Act I. Sc. iii.

TRAGEDY OF OTH

Scene III.

A council-chamber.

The Duke and Senators sitting at a table; Office attending.

Duke. There is no composition in these news

That gives them credit.

First Sen.

Indeed they are dispropo

My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.

Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty.
Sec. Sen.

And mine, two h

But though they jump not on a just account,-
As in these cases, where the aim reports,
'Tis oft with difference,-yet do they all conf
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.

Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgement:
I do not so secure me in the error,
But the main article I do approve
In fearful sense.

Sailor. [Within] What, ho! what, ho! what,
First Off. A messenger from the galleys.

Duke.

Enter Sailor.

Now, what's the bu

Sail. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes;

So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.

Duke. How say you by this change?
First Sen.

This cannot be

By no assay of reason: 'tis a pageant
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,

THE MOOR OF VENICE

Act I. Sc. iii.

And let ourselves again but understand
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes,
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,

But altogether lacks the abilities

That Rhodes is dress'd in: if we make thought of this,
We must not think the Turk is so unskilful
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.
First Off. Here is more news.

Enter a Messenger.

Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,

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Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
First Sen. Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
Mess. Of thirty sail: and now they do re-stem

Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,

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ess?

And prays you to believe him.

With his free duty recommends you thus,

Duke. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus.

Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
First Sen. He's now in Florence.
Duke. Write from us to him; post-post-haste dispatch.
First Sen. Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.

Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Officers.
Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman.

Act I. Sc. iii.

TRAGEDY OF OTH

[To Brabantio] I did not see you; welcome signior;

We lack'd your counsel and your help to-nigh Bra. So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon m Neither my place nor aught I heard of busine Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the gene Take hold on me; for my particular grief Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature That it engluts and swallows other sorrows,

She is abused, stol'n from me and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebank
For nature so preposterously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not.

Duke. Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself
And you of her, the bloody book of law
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
After your own sense, yea, though our proper
Stood in your action.

Bra.

Humbly I thank your grac Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it see Your special mandate for the state-affairs

Hath hither brought.

All.

We are very sorry for 't.

Duke. [To Othello] What in your own part can you

gentle 50

Bra. Nothing, but this is so.

Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
My very noble and approved good masters,
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true, I have married her :
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,
And little blest with the soft phrase of peace;

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For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used

Their dearest action in the tented field;

And little of this great world can I speak,

More than pertains to feats of broil and battle;

And therefore little shall I grace my cause

In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver

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Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms,
What conjuration and what mighty magic-
For such proceeding I am charged withal-
I won his daughter.

A maiden never bold;

Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
Blush'd at herself; and she-in spite of nature,
Of years, of country, credit, every thing-
To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on!
It is a judgement maim'd and most imperfect,
That will confess perfection so could err
Against all rules of nature; and must be driven
To find out practices of cunning hell,
Why this should be. I therefore vouch again,
That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood,
Or with some dram conjured to this effect,

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Act I. Sc. iii

Duke.

TRAGEDY OF OTI

He wrought upon her.

To vouch this, is no [ Without more certain and more overt test Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods Of modern seeming do prefer against him. First Sen. But, Othello, speak :

Oth.

Did you by indirect and forced courses
Subdue and poison this young maid's affectio
Or came it by request, and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth ?

I do beseech you,

Send for the lady to the Sagittary,
And let her speak of me before her father :
If you do find me foul in her report,
The trust, the office I do hold of you,
Not only take away, but let your sentence

Even fall upon my life.

Duke.
Fetch Desdemona hith
Oth. Ancient, conduct them; you best know the
[Exeunt Iago and A

And till she come, as truly as to heaven
I do confess the vices of my blood,
So justly to your grave ears I'll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady's love
And she in mine.

Duke. Say it, Othello.

Oth. Her father loved me, oft invited me,

Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortune
That I have pass'd.

I ran it through, even from my boyish days
To the very moment that he bade me tell it :