OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. 'The Plot is taken from the Hecatommithi, or 'Hundred Tales' of Giraldo Cinthio, au Italian novelist and dramatist of the second class, in the sixteenth century." But although Shakspeare was indebted for the general plan of his plot to the Italian novelist, vet many of the characters are entirely of his own creation, and all of them owe to him hat individuality which Shakspeare, of all dramatic poets, seems to possess the power of .ransfusing into all the personages he introduces into his Dramas. Bishop Lowth says of this Play, that "the passion of jealousy, its causes, progress, incidents, and effects, have been more truly, more acutely, more copiously, and more impressively delineated, than has been done by all the disquisitions of all the philosophers who have treated on this dark argument." But it may well be added, that the beauties of this immortal Drama are so conspicuous as to need no aid of critical illustration. 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. 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, a noble Moor, in the service of the States of Venice, has won the affectiont of Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio. The lady leaves her father's house, clandes tinely, and is married to the Moor: Iago, a seeming friend of Othello, but in reality his "direst foe,"-acquaints Brabantio of Desdemona's flight, and sets the enraged father in pursuit of his daughter and her husband: he then joins the Moor, to avoid suspicion of his double dealing. ACT I. SCENE II.-A Street in Venice. Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants. Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men, I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs. Iago. Nay, but he pratea, And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms That, with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir, Oth. I would not my unhoused free condition 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 my lieutenant. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news? Cas. And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant. Oth. The duke does greet you, general; What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; It is a business of some heat: the gallies And many of the consuls, rais'd, and met, Are at the duke's already: You have been hotly call'd for; The senate hath sent about three several quests, To search you out. Oth. I will but spend a word here in the house, "Tis well I am found by you. And go with you. [Exit. Cas. Ancient, what makes he here? Iago. He's married. Cas. To whom? Re-enter OTHELLO. Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go? Oth. Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. Have with you. Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with torohes and 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? Thou hast enchanted her: For I'll refer me to all things of sense, If she in chains of magic were not bound, Thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms. Oth. Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: Were it my cue to fight, I would have known it Bra. To prison: till fit tim Of law, and course of direct session, Oth. What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; Off. 'Tis true, most worthy signior How, the duke in council! The duke's in council; and your noble self, Bra. In this time of the night!-Bring him away: Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own: Bond-slaves, and pagans, shall our statesmen be. SCENE III.-The Same. A Council Chamter. [Exeuni The DUKE, and Senators, sitting at a table; Officers attending. Duke. There is no composition in these news, That gives them credit. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; And mine, two hundred 1st Sen. My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies. Duke. And mine a hundred and forty. 2nd Sen. 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. 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 towards Cyprus.-Signior Montano, Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, And prays you to believe him. Duke. "Tis certain then for Cyprus. 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, We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. [TO BRABANTIQ Bra. So did I yours: Good your grace, pardon me; Duke. Sen. Bra. Dead' She is abus'd, stol'n from me, and corrupted Aye, to me: By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks: Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not Duke. Whoe'er he be, that, in this foul proceeding Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, And you of her, the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, After your own sense; yea, though our proper son Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it seems, Your special mandate, for the state affairs, Hath hither brought. Duke & Sen. We are very sorry for it. [TO OTHELLO Duke. What, in your own part, can you say to this? Bra. Nothing, but this is so. Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approv'd good masters,- |