SENATORS, OFFICERS, SERVANTS, &c. SCENE,-In the first Act, in Venice; during the rest of the Play, in the Island of Cyprus. OTHELLO. ACT THE FIRST. SCENE I. Venice. A Street. Enter IAGO and RODERIGO. Rod. Tush, ne'er tell me, I take it much unkindly That thou, lago,-who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine,-shouldst know of this. Iago. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me : If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me, thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war; My mediators; "for certes," Forsooth, a great arithmetician, That never set a squadron in the field, More than a spinster : He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I, (Heaven bless the mark!) his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By Heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. Now, sir, be judge yourself, Whether I, in any just term, am affined Rod. I would not follow him then. I follow him, to serve my turn upon him: For, when my outward action does demonstrate Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, If he can carry it thus ! Iago. Call up her father, Rouse him; make after him, poison his delight; Yet throw such changes of vexation on't, As it may lose some colour. Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. 5 As when, by night and negligence, the fire Rod. What ho! Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho! thieves! thieves !— Brabantio! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!Thieves! thieves! Enter 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? Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this? Iago. Sir, you are robb'd:-For shame, 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? Bra. Not I: What are you? Rod. My name is-Roderigo. Bra. The worse welcome: I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors: In honest plainness thou hast heard me say, My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, Being full of supper, and distempering draughts, Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come To start my quiet : Rod. 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 Sir, you are one of those that will not serve Heaven, if the devil bid you. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, sir, that come 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. Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But I beseech you, Straight satisfy yourself: If she be in her chamber, or your house, Let loose on me the justice of the state Bra. Give me a taper ;-call up all my people ; [Exit. Iago. Farewell; for I must leave you : Against the Moor: For, I do know, the state,- To lead their business: in which regard, I must show out a flag and sign of love, |