The Tragedy Of Othello, The Moor Of Venice

1 Enter Othello, Iago and Attendants with torches.
2 IAGO.
3 Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
4 Yet do I hold it very stuff o’ the conscience
5 To do no contriv’d murder; I lack iniquity
6 Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times
7 I had thought to have yerk’d him here under the ribs.
8 OTHELLO.
9 ’Tis better as it is.
10 IAGO.
11 Nay, but he prated,
12 And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
13 Against your honour,
14 That with the little godliness I have,
15 I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,
16 Are you fast married? Be assur’d of this,
17 That the magnifico is much belov’d
18 And hath in his effect a voice potential
19 As double as the duke’s; he will divorce you,
20 Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
21 The law (with all his might to enforce it on)
22 Will give him cable.
23 OTHELLO.
24 Let him do his spite;
25 My services, which I have done the signiory,
26 Shall out-tongue his complaints. ’Tis yet to know,—
27 Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,
28 I shall promulgate,—I fetch my life and being
29 From men of royal siege. And my demerits
30 May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
31 As this that I have reach’d. For know, Iago,
32 But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
33 I would not my unhoused free condition
34 Put into circumscription and confine
35 For the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond?
36 IAGO.
37 Those are the raised father and his friends:
38 You were best go in.
39 OTHELLO.
40 Not I; I must be found.
41 My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
42 Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
43 IAGO.
44 By Janus, I think no.
45 Enter Cassio and Officers with torches.
46 OTHELLO.
47 The servants of the duke and my lieutenant.
48 The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
49 What is the news?
50 CASSIO.
51 The duke does greet you, general,
52 And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance
53 Even on the instant.
54 OTHELLO.
55 What is the matter, think you?
56 CASSIO.
57 Something from Cyprus, as I may divine.
58 It is a business of some heat. The galleys
59 Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
60 This very night at one another’s heels;
61 And many of the consuls, rais’d and met,
62 Are at the duke’s already. You have been hotly call’d for,
63 When, being not at your lodging to be found,
64 The senate hath sent about three several quests
65 To search you out.
66 OTHELLO.
67 ’Tis well I am found by you.
68 I will but spend a word here in the house,
69 And go with you.
70 [_Exit._]
71 CASSIO.
72 Ancient, what makes he here?
73 IAGO.
74 Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack:
75 If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever.
76 CASSIO.
77 I do not understand.
78 IAGO.
79 He’s married.
80 CASSIO.
81 To who?
82 Enter Othello.
83 IAGO.
84 Marry to—Come, captain, will you go?
85 OTHELLO.
86 Have with you.
87 CASSIO.
88 Here comes another troop to seek for you.
89 Enter Brabantio, Roderigo and Officers with torches and weapons.
90 IAGO.
91 It is Brabantio. General, be advis’d,
92 He comes to bad intent.
93 OTHELLO.
94 Holla, stand there!
95 RODERIGO.
96 Signior, it is the Moor.
97 BRABANTIO.
98 Down with him, thief!
99 [_They draw on both sides._]
100 IAGO.
101 You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you.
102 OTHELLO.
103 Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
104 Good signior, you shall more command with years
105 Than with your weapons.
106 BRABANTIO.
107 O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow’d my daughter?
108 Damn’d as thou art, thou hast enchanted her,
109 For I’ll refer me to all things of sense,
110 (If she in chains of magic were not bound)
111 Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,
112 So opposite to marriage, that she shunn’d
113 The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
114 Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
115 Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
116 Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight.
117 Judge me the world, if ’tis not gross in sense,
118 That thou hast practis’d on her with foul charms,
119 Abus’d her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
120 That weakens motion. I’ll have’t disputed on;
121 ’Tis probable, and palpable to thinking.
122 I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
123 For an abuser of the world, a practiser
124 Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.—
125 Lay hold upon him, if he do resist,
126 Subdue him at his peril.
127 OTHELLO.
128 Hold your hands,
129 Both you of my inclining and the rest:
130 Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
131 Without a prompter. Where will you that I go
132 To answer this your charge?
133 BRABANTIO.
134 To prison, till fit time
135 Of law and course of direct session
136 Call thee to answer.
137 OTHELLO.
138 What if I do obey?
139 How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
140 Whose messengers are here about my side,
141 Upon some present business of the state,
142 To bring me to him?
143 OFFICER.
144 ’Tis true, most worthy signior,
145 The duke’s in council, and your noble self,
146 I am sure is sent for.
147 BRABANTIO.
148 How? The duke in council?
149 In this time of the night? Bring him away;
150 Mine’s not an idle cause. The duke himself,
151 Or any of my brothers of the state,
152 Cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own.
153 For if such actions may have passage free,
154 Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
155 [_Exeunt._]