| ACT I 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 |
| | 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 |
| | That, with the little godliness I have, | |
| | I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir, | | 10 |
| | Are you fast married? Be assured of this, | |
| | That the magnifico is much beloved, | |
| | And hath in his effect a voice potential |
| | 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: |
| | 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, | | 20 |
| | 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 |
| | 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: | | 30 |
| | 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. | |
| OTHELLO | The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. | |
| | The goodness of the night upon you, friends! | |
| | What is the news? |
| CASSIO | 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: |
| | It is a business of some heat: the galleys | | 40 |
| | 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; | |
| | 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. |
| | 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: | | 50 |
| | If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. |
| CASSIO | 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 | 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 | 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 | | 60 |
| | Than with your weapons. |
| BRABANTIO | 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 shunned | |
| | The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, | |
| | Would ever have, to incur a general mock, | |
| | Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom | | 70 |
| | Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight. |
| | 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. |
| | 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, | | 80 |
| | Subdue him at his peril. |
| OTHELLO | 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 | 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, |
| | Whose messengers are here about my side, | |
| | Upon some present business of the state | | 90 |
| | To bring me to him? | |
| First Officer | 'Tis true, most worthy signior; | |
| | The duke's in council and your noble self, |
| | 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, |
| | 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 | |
