14

I shall promulgate,) I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege; and my

demerits
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 lieutenant, 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;

my

Oth.

And many of the consuls 15, 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.

'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend a word here in the house,
And go with you.

[Exit. Cas.

Ancient, what makes he here? lago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land ca.

rack 18;
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.

Cas. I do not understand.
Iago.

He's married.
Cas.

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.
Oth.

Hola! stand there!
Rod. Signior, it is the Moor.
Bra.

Down with him, thief!

[They draw on both sides. VOL. XIV.

17

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;
So opposite to marriage, that she shunn'd
The wealthy curled "7 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 in these news, That gives them credit.

1 Sen.

Indeed, they are disproportiond; 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 judgement;
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. Off. 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? 1 Sen.

This cannot be, By no assay

of reason; 'tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze: When we consider
The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk;
And let ourselves again but understand,
That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,
But altogether lacks the abilities