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, sir,
Are you fast married? for, be sure of this,-
That the magnifico3 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; 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?

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.

Oth. 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;

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.

'Tis well I am found by you.

I will but spend a word here in the house,

[Exit.

Ancient, what makes he here?

And go with you.

Cas.

• Following. 9 Searchers.

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.

Cas.

He's married.

To who?

Re-enter OTHELLO.

Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go?
Oth.

Have with you.

Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you.

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

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

He comes to bad intent.

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;

A rich vessel.

2

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 that I go

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?

Off.

'Tis true, most worthy signior,

The duke's in council; and your noble self,

I am sure, is sent for.

Bra.

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.

The same. A Council Chamber.

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

Duke. There is no composition 4 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!