Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? This is Venice: My house is not a grange. Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. Iago. 'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service, you think we are ruffians. You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse: you'll have your nephews neigh to you: you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. You are a senator. Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee, Roderigo. Rod. Sir, I will answer anything. But I beseech you, If't be your pleasure and most wise consent I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: Cannot with safety cast him: for he 's embarked I must shew out a flag and sign of love, Lead to the Sagittary the raiséd search; Enter, below, BRABANTIO, and Servants, with torches. Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is; And what 's to come of my despised time Is nought but bitterness.-Now, Roderigo, Where didst thou see her?-O, unhappy girl!With the Moor, say'st thou ?-Who would be a father? How didst thou know 't was she?-O, thou deceivest me Past thought!-What said she to you?-Get more tapers; Raise all my kindred.—Are they married, think you? Rod. Truly, I think they are. Bra. O heaven!-How got she out?-O treason of the blood!- Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds By what you see them act.-Are there not charms Yes, sir; I have indeed. Some one way, some another.-Do you know Where we may apprehend her and the Moor? Rod. I think I can discover him; if you please To get good guard, and go along with me. Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call; I may command at most.-Get weapons, ho! And raise some special officers of night.On, good Roderigo: I will deserve your pains. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-The same. Another Street. Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants. 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 My services, which I have done the signiory, For the sea's worth.-But, look! what lights come yonder? my daughter? Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her: Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals Both you of my inclining and the rest: Bra. To prison till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer. SCENE III.-The same. A Council- Chamber. The DUKE and Senators, sitting; Officers attending. Duke. There is no composition in these news, That gives them credit. 1st Sen. Indeed they are disproportioned. My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies. Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty. 2nd 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. Offi. 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? 1st Sen. This cannot be, By no assay of reason : 't is a pageant, To keep us in false gaze. When we consider That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes, may he with more facile question bear it, For that it stands not in such warlike brace, But altogether lacks th' abilities That Rhodes is dressed in: if we make thought of this, Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. Offi. Here is more news. Enter a Messenger. Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course toward the Isle of Rhodes, Have there injointed them with an after fleet. 1st Sen. Ay, so I thought :-how many, as you guess? Mess. Of thirty sail: and now do they re-stem Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance Their purposes toward Cyprus.-Signior Montano, Duke. "Tis certain, then, for Cyprus.— Duke. Write from us: wish him post-posthaste: despatch. 1st Sen. Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor. Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers. Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman. I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior: [To BRABANTIO. We lacked your counsel and your help to-night. yours. Good your grace, par Bra. So did I don me: Oth. Her father loved me; oft invited me; I ran it through, even from my boyish days, Of being taken by the insolent foe, And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence, It was my hint to speak; such was the process: Would Desdemona seriously incline : But still the house affairs would draw her thence; "T was pitiful, 't was wondrous pitiful: She wished she had not heard it; yet she wished That heaven had made her such a man: she thanked me; And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, I do perceive here a divided duty. Το you I am bound for life and education: My life and education both do learn me How to respect you: you are the lord of duty; I am hitherto your daughter. But here's my husband: And so much duty as my mother shewed Bra. God be with you! I have done.— I here do give thee that with all my heart, sentence Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers When remedies are past, the griefs are ended, The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief: He robs himself that spends a bootless grief. Bra. So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile : We lose it not so long as we can smile. He bears the sentence well that nothing bears But the free comfort which from thence he hears: |