Othello. William Shakespeare
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Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
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 unhousèd free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea’s worth. But, look! what lights come yond?
IAGO
Those are the raisèd father and his friends:
You were best go in.
OTHELLO
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.
[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
Have sent a dozen sequent 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
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 tonight hath boarded a land carack:
If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever.
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 advis’d;
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
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 shunn’d
The wealthy curlèd 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 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,
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,
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.]
SCENE III. Venice. A council chamber.
[The Duke and Senators sitting at a table; Officers attending.]