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Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, ATTENDANTS with torches.
IAGO
1 Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
2 Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
3 To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity
4 Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times
5 I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.
OTHELLO
6 'Tis better as it is.
IAGO
6 Nay, but he prated,
7 And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
8 Against your honor
9 That, with the little godliness I have,
10 I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,
11 Are you fast married? Be assured of this,
12 That the magnifico is much beloved,
13 And hath in his effect a voice potential
14 As double as the duke's: he will divorce you;
15 Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
16 The law, with all his might to enforce it on,
17 Will give him cable.
OTHELLO
17 Let him do his spite:
18 My services which I have done the signiory
19 Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,—
20 Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,
21 I shall promulgate—I fetch my life and being
22 From men of royal siege, and my demerits
23 May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
24 As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
25 But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
26 I would not my unhoused free condition
27 Put into circumscription and confine
28 For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?
IAGO
29 Those are the raised father and his friends:
30 You were best go in.
OTHELLO
30 Not I; I must be found:
31 My parts, my title and my perfect soul
32 Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
IAGO
33 By Janus, I think no.
Enter CASSIO with [OFFICERS and] torches.
OTHELLO
34 The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant.
35 The goodness of the night upon you, friends!
36 What is the news?
CASSIO
36 The duke does greet you, general,
37 And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,
38 Even on the instant.
OTHELLO
38 What is the matter, think you?
CASSIO
39 Something from Cyprus as I may divine:
40 It is a business of some heat: the galleys
41 Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
42 This very night at one another's heels,
43 And many of the consuls, raised and met,
44 Are at the duke's already: you have been hotly call'd for;
45 When, being not at your lodging to be found,
46 The senate hath sent about three several quests
47 To search you out.
OTHELLO
47 'Tis well I am found by you.
48 I will but spend a word here in the house,
49 And go with you.
[Exit.]
CASSIO
49 Ancient, what makes he here?
IAGO
50 'Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carack:
51 If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
CASSIO
52 I do not understand.
IAGO
52 He's married.
CASSIO
52 To who?
[Re-enter OTHELLO.]
IAGO
53 Marry, to—Come, captain, will you go?
OTHELLO
53 Have with you.
CASSIO
54 Here comes another troop to seek for you.
Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO,
with OFFICERS [with] torches [and
weapons.]
IAGO
55 It is Brabantio. General, be advised;
56 He comes to bad intent.
OTHELLO
56 Holla! stand there!
RODERIGO
57 Signior, it is the Moor.
BRABANTIO
57 Down with him, thief!
[They draw on both sides.]
IAGO
58 You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.
OTHELLO
59 Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.
60 Good signior, you shall more command with years
61 Than with your weapons.
BRABANTIO
62 O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?
63 Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;
64 For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
65 If she in chains of magic were not bound,
66 Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,
67 So opposite to marriage that she shunned
68 The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
69 Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
70 Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
71 Of such a thing as thou — to fear, not to delight!
72 Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
73 That thou hast practised on her with foul charms,
74 Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
75 That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on;
76 'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.
77 I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
78 For an abuser of the world, a practiser
79 Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.
80 Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,
81 Subdue him at his peril.
OTHELLO
81 Hold your hands,
82 Both you of my inclining, and the rest:
83 Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
84 Without a prompter. Where will you that I go
85 To answer this your charge?
BRABANTIO
85 To prison, till fit time
86 Of law and course of direct session
87 Call thee to answer.
OTHELLO
87 What if I do obey?
88 How may the duke be therewith satisfied,
89 Whose messengers are here about my side,
90 Upon some present business of the state
91 To bring me to him?
Officer
91 'Tis true, most worthy signior;
92 The duke's in council and your noble self,
93 I am sure, is sent for.
BRABANTIO
93 How! the duke in council!
94 In this time of the night! Bring him away:
95 Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
96 Or any of my brothers of the state,
97 Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;
98 For if such actions may have passage free,
99 Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.
Exeunt.
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