PERSONS REPRESENTED. DUKE OF VENICE. BRABANTIO, a Senator. Other Senators. GRATIANO, Brother to BRABANTIO. LODOVICO, Kinsman to BRABANTIO. OTHELLO, a noble Moor, in the service of Venice. CASSIO, his Lieutenant. IAGO, his Ancient. RODERIGO, a Venetian Gentleman. MONTANO, OTHELLO's predecessor in the government of Cyprus. Clown, Servant to OTHELLO. DESDEMONA, Daughter to BRABANTIO, and Wife to OTHELLO. EMILIA, Wife to IAGO. BIANCA, Mistress to CASSIO. Officers, Gentlemen, Messenger, Musicians, Herald, Sailor, Attendants, &c. SCENE,--The First Act in VENICE; during the rest of the Play at a Seaport in CYPRUS. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. ACT I. SCENE I.-VENICE. A Street. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Never tell me; I take it much unkindly As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this,— If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou toldst 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, Off-capp'd to him:—and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place :- My mediators; for, Certes, says he, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, By debitor and creditor, this counter-caster; He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I, God bless the mark! his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service, Preferment goes by letter and affection, And not by old gradation, where each second Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him, then. Iago. O, sir, content you; I follow him to serve my turn upon him: For naught 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, [coats, Do well thrive by them, and when they have lin❜d their 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 Rod. What a full fortune does the thick lips owe, Iago. Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy, Rod. Here is her father's house: I'll call aloud. Rod. What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! BRABANTIO appears 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 locked? Bra. Why, wherefore ask you this? Iago. Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; Bra. What, have you lost your wits? Rod. My name is Roderigo. Bra. The worser welcome: I have charg'd 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, Upon malicious bravery dost thou come To start my quiet. Rod. Sir, sir, sir, Bra. My spirit and my place have in them power But thou must needs be sure, Patience, good sir. To make this bitter to thee. Rod. 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 that will not serve God if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service, and 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. 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 Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! Belief of it oppresses me already. Light, I say! light! [Exit from above. Iago. To lead their business: in which regard, |