ACT 1. 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,
- 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,
- 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:
- 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, 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:
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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