Othello. William Shakespeare

Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,

       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 unhousèd free condition

       Put into circumscription and confine

       For the sea’s worth. But, look! what lights come yond?

       IAGO

       Those are the raisèd father and his friends:

       You were best go in.

       OTHELLO

       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.

       [Enter Cassio and certain Officers with torches.]

       OTHELLO

       The servants of the duke and my lieutenant.—

       The goodness of the night upon you, friends!

       What is the news?

       CASSIO

       The duke does greet you, general;

       And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance

       Even on the instant.

       OTHELLO

       What is the matter, think you?

       CASSIO

       Something from Cyprus, as I may divine:

       It is a business of some heat: the galleys

       Have sent a dozen sequent messengers

       This very night at one another’s heels;

       And many of the consuls, 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.

       OTHELLO

       ‘Tis well I am found by you.

       I will but spend a word here in the house,

       And go with you.

       [Exit.]

       CASSIO

       Ancient, what makes he here?

       IAGO

       Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carack:

       If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever.

       CASSIO

       I do not understand.

       IAGO

       He’s married.

       CASSIO

       To who?

       [Re-enter Othello.]

       IAGO

       Marry, to—Come, captain, will you go?

       OTHELLO

       Have with you.

       CASSIO

       Here comes another troop to seek for you.

       IAGO

       It is Brabantio.—General, be advis’d;

       He comes to bad intent.

       [Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers with torches and weapons.]

       OTHELLO

       Holla! stand there!

       RODERIGO

       Signior, it is the Moor.

       BRABANTIO

       Down with him, thief!

       [They draw on both sides.]

       IAGO

       You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.

       OTHELLO

       Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.—

       Good signior, you shall more command with years

       Than with your weapons.

       BRABANTIO

       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 magic were not bound,

       Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,

       So opposite to marriage that she shunn’d

       The wealthy curlèd 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 weaken motion:—I’ll have’t 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.

       OTHELLO

       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?

       BRABANTIO

       To prison; till fit time

       Of law and course of direct session

       Call thee to answer.

       OTHELLO

       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?

       FIRST OFFICER

       ‘Tis true, most worthy signior;

       The duke’s in council, and your noble self,

       I am sure, is sent for.

       BRABANTIO

       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. Venice. A council chamber.

       [The Duke and Senators sitting at a table; Officers attending.]