equestrian and senatorial rank, such as the Brabantio of this tragedy. The robe in this dress is of a bright crimson color; the sleeves are lined with rich golden brown; the flap over the shoulder is white, thickly embroidered in gold and crimson; the little cap is black. The second figure is that of a marine General, or Admiral as he would now be called; and as, at the period when these illuminations were made, the dress of naval and military officers was hardly distinguished, it may be assumed that this figure gives us very nearly, if not Cortegiana fuori di casa $. exactly, the costume proper to Othello. All the drapery of this figure is deep crimson, even to the bonnet; the leadingstaff is also crimson, with a golden spiral. The third figure is a very singular one. It is that of a Venetian courtezan of the period; and on the assumption that Cassio took his lady fair and frail with him from Venice to Cyprus, (for men do sometimes carry their own coals to Newcastle,) it shows the dress proper to Bianca, and illustrates, more forcibly than any description could, the absurdity of attempting to perform this play or the Merchant of Venice in the correct costume of their period. The high cioppini first strike the eye in this figure.* * See the Note on "by the altitude of a choppine," Hamlet, Act II. Sc. 2. They are colored green; the stockings are dark lilac purple; the garters are green, and apparently silken. The puffed trousers are of white satin trimmed with gold. A golden hilted dagger protrudes from the right-hand pocket. The robe is of scarlet. The thin gauzy material which partly covers, without at all concealing, the breasts and shoulders, is of a very pale yellow; and the fan is black. The woman is a blonde, with hair of the beautiful amber red tint so dearly prized by ladies of her time and country, and which, if their hair had it not naturally, they sought with much pains by bleaching and dyeing. The size of the figures in the illumination has been here preserved. Preceding the first quarto edition of this play was the following epistle, by way of Preface, from the Publisher to the Reader. "The Stationer to the Reader. "To set forth a booke without an Epistle were like to the old English proverbe, A blew coat without a badge, and the author being dead, I thought good to take that piece of worke upon mee: to commend it, I will not, for that which is good, I hope, every man will commend without intreaty; and I am the bolder, because the author's name is sufficient to vent his worke. Thus leaving every one to the liberty of iudgement, I have ventered to print this play, and leave it to the generall censure. Yours, VOL. XI. X THOMAS WAlkley." (369) DRAMATIS PERSONE. DUKE OF VENICE. BRABANTIO, a Senator. Two other Senators. GRATIANO, Brother to Brabantio. LODOVICO, Kinsman to Brabantio. "OTHELLO, the Moor. -CASSIO, his Lieutenant. -IAGO, his Ancient. RODERIGO, a Venetian Gentleman. MONTANO, Governor of Cyprus. Herald. - DESDEMONA, Daughter to Brabantio, and Wife to Othello. EMILIA, Wife to Iago. BIANCA, Mistress to Cassio. Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, Sailors, Attendants, &c. SCENE: for the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the (370) THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, THE MOOR ACT I. SCENE I.-Venice. A Street. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. RODERIGO. (TUSH!) never tell me, I take it much unkindly, As if the strings were thine, should'st know of this. Iago. ['Sblood,] but you will not hear me: If ever I did dream of such a matter, abhor me. Thou told'st me thou did'st hold him in thy hate. Rod. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, I know my price: I am worth no worse a place; Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war; [And, in conclusion,] (371) |