PERSONS REPRESENTED. Duke of Venice. Brabantio, a Senator. Two other Senators. Gratiano, brother to Brabantio. Lodovico, kinsman to Brabantio. Othello, the Moor: Cassio, his Lieutenant; Iago, his Ancient. Roderigo, a Venetian Gentleman. Montano, Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus. Clown, servant to Othello. Herald. Desdemona, daughter to Brabantio, and wife to Othello. Emilia, wife to Iago. Bianca, a courtezan, mistress to Cassio. Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, Sailors, Attendants, &c. SCENE, for the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the play, at a sea-port in Cyprus. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. ACT I SCENE I. VENICE. A STREET. Enter Roderigo and Iago. Rod. Tush, never tell me, I take it much un kindly, That thou, Iago,-who hast had my purse, If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, B I know my price, I am worth no worse a place; My mediators; for, certes, says he, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, More than a spinster; unless the bookish theorick, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, By debitor and creditor, this counter-caster; cient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. But there's no remedy, 'tis the curse of service: Preferment goes by letter, and affection, Not by the old gradation, where each second Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself, Whether I in any just term am affin'd To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him then. Iago. O, sir, content you; I follow him to serve my turn upon him: Whip me such honest knaves: Others there are, Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir, It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago: In following him, I follow but myself; For when my outward action doth demonstrate In compliment extern, 'tis not long after Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, If he can carry't thus! Iago. Call up her father, Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight, Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. As when, by night and negligence, the fire Is spied in populous cities. Rod. What ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what, ho! Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves! thieves! Brabantio, above, at a window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible sum mons? What is the matter there? Rod. Signior, is all your family within? Iago. Are your doors lock'd? Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this? Iago. 'Zounds, sir, you are robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; |