colour.
Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. [dire yell, Iago. Do; with like timorous accent and As when, by night and negligence, the fire Is spied in populous cities. [bantio, ho! Rod. What, ho, Brabantio! signior Bra- Iago. Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves thieves !
Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. lago. You are a senator. Bra. This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo. [beseech you,
Rod. Sir, I will answer anything. But, I If't be your pleasure, and most wise consent, (As partly, I find, it is,) that your fair daughter, At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night, Transported, with no worse nor better guard, But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, To the gross clasps of a lascivious Mocr,- If this be known to you, and your allowance, We then have done you bold and saucy
But, if you know not this, my manners tell me, We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe, That, from the sense of all civility, [bags! I thus would play and trifle with your rever[leave,
Look to your house, your daughter, and your Thieves thieves !
Enter Brabantio, above, at a window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible Your daughter,-if you have not given her What is the matter there? [summons? I say again, hath made a gross revolt: Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes, In an extravagant and wheeling stranger,
Rod. Signior, is all your family within? lago. Are your doors lock'd? Bra.
Why, wherefore ask you this? Of here and everywhere. Straight satisfy
lago. 'Zounds, sir, you are robb'd; for
shame, put on your gown;
[soul: If she be in her chamber, or your house, Let loose on me the justice of the state For thus deluding you.
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you: Arise, I say. Bra.
What, have you lost your wits? Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know Bra. Not I: what are you? [my voice? Rod. My name is Roderigo. Bra. The worser welcome: I have charg'd thee not to haunt about my doors:
Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! Give me a taper !-call up all my people!— This accident is not unlike my dream: Belief of it oppresses me already. Light, I say! light! lago.
[Exit above. Farewell! for I must leave you : It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place, To be produc'd (as, if I stay, I shall) Against the Moor: for, I do know, the state,— However this may gall him with some check, Cannot with safety cast him; for he's embark'd With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars, (Which even now stand in act,) that, for their souls,
Another of his fathom they have none, To lead their business in which regard, Though I do hate him as I do hell pains, Yet, for necessity of present life,
I must show out a flag and sign of love, Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say, My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, [draughts, Being full of supper and distempering Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come To start my quiet. Rod. Sir, sir, sir,Bra. But thou must needs be sure, My spirit and my place have in them power To make this bitter to thee. Rod. Patience, good sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this My house is not a grange. [is Venice; Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. lago. 'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Be- Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is ; cause we come to do you service, and you And what's to come of my despised time, think we are ruffians, you'll have your daughter Is nought but bitterness.-Now, Roderigo, covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have Where didst thou see her?-O, unhappy girl! your nephews neigh to you: you'll have With the Moor, say'st thou ?-Who would be coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans. I a father!
Lead to the Sagittary the raised search; And there will I be with him. So, farewell. [Exit. Enter below, Brabantio, and Servants with torches.
How didst thou know 'twas she?-O, she de- For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights ceives me
Past thought!-What said she to you?- Get more tapers;
Raise all my kindred.-Are they married, think Rod. Truly, I think they are.
[you? Bra. O heaven!-How got she out?-O, treason of the blood !
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds [charms, By what you see them act.-Are there not By which the property of youth and maidhood
May be abus'd? Have you not read, Roderigo, Of some such thing?
Rod. Yes, sir, I have indeed. Bra. Call up my brother.-O, that you had had her!-
Some one way, some another.-Do you know 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! And raise some special officers of night.- Go, good Roderigo ;-I'll deserve your pains. [Exeunt.
SCENE II.-Venice. Another Street. Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants, with
Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do no contriv'd murder: I lack iniquity Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times I had thought to have yerk'd him here under Oth. 'Tis better as it is. [the ribs. Iago. Nay, but he prated, And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your honour,
That, with the little godliness I have,
I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir, Are you fast married? for, be sure of this, That the magnifico is much belov'd; And hath, in his effect, a voice potential As double as the duke's: he will divorce you; Or put upon you what restraint and grievance The law (with all his might to enforce it on) Will give him cable.
Oth. Let him do his spite : My services, which I have done the signiory, Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,- [our, Which, when I know that boasting is an hon- I shall promulgate,-I fetch my life and being From men of royal siege; and my demerits May speak, unbonneted, to as proud a fortune As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago, But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition Put into circumscription and confine
Enter Cassio, and certain Officers, with torches.
lago. Those are the raised father, and his You were best go in. [friends: Oth. Not I; I must be found: My parts, my title, and my perfect soul, Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they? Iago. By Janus, I think no.
Oth. The servants of the duke and my lieutenant.
The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news?
Cas. The duke does greet you, general; And he requires your haste-post-haste appear- Even on the instant. [ance, Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine:
It is a business of some heat: the galleys Have sent a dozen sequent messengers This very night at one another's heels; And many of the consuls, rais'd and met, Are at the duke's already you have been hotly call'd for;
When, being not at your lodging to be found, The senate hath sent about three several quests To search you out. Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house, And go with you.
[Exit. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? lago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carrack:
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand.
Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go? Have with you. Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers, with torches and weapons. Iago. It is Brabantio :-general, be advis'd; He comes to bad intent.
Oth. Holla! stand there! Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. Bra.
Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides. lago. You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.
Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. [years, Good signior, you shall more command with Than with your weapons.
Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?
Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her; For I'll refer me to all things of sense, If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy, So opposite to marriage, that she shunn'd The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation, Would ever have, to incur a general mock, Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight. Judge me the world; if 'tis not gross in sense, That thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms; [minerals, Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs, or That weaken motion; I'll hav't disputed on; 'Tis probable, and palpable to thinking. I therefore apprehend and do attach thee, For an abuser of the world, a practiser Of arts inhibited and out of warrant. Lay hold upon him: if he do resist, Subdue him at his peril.
