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ACT I

Sc. I

Past thought! What said she to you?

tapers;

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Raise all my kindred. Are they married, 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

By what you see them act. Is there not charms
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, would 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.

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On, good Roderigo; I'll deserve your pains. [exeunt.

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SCENE II. The Same. Another Street.

Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants with torches.

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 the ribs.
ОTн. "Tis better as it is.

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 you, Sir,

Are you fast married? Be assur'd of this,

That the Magnifico is much belov'd;
And hath, in his effect, a voice potential,

ΙΟ

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.

Отн.

Let him do his spite:
My services which I have done the Signiory
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know
(Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,
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

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For the Sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond? IAGO. Those are the raised father and his friends:

You were best go in.

Отн.

Not I; I must be found:

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My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

IAGO. By Janus, I think no.

Enter CASSIO, and certain Officers with torches. Отн. 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 appearance,

Even on the instant.

Отн.

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,

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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.

ACT I

Sc. II

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IAGO. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack :

If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.

CAS. I do not understand.

IAGO.

CAS.

He's married.

To who?

Re-enter OTHELLO.

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IAGO. Marry, to- Come, Captain, will you go?
Отн.

Have with you.

CAS. Here comes another troop to seek for you.
IAGO. It is Brabantio: General, be advis'd;

He comes to bad intent.

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IAGO. You, Roderigo! come, Sir, I am for you.

Отн. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust
them.

Good Signior, you shall more command with years 60
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 curled 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

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That thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms;
Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
That weakens motion: I'll have '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.

Отн.

Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining, and the rest!

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Whither will you that I go
To answer this your charge?

BRA.

To prison; till fit time

Of law and course of direct session

Call thee to answer.

Отн.

What if I do obey ?

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?
FIRST OFF.

'Tis true, most worthy Signior;

The Duke's in council, and your noble self,
I am sure, is sent for.

BRA.

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,

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Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be. [exeunt.

ACT I

Sc. II

SCENE III. The Same. 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.

1 consistency.

ACT I FIRST SEN.

Sc. III

Indeed, they are disproportion'd;
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
DUKE. And mine, a hundred and forty.

SEC. SEN.

And mine, two hundred :

But though they jump not on a just account
(As in these cases, where the aim1 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 judgment:
I do not so secure me in the error,

But the main article I do approve

ΤΟ

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SAIL. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes;

So was I bid report here to the State

By Signior Angelo.

DUKE. How say you by this change?
FIRST 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,2

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 Rhodes.
FIRST OFF. Here is more news.

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Enter a Messenger.

MESS. The Ottomites, Reverend and Gracious,

1 conjecture.

preparation.

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