Act I, Scene ii:
Venice. Another street.

[Enter Othello, Iago, and Attendants with torches.]

IAGO:

Though in the trade of war I have slain men,

Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience

To do no contriv'd murder: I lack iniquity

Sometimes to do me service: nine or ten times

I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs.

OTHELLO:

'Tis better as it is.

IAGO:

Nay, but he prated,

And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms

Against your honor,

That, with the little godliness I have,

I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray you, sir,

Are you fast married? Be assured of this,

That the magnifico is much beloved;

And hath, in his effect, a voice potential

As double as the duke's: he will divorce you;

Or put upon you what restraint and grievance

The law,—with all his might to enforce it on,—

Will give him cable.

OTHELLO:

Let him do his spite:

My services which I have done the signiory

Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,—

Which, when I know that boasting is an honor,

I shall promulgate,—I fetch my life and being

From men of royal siege; and my demerits

May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune

As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,

But that I love the gentle Desdemona,

I would not my unhoused free condition

Put into circumscription and confine

For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?

IAGO:

Those are the raised father and his friends:

You were best go in.

OTHELLO:

Not I; I must be found;

My parts, my title, and my perfect soul

Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

IAGO:

By Janus, I think no.

[Enter Cassio and certain Officers with torches.]

OTHELLO:

The servants of the duke and my lieutenant.—

The goodness of the night upon you, friends!

What is the news?

CASSIO:

The duke does greet you, general;

And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance

Even on the instant.

OTHELLO:

What is the matter, think you?

CASSIO:

Something from Cyprus, as I may divine:

It is a business of some heat: the galleys

Have sent a dozen sequent messengers

This very night at one another's heels;

And many of the consuls, rais'd and met,

Are at the duke's already: you have been hotly call'd for;

When, being not at your lodging to be found,

The senate hath sent about three several quests

To search you out.

OTHELLO:

'Tis well I am found by you.

I will but spend a word here in the house,

And go with you.

[Exit.]

CASSIO:

Ancient, what makes he here?

IAGO:

Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack:

If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever.

CASSIO:

I do not understand.

IAGO:

He's married.

CASSIO:

To who?

[Re-enter Othello.]

IAGO:

Marry, to—Come, captain, will you go?

OTHELLO:

Have with you.

CASSIO:

Here comes another troop to seek for you.

IAGO:

It is Brabantio.—General, be advis'd;

He comes to bad intent.

[Enter Brabantio, Roderigo, and Officers with torches andweapons.]

OTHELLO:

Holla! stand there!

RODERIGO:

Signior, it is the Moor.

BRABANTIO:

Down with him, thief!

[They draw on both sides.]

IAGO:

You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you.

OTHELLO:

Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.—

Good signior, you shall more command with years

Than with your weapons.

BRABANTIO:

O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter?

Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her;

For I'll refer me to all things of sense,

If she in chains of magic were not bound,

Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,

So opposite to marriage that she shunn'd

The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,

Would ever have, to incur a general mock,

Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom

Of such a thing as thou,—to fear, not to delight.

Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense

That thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms;

Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals

That weaken motion:—I'll have't disputed on;

'Tis probable, and palpable to thinking.

I therefore apprehend and do attach thee

For an abuser of the world, a practiser

Of arts inhibited and out of warrant.—

Lay hold upon him: if he do resist,

Subdue him at his peril.

OTHELLO:

Hold your hands,

Both you of my inclining and the rest:

Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it

Without a prompter.—Where will you that I go

To answer this your charge?

BRABANTIO:

To prison; till fit time

Of law and course of direct session

Call thee to answer.

OTHELLO:

What if I do obey?

How may the duke be therewith