And bade me, if I had a friend that lov'd her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, And I lov'd her, that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have us'd; Enter Desdemona, Iago, and Attendants. Duke. I think, this tale would win my daughter too. Good Brabantio, Take up this mangled matter at the best: Bra. I pray you, hear her speak; If she confess, that she was half the wooer, Destruction on my head, if my bad blame Des. My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty: you Το I am bound for life, and education; How to respect you; you are the lord of duty, band; And so much duty as my mother show'd Due to the Moor, my lord. Bra. 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, Is the next way to draw new mischief on. The robb'd, that smiles, steals something from the thief; He robs himself, that spends a bootless grief. We lose it not, so long as we can smile. He bears the sentence well, that nothing bears Being strong on both sides, are equivocal: But words are words; I never yet did hear, That the bruis'd heart was pierced through the ear. I humbly beseech you, proceed to the affairs of state. Duke. The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus:-Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you: And though we have there a substitute of most allow'd sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition. Oth. The tyrant custom, most grave senators, Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war My thrice-driven bed of down: I do agnize A natural and prompt alacrity, I find in hardness; and do undertake As levels with her breeding. Duke. Be't at her father's. Bra. Oth. Nor I. Des. If you please, I'll not have it so. Nor I; I would not there reside, To put my father in impatient thoughts, To assist my simpleness. Duke. What would you, Desdemona? Des. That I did love the Moor to live with him, My downright violence and storm of fortunes May trumpet to the world; my heart's subdu'd Even to the very quality of my lord: I saw Othello's visage in his mind; A moth of peace, and he go to the war, By his dear absence: Let me go with him. Oth. Your voices, lords:-'beseech you, let her will Have a free way. Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not, think But to be free and bounteous to her mind: Make head against my estimation! Duke. Be it as you shall privately determine, Either for her stay, or going: the affair cries— haste,. And speed must answer it; you must hence to Othello, leave some officer behind, And he shall our commission bring to you; Oth. Please your grace, my ancient: A man he is of honesty, and trust: To his conveyance I assign my wife, With what else needful your good grace shall think To be sent after me. Good night to every one.-And, noble signior, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, [To Brabantio. Your son-in-law is far more fair than black. 1 Sen. Adieu, brave Moor! use Desdemona well. Bra. Look to her, Moor; have a quick eye to see; She has deceiv'd her father, and may thee. [Exeunt Duke, Senators, Officers, &c. Oth. My life upon her faith.-Honest Iago, My Desdemona must I leave to thee: I pr'ythee, let thy wife attend on her; |