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Though I do hate him as I do hell's pains,
Yet, for necessity of present life,

I must shew out a flag and sign of love: [find him,
(Which is, indeed, but sign.) That you may surely
Lead to the Sagittary the raised search; (16)
And there will I be with him. So, farewel. [Exit.

(16) The constellation of the Sagittary is well known to be a Centaur; and if the north side of the moon be placed on the left hand, the shadows that compose the person of Othello, (fig. 98,) may be fancied to resemble such an imaginary animal, with its face, (which is the same as Orsin's in Hudibras, fig 15,) to the left, as drawn in

[merged small][graphic]

Enter BRABANTIO, and Servants with lighted

Torches.

Bra. It is too true an evil.

Gone she is ;

And what's to come of my despised time,
Is nought but bitterness. Now, Rodorigo,
Where didst thou see her? Oh unhappy girl!
With the Moor, saidst thou? who would be a father?
How didst thou know'twas she? oh, she deceives me,
Past thought--What said she to you? get more
tapers.

Raise all my kindred-are they married think you?
Rod. Truly, I think, they are.

Bra. Oh heaven! how gat she out! Oh treason of my blood! [minds, Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' By what you see them act. Are there not charms, By which the property of youth and maidhood May be abused? have you not read, Rodorigo, Of some such thing?

Rod. Yes, Sir, I have, indeed.

[had her.

Bra. Call up my brother. Oh, 'would you had Some one way, some another-Do you know Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?

Rod. I think I can discover him, if you please To get good guard, and go along with me.

Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call, I may command at most; get weapons, hoa!

And raise some special officers of might:
On, good Rodorigo, I'll deserve your pains.

[Exeunt. SCENE changes to another Street before the Sa

- gittary.

Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants, with Torches.

Iago. Tho' in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o' th' conscience To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity Sometimes to do me service.-Nine or ten times. I thought to've jerked him here under the ribs.

Oth. It's better as it is.

Iago. Nay, but he prated,

And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
Against your honour;

That with the little godliness I have,

But I pray, Sir,

I did full hard forbear him. But I

Are

you fast married? for be sure of this, That the magnifico is much beloved, And hath in his effect a voice potential As double as the Duke's: he will divorce you, Or put upon you what restraint or grievance The law (with all his might t' enforce it on) Will give him cable. (17)

(17) This alludes to the streaks of light, like ropes, on Brabantio's person in the moon..

Oth. Let him do his spight;

My services, which I have done the signory,
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,
(Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,
I shall promulgate) I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege; (18) and my demerits
May speak, and bonneted, (19) to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reached. For know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,

I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine,

[yonder. For the sea's worth. But look, what lights come

Enter CASSIO, with Torches.

lago. Those are the raised father, and his friends: You were best

go in.

(18) Royal siege. In fact there is a likeness of a crown over Othello's head, and thence it was that the same space in the play of Hamlet was assigned to the person of the King.

(19) Othello's cap or bonnet, is drawn in

Fig. 100.

such as it appears on his head in its prototype.

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.

[nant.

Oth. The servants of the duke and my lieuteThe goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news?

Cas. The duke doth 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: And many of the counsellors raised and met, Are at the duke's already.

called for, (20)

You have been hotly

When, being not at your lodging to be found,
The senate sent above three several quests,

To search you out.

(20) I incline to think that this singular word (hotly) was intended to involve a pun upon the first part of Othello's name, as its latter part might offer occasion for a more obvious pun, no less consistent with the diabolical fury with which he is hereafter seized.

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