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ACT I.
Scene I. Venice. A street.
Enter Roderigo and Iago.[4877]
Rod. Tush, never tell me; I take it much unkindly[4878]
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse[4879]
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.[4880]
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse[4879]
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.[4880]
Iago. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me:[4881][4882][4883]
If ever I did dream of such a matter,[4882][4884] 5
Abhor me.[4882][4884][4885]
If ever I did dream of such a matter,[4882][4884] 5
Abhor me.[4882][4884][4885]
Rod. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate.[4886]
Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city,[4887][4888][4889]
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,[4888]
Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,[4888][4890] 10
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:[4888][4891]
But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,[4888][4892]
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance[4888][4893]
Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;[4888][4894]
And, in conclusion,[4888][4895][4896] 15
Nonsuits my mediators; for, 'Certes,' says he,[4896][4897]
'I have already chose my officer.'[4896][4898][4899]
And what was he?[4896][4898]
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,[4896]
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,[4900] 20
A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;[4900][4901]
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,[4902]
Wherein the toged consuls can propose[4903] 25
As masterly as he: mere prattle without practice[4904]
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:[4905]
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds[4906]
Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd[4907] 30
By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,[4908]
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I—God bless the mark!—his Moorship's ancient.[4909]
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,[4888]
Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man,[4888][4890] 10
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:[4888][4891]
But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,[4888][4892]
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance[4888][4893]
Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;[4888][4894]
And, in conclusion,[4888][4895][4896] 15
Nonsuits my mediators; for, 'Certes,' says he,[4896][4897]
'I have already chose my officer.'[4896][4898][4899]
And what was he?[4896][4898]
Forsooth, a great arithmetician,[4896]
One Michael Cassio, a Florentine,[4900] 20
A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife;[4900][4901]
That never set a squadron in the field,
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric,[4902]
Wherein the toged consuls can propose[4903] 25
As masterly as he: mere prattle without practice[4904]
Is all his soldiership. But he, sir, had the election:[4905]
And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes, at Cyprus and on other grounds[4906]
Christian and heathen, must be be-lee'd and calm'd[4907] 30
By debitor and creditor: this counter-caster,[4908]
He, in good time, must his lieutenant be,
And I—God bless the mark!—his Moorship's ancient.[4909]
Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman.
Iago. Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service,[4910] 35
Preferment goes by letter and affection,[4911]
And not by old gradation, where each second[4912]
Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself[4913]
Whether I in any just term am affined[4914]
To love the Moor.
Preferment goes by letter and affection,[4911]
And not by old gradation, where each second[4912]
Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself[4913]
Whether I in any just term am affined[4914]
To love the Moor.
Rod. I would not follow him then. 40
Iago. O, sir, content you;
I follow him to serve my turn upon him:
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark[4915]
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, 45
That doting on his own obsequious bondage
Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd:[4916]
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are[4917]
Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,[4917][4918] 50
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,[4917]
And throwing but shows of service on their lords[4917]
Do well thrive by them, and when they have lined their coats[4919][4920]
Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul,[4919][4921]
And such a one do I profess myself.[4922] 55
For, sir,[4923]
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,[4924] 60
But seeming so, for my peculiar end:[4924]
For when my outward action doth demonstrate[4925]
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after[4926]
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve 65
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.[4927]
I follow him to serve my turn upon him:
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark[4915]
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, 45
That doting on his own obsequious bondage
Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd:[4916]
Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are[4917]
Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,[4917][4918] 50
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves,[4917]
And throwing but shows of service on their lords[4917]
Do well thrive by them, and when they have lined their coats[4919][4920]
Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul,[4919][4921]
And such a one do I profess myself.[4922] 55
For, sir,[4923]
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,[4924] 60
But seeming so, for my peculiar end:[4924]
For when my outward action doth demonstrate[4925]
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after[4926]
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve 65
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.[4927]
Iago. Call up her father,[4930]
Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight,[4930]
Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,[4931] 70
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,[4932]
Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,
Yet throw such changes of vexation on't[4933]
As it may lose some colour.
Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight,[4930]
Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen,[4931] 70
And, though he in a fertile climate dwell,[4932]
Plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy,
Yet throw such changes of vexation on't[4933]
As it may lose some colour.
Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. 75
Iago. Do; with like timorous accent and dire yell[4934]
As when, by night and negligence, the fire[4935]
Is spied in populous cities.[4936]
As when, by night and negligence, the fire[4935]
Is spied in populous cities.[4936]
Rod. What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho!
Brabantio appears above, at a window.[4940]
Iago. Are your doors lock'd?[4942]
Bra. Why, wherefore ask you this?
Iago. 'Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown;[4943]
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;[4944]
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram[4945]
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; 90
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:[4946]
Arise, I say.[4946][4947]
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;[4944]
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram[4945]
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; 90
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:[4946]
Arise, I say.[4946][4947]
Bra. What, have you lost your wits?
Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know my voice?
Bra. Not I: what are you? 95
Rod. My name is Roderigo.
Bra. The worser welcome:[4948]
I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors:[4949]
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,[4950]
Being full of supper and distempering draughts, 100
Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come[4951]
To start my quiet.[4952]
I have charged thee not to haunt about my doors:[4949]
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness,[4950]
Being full of supper and distempering draughts, 100
Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come[4951]
To start my quiet.[4952]
Rod. Sir, sir, sir,—[4953]
Bra. But thou must needs be sure
My spirit and my place have in them power[4954]
To make this bitter to thee.
My spirit and my place have in them power[4954]
To make this bitter to thee.
Rod. Patience, good sir.[4955] 105
Rod. Most grave Brabantio,
In simple and pure soul I come to you.
In simple and pure soul I come to you.
Iago. 'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not[4958]
serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do 110
you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll have your[4959]
daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your
nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins,
and gennets for germans.[4960]
serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do 110
you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll have your[4959]
daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your
nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins,
and gennets for germans.[4960]
Bra. What profane wretch art thou? 115
Iago. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter[4961]
and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.[4962]
and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.[4962]
Bra. Thou art a villain.
Iago. You are—a senator.[4963]
Bra. This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo.[4964]
Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you,[4965] 120
If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,[4966]
As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,[4966]
At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night,[4966][4967]
Transported with no worse nor better guard[4966][4968]
But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,[4966][4969] 125
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,—[4966]
If this be known to you, and your allowance,[4966][4970]
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;[4966][4971]
But if you know not this, my manners tell me[4966]
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe[4966] 130
That, from the sense of all civility,[4966]
I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:[4966]
Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,[4966]
I say again, hath made a gross revolt,[4966]
Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes,[4966][4972] 135
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger[4966][4972][4973]
Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself:[4966][4974]
If she be in her chamber or your house,[4975]
Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you.[4976]
If't be your pleasure and most wise consent,[4966]
As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter,[4966]
At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night,[4966][4967]
Transported with no worse nor better guard[4966][4968]
But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier,[4966][4969] 125
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,—[4966]
If this be known to you, and your allowance,[4966][4970]
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs;[4966][4971]
But if you know not this, my manners tell me[4966]
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe[4966] 130
That, from the sense of all civility,[4966]
I thus would play and trifle with your reverence:[4966]
Your daughter, if you have not given her leave,[4966]
I say again, hath made a gross revolt,[4966]
Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes,[4966][4972] 135
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger[4966][4972][4973]
Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself:[4966][4974]
If she be in her chamber or your house,[4975]
Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you.[4976]
Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! 140
Give me a taper! call up all my people!
This accident is not unlike my dream:
Belief of it oppresses me already.
Light, I say! light! [Exit above.[4977]
Give me a taper! call up all my people!
This accident is not unlike my dream:
Belief of it oppresses me already.
