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; and my demerits3
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,

4

2

I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine

For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yonder?

Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers with Torches.

Iago. 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.

2

Oth. The servants of the duke, and my

lieutenant.

men of royal siege;] Men who have sat upon royal thrones. Siege is used for seat by other authors.

3

and my demerits-] Demerits has the same meaning in our author, and many others of that age, as merits.

4

May speak, unbonneted,] Mr. Fuseli (and who is better acquainted with the sense and spirit of our author?) explains this contested passage as follows:

"I am his equal or superior in rank; and were it not so, such are my demerits, that, unbonneted, without the addition of patrician or senatorial dignity, they may speak to as proud a fortune, &c.

5 unhoused] Free from domestick cares. A thought natural to an adventurer.

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; It is a business of some heat: the gallies

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.
Oth.
I will but spend a word here in the house,

And go with you.

Cas.

"Tis well I am found by you.

[Exit.

Ancient, what makes he here?

Iago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land

carack:7

If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.

Cas. I do not understand.

Iago.

Cas.

He's married.

To who?

Re-enter ОTHELLO.

Have with you.

Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go?
Oth.
Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for

you.

6 three several quests,] Quests are, on this occasion,

searches.

7

— a land carack;] A carack is a ship of great bulk, and commonly of great value; perhaps what we now call a galleon..

Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with Torches and Weapons.

Iago. It is Brabantio:-general, be advis'd;"

He comes to bad intent.

Oth.

Rod. Signior, it is the Moor.

Bra.

Hola! stand there!

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, That 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 ;
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,

be advis'd;] That is, be tool; be cautious; be discreet. 9 The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,] Curled is elegantly and ostentatiously dressed.

I

Of such a thing as thou; to fear, not to delight.] To fear, in the present instance, may mean-to terrify.

That waken motion:] Excite desires.

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 that I To answer this your charge?

Bra.

go

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?

"Tis true, most worthy signior,

Off.
The duke's in council; and your noble self,
I am sure, is sent for.

Bra.
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,

How! the duke in council!

Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own:
For if such actions may have passage free,

3

Bond-slaves, and pagans, shall our statesmen be. [Exeunt.

3 Bond-slaves and pagans,] i. e. if this Moor is now suffered to escape with impunity, it will be such an encouragement to his black countrymen, that we may expect to see all the first offices of our state filled up by the pagans and bond-slaves of Africa.

SCENE III.

The same. A Council-Chamber.

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

Duke. There is no composition 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. [Within.] What ho! what ho! what ho!

Enter an Officer, with a Sailor.

Off. A messenger from the gallies.

Duke.

Now? the business?

Sail. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes; So was I bid report here to the state,

By signior Angelo.

Duke. How say you by this change? 1 Sen.

This cannot be,

There is no composition] for consistency, concordancy. 5 where the aim reports,] Where conjecture or suspicion tells the tale.