Both you of my inclining, and the rest: [it Were it my cue to fight, I should have known Without a prompter.-Where will you that I To answer this your charge? [go Bra. To prison; till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer.
Oth. How may the duke be therewith satisfied, Whose messengers are here about my side, Upon some present business of the state, To bring me to him?
Off. 'Tis true, most worthy signior; The duke's in council, and your noble self, I am sure, is sent for.
How! the duke in council! In this time of the night!-Bring him away: Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself, Or any of my brothers of the state, Cannot but feel this wrong, as twere their own; For if such actions may have passage free, Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. [Exeunt.
SCENE III.-A Council Chamber.
The Duke, and Senators, sitting at a table, Officers attending.
Duke. There is no composition in these news, That gives them credit.
I Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven galleys. Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty. 2 Sen. And mine, two hundred :| But though they jump not on a just account, (As in these cases, where the aim reports, 'Tis oft with difference,) yet do they all confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judg- I do not so secure me in the error, [ment: But the main article I do approve In fearful sense. [what, ho! Sailor. [Within.] What, ho! what, ho Enter a Sailor.
Off. A messenger from the galleys.
Sail. The Turkish preparation makes for So was I bid report here to the state, [Rhodes; By signior Angelo.
Duke. How say you by this change? I Sen. This cannot be,
By no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant, To keep us in false gaze. When we consider The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk; And let ourselves again but understand, That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
So may he with more facile question bear it, For that it stands not in such warlike brace, But altogether lacks the abilities
That Rhodes is dress'd in:-if we make thought of this,
We must not think the Turk is so unskilful, To leave that latest which concerns him first, Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain, To wake and wage a danger profitless. Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Of. Here is more news. [Rhodes.
Enter a Messenger. Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course towards the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet. 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess? [stem
Mess. Of thirty sail: and now they do re- Their backward course, bearing with frank [Montano, Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, And prays you to believe him.
Duke. 'Tis certain, then, for Cyprus. Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town? I Sen. He's now in Florence. Duke. Write from us to him; post-post- haste despatch.
1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Moor.
Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Officers.
Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman.- [To Bra.] I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior;
We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. Bra. So did I yours. Good your grace,
Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business, Hath rais'd me from my bed; nor doth the general care
Take hold of me; for my particular grief Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature, That it engluts and swallows other sorrows, And it is still itself.
Duke. Why, what's the matter? Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter! Duke and Senators.
She is abus'd, stol'n from me, and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mounte- For nature so preposterously to err,-- [banks; Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,- Sans witchcraft could not. [ceeding, Duke. Whoe'er he be that in this foul pro- Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, And you of her, the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, After your own sense; yea, though our proper Stood in your action. [son Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it
Your special mandate, for the state affairs, Hath hither brought.
Duke and Senators. We are very sorry for it. Duke. [To Oth.] What, in your own part, can you say to this?
Bra. Nothing, but this is so.
Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, [ters,My very noble and approv'd good masThat I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true, I have married her : The very head and front of my offending Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace; For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have Their dearest action in the tented field; [us'd And little of this great world can I speak, More than pertains to feats of broil and battle; And therefore little shall I grace my cause, In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver
Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms,
What conjuration, and what mighty magic, For such proceeding I am charg'd withal, I won his daughter.
Bra. A maiden never bold; Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion Blush'd at herself; and she, in spite of
Of years, of country, credit, everything,- To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! It is a judgment maim'd, and most imperfect, That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature; and must be driven
To find out practices of cunning hell, Why this should be. I therefore vouch again, That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood,
Or with some dram conjur'd to this effect, He wrought upon her.
Duke. To vouch this is no proof, Without more certain and more overt test Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him. 1 Sen. But, Othello, speak :
Did you by indirect and forced courses [tions? Subdue and poison this young maid's affec- Or came it by request, and such fair question As soul to soul affordeth? Oth. I do beseech you, Send for the lady to the Sagittary, And let her speak of me before her father: If you do find me foul in her report, The trust, the office, I do hold of you, Not only take away, but let your sentence Even fall upon my life. Duke. Fetch Desdemona hither. Oth. Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place. -
[Exeunt Iago and Attendants. And, till she come, as truly as to heaven I do confess the vices of my blood, So justly to your grave ears I'll present How I did thrive in this fair lady's love, And she in mine.
Oth. Her father lov'd me; oft invited me; Still question'd me the story of my life, From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have pass'd.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days, To the very moment that he bade me tell it : Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances, Of moving accidents by flood and field : Of hair-breadth scapes i' th' imminent deadly Of being taken by the insolent foe, [breach; And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence, And portance in my travel's history; Wherein of antres vast, and deserts idle, Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch heaven,
It was my hint to speak,-such was the process; And of the Cannibals that each other eat, The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads Do grow beneath their shoulders. This to hear Would Desdemona seriously incline :
But still the house affairs would draw her thence;
Which ever as she could with haste despatch, She'd come again, and with a greedy ear Devour up my discourse: which I observing, Took once a pliant hour; and found good
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart, That I would all my pilgrimage dilate, Whereof by parcels she had something heard, But not intentively: I did consent; And often did beguile her of her tears, When I did speak of some distressful stroke That my youth suffer'd. My story being done, She gave me for my pains a world of sighs: She swore,-in faith, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange ;
'Twas pitiful, 'twas wondrous pitiful:
She wish'd she had not heard it; yet she wish'd That heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd me;
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