Tago.

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, sir,
Are
you

fast married ? for, be sure of this,
That the magnifico 3 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.
Oth,

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;4 and my demerits 5
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

yonder?

3 Brabantio, magnifico is his title as a senator.

4 Seat or throne. A Demerits has the same meaning in Shakspeare as merits. 6 Covered.

7 Unsettled.

Enter Cassio, at a distance, and certain Officers

with Torches.

lago. 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,
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

Iago. By Janus, I think no.
Oih. The servants of the duke, and my lieute-

nant.
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.
Oth.

What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine;

İ

;
It is a business of some heat: the gallies
Have sent a dozen sequent8 messengers
This very night at one another's heels;
And many of the consuls, rais'd, 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 quests, 9
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.

[Exit. Cas.

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.

Cas. I do not understand.
Iago.

He's married.
Cas.

To who?

Have with you.

Re-enter OTHELLO.
Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go?
Oth.
Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Oficers of

night, with Torches and Weapons.
Iago. It is Brabantio :-general, be advis’d;
He comes to bad intent.
Oth.

Hola! stand there!
Rod. Signior, it is the Moor.
Brà.

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?
Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her:
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magick were not bound,
Whether a maid-so tender, fair, and happy ;

SA rich vessel.

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

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
To answer this your charge ?
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 ;
Whose messengers are here about my side,
Upon some present business of the state,
To bring me to him?
Of

'Tis true, most worthy signior, The duke's in council; and your noble self, I am sure, is sent for.

that I go

2 To terrify, not delight.

Or any

Bra.

How ! the duke in council!
In this time of the night !-Bring him away:
Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,

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,3 shall our statesmen be.

[Exeunt.

The Duke, and Senators, sitting at a Table; Officers

attending. Duke. There is no composition4 in these news, That gives them credit. 1 Sen.

Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies.

Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty. 2 Sen.

And mine, two hundred: But though they jump not on a just account, (As in these cases, where the aim 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 In fearful sense.

Sailor. [IVithin.] What ho! what ho! what ho!

3 The pagans and bond-slaves of Africa.

+ Consistency. 5 Conjecture.