TPTT The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice: ACT I
Introduction
ACT I
SCENE I. Venice. A street.
SCENE II. Another street.
SCENE III. A council-chamber.
ACT II
ACT III
ACT IV
ACT V
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SCENE II. 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 contrived murder: I lack iniquity
      Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times
5     I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.
OTHELLO
      'Tis better as it is.
IAGO
      Nay, but he prated,
      And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
      Against your honour
10    That, with the little godliness I have,
      I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,
      Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
      That the magnifico is much beloved,
      And hath in his effect a voice potential
15    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.
OTHELLO
      Let him do his spite:
20    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
25    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
30    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.
OTHELLO
      Not I I must be found:
      My parts, my title and my perfect soul
35    Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
IAGO
      By Janus, I think no.
Enter CASSIO, and certain Officers with torches
OTHELLO
      The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant.
      The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
      What is the news?
CASSIO
40    The duke does greet you, general,
      And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
      Even on the instant.
OTHELLO
      What is the matter, think you?
CASSIO
      Something from Cyprus as I may divine:
45    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
50    hotly call'd for;
      When, being not at your lodging to be found,
      The senate hath sent about three several guests
      To search you out.
OTHELLO
      'Tis well I am found by you.
55    I will but spend a word here in the house,
      And go with you.
Exit
CASSIO
      Ancient, what makes he here?
IAGO
      'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack:
      If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
CASSIO
60    I do not understand.
IAGO
      He's married.
CASSIO
      To who?
Re-enter OTHELLO
IAGO
      Marry, to--Come, captain, will you go?
OTHELLO
      Have with you.
CASSIO
65    Here comes another troop to seek for you.
IAGO
      It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
      He comes to bad intent.
Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers with torches and weapons
OTHELLO
      Holla! stand there!
RODERIGO
      Signior, it is the Moor.
BRABANTIO
70    Down with him, thief!
They draw on both sides
IAGO
      You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.
OTHELLO
      Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
      Good signior, you shall more command with years
      Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO
75    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,
80    So opposite to marriage that she shunned
      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.
85    Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
      That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,
      Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
      That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;
      'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
90    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.
OTHELLO
95    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. Where will you that I go
      To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO
100   To prison, till fit time
      Of law and course of direct session
      Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO
      What if I do obey?
      How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
105   Whose messengers are here about my side,
      Upon some present business of the state
      To bring me to him?
First Officer
      'Tis true, most worthy signior;
      The duke's in council and your noble self,
110   I am sure, is sent for.
BRABANTIO
      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,
115   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
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