.* I shall promulgate), I fetch my life and being I would not my unhoused free condition For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yonder? Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers with Torches. Iago. These are the raised father, and his friends: You were best go in. Oth. Not I: I must be found; My parts, my title, and my perfect soul, Iago. By Janus, I think no. Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. Cas. The duke does greet you, general; And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, 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, raised, and met, Are at the duke's already: You have been hotly call'd for; 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. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? Iago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carrack ;T If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand. Iago. He's married. Cas. To who? Re-enter OTHELLO. Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go? Oth. Have with you. Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. [Exit, Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with torches and weapons. Iago. It is Brabantio:-general, be advised ;** He comes to bad intent. Oth. Hola! stand there! *Seat or throne. Il Searchers. † Merits. + Unsettled. § Successive. Large vessel. ** Cautious. Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. Bra. Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides. Iago. You, Roderigo! come, Sir, I am for you. Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.— Good signior, you shall more command with years, Than with your weapons. Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? If she in chains of magic were not bound, Oth. Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it Bra. To prison: till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer. Oth. What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; Off 'Tis true, most worthy signior, Bra. How! the duke in council! In this time of the night!-Bring him away: Or any of my brothers of the state, Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own: [Exeunt. 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 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; But though they jump not on a just account Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment; But the main article I do approve In fearful sense. Sailor [within]. What ho! what ho! what ho! Off. A messenger from the galleys. Duke. Now? the business? Sailor. 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? 1 Sen. This cannot be, By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant, To keep us in false gaze: When we consider And let ourselves again but understand, That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes, But altogether lacks the abilities That Rhodes is dress'd in ;-if we make thought of this, 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. Enter a MESSENGER. Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought :-How many, as you guess? * Consistency. † Conjecture. State of defence. Fight. Easy dispute. Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, Duke. 'Tis certain, then, for Cyprus.- 1 Sen. He's now in Florence. Duke. Write from us; wish him post-post-haste: despatch. 1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, with the valiant Moor. Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers. I did not see you; welcome, gentle Signior; [TO BRABANTIO. Bra. So did I yours: Good your grace, pardon me; Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature, Duke. Why, what's the matter? Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter! Bra. Ay, to me; She is abused, stolen from me, and corrupted Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not Duke. Whoe'er he be, that, in this foul proceeding, Hath thus beguiled 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 son Stood in your action.+ Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it seems, Hath hither brought. Duke & Sen. We are very sorry for it. Duke. What, in your own part, can you say to this? Bra. Nothing, but this is so. Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approved good masters, That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter, The very head and front of my offending [TO OTHELLO. Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech, For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith, *Recommend. Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used In speaking for myself: Yet, by your gracious patience, Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, (For such proceeding I am charged withal), Bra. A maiden never bold; Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on ? Why this should be. I therefore vouch again, Duke. To vouch this, is no proof; Without more certain and more overt test,t Did you by indirect and forced courses Subdue and poison this young maid's affections? 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, Duke. Say it, Othello. Oth. Her father loved me; oft invited me; Still question'd me the story of my life, *Best exertion. † Open proof. I. e. to the sign of the Sagittary. Weak show. |