Light, I say! light! [Exit above.[4977]
Iago. Farewell; for I must leave you:
It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,[4978] 145
To be produced—as, if I stay, I shall—[4979]
Against the Moor: for I do know, the state,
However this may gall him with some check,[4980]
Cannot with safety cast him; for he's embark'd[4981]
With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,[4982] 150
Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls,[4983]
Another of his fathom they have none[4984]
To lead their business: in which regard,[4985]
Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains,[4986]
Yet for necessity of present life, 155
I must show out a flag and sign of love,[4987]
Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,[4987][4988]
Lead to the Sagittary the raised search;[4989]
And there will I be with him. So farewell. [Exit.
It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place,[4978] 145
To be produced—as, if I stay, I shall—[4979]
Against the Moor: for I do know, the state,
However this may gall him with some check,[4980]
Cannot with safety cast him; for he's embark'd[4981]
With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars,[4982] 150
Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls,[4983]
Another of his fathom they have none[4984]
To lead their business: in which regard,[4985]
Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains,[4986]
Yet for necessity of present life, 155
I must show out a flag and sign of love,[4987]
Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,[4987][4988]
Lead to the Sagittary the raised search;[4989]
And there will I be with him. So farewell. [Exit.
Enter, below, Brabantio, in his night-gown, and Servants with torches.
Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is;[4990] 160
And what's to come of my despised time[4991]
Is nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,[4992]
Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!
With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father![4993]
How didst thou know 'twas she? O, she deceives me[4994] 165
Past thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers.[4995]
Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?[4996]
And what's to come of my despised time[4991]
Is nought but bitterness. Now, Roderigo,[4992]
Where didst thou see her? O unhappy girl!
With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father![4993]
How didst thou know 'twas she? O, she deceives me[4994] 165
Past thought! What said she to you? Get more tapers.[4995]
Raise all my kindred. Are they married, think you?[4996]
Rod. Truly, I think they are.[4997]
Bra. O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood![4998]
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds 170
By what you see them act. Is there not charms[4999]
By which the property of youth and maidhood[5000]
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
Of some such thing?
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds 170
By what you see them act. Is there not charms[4999]
By which the property of youth and maidhood[5000]
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
Of some such thing?
Rod. Yes, sir, I have indeed.[5001]
Bra. Call up my brother. O, would you had had her![5002] 175
Some one way, some another. Do you know
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?
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.
To get good guard and go along with me.
Scene II. Another street.
Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants with torches.[5006]
Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience[5007]
To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity[5008]
Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times[5009]
I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.[5010] 5
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience[5007]
To do no contrived murder: I lack iniquity[5008]
Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times[5009]
I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.[5010] 5
Oth. 'Tis better as it is.[5011]
Iago. Nay, but he prated
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms[5012]
Against your honour,[8, 9]
That, with the little godliness I have,[5013]
I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,[5014] 10
Are you fast married? Be assured of this,[5015]
That the magnifico is much beloved,
And hath in his effect a voice potential
As double as the duke's: he will divorce you,[5016]
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance[5017] 15
The law, with all his might to enforce it on,[5018]
Will give him cable.[5019]
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms[5012]
Against your honour,[8, 9]
That, with the little godliness I have,[5013]
I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,[5014] 10
Are you fast married? Be assured of this,[5015]
That the magnifico is much beloved,
And hath in his effect a voice potential
As double as the duke's: he will divorce you,[5016]
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance[5017] 15
The law, with all his might to enforce it on,[5018]
Will give him cable.[5019]
Oth. Let him do his spite:
My services, which I have done the signiory,[5020]
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know—
Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,[5021] 20
I shall promulgate—I fetch my life and being[5022]
From men of royal siege, and my demerits[5023]
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune[5024]
As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona, 25
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?[5025]
My services, which I have done the signiory,[5020]
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know—
Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,[5021] 20
I shall promulgate—I fetch my life and being[5022]
From men of royal siege, and my demerits[5023]
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune[5024]
As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona, 25
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?[5025]
Iago. Those are the raised father and his friends:[5026]
You were best go in.
You were best go in.
Oth. Not I; I must be found: 30
My parts, my title and my perfect soul,[5027]
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?[5028]
My parts, my title and my perfect soul,[5027]
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?[5028]
Iago. By Janus, I think no.
Enter Cassio, and certain Officers with torches.[5029]