But let this same be presently perform'd, Even when men's minds are wild; lest more mischance On plots and errors, happen. Fort. Let four captains Bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage; For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royally; and, for his passage, Speak loudly for him. Take up the bodies:-Such a sight as this Becomes the field, but here shows much amiss. [A dead march. [Exeunt, bearing off the dead bodies; after which, a peal of ordnance is shot off. SCENE, for the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the Play, at a Sea-port in Cyprus. АСТ І. A Street. SCENE I-Venice. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Tush, never tell me, I take it much unkindly, That thou, Iago,-who hast had my purse, As if the strings were thine,-shouldst know of this. If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate. In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Oft capp'd* to him;-and, by the faith of man, My mediators; for, certes, says he, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, * Saluted. † Circumlocution. VOL. IV. 2 I A fellow almost damn'd in a fair life; That never set a squadron in the field, More than a spinster; unless* the bookish theoric,† As masterly as he mere prattle, without practice, And I (God bless the mark !), his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. But there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service; Preferment goes by letter, and affection, Not by the old gradation, where each second Rod. I would not follow him then. I follow him to serve my turn upon him: For nought but provender; and, when he's old, cashier'd; Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves; And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, Do well thrive by them, and, when they have lined their coats, Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; And such a one do I profess myself. For, Sir, It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago: In following him, I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, For when my outward action doth demonstrate In compliment extern, ¶ 'tis not long after But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at: I am not what I am. Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe,* If he can carry't thus! * Except. + Theory. ** It was anciently the practice to reckon up sums with counters. § Related. Outward show of civility. Servants. ** Own, enjoy. Iago. Call up her father, Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight, Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy, Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. Is spied in populous cities. Rod. What, ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what, ho! Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves! thieves ! BRABANTIO, above, at a Window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible summons? What is the matter there? Rod. Signior, is all your family within? Iago. Are your doors lock'd? Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this? Iago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst,* you have lost half your soul; Even now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you: Arise, I say. Bra. What, have you lost your wits? Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know my voice? Rod. My name is-Roderigo. Bra. The worse welcome: I have charged thee, not to haunt about my doors: My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, To start my quiet. Rod. Sir, Sir, Sir, Sir, Bra. But thou must needs be sure, My spirit, and my place, have in them power To make this bitter to thee. Rod. Patience, good Sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice; My house is not a grange. Rod. Most grave Brabantio, In simple and pure soul I come to you. Iago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are one of those, tnat will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service, *I. e. is broken. + Intoxicating. you think we are ruffians: You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your nephews* neigh to you: you'll have coursers for cousins, and gennets for germans. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, Sir, that comes to tell you, your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. Iago. You are-a senator. Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee, Roderigo. (As partly, I find, it is), that your fair daughter, I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes, Of here and everywhere: Straight satisfy yourself: Let loose on me the justice of the state For thus deluding you. Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! Give me a taper :-call up all my people :- Belief of it oppresses me already : Light, I say! light! Iago. Farewell; for I must leave you : [Exit from above. Against the Moor: For, I do know the state,- To lead their business; in which regard, Though I do hate him as I do hell pains, I must show out a flag and sign of love, Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him, Lead to the Sagittary the raised search; And there will I be with him. So, farewell. [Exit. About midnight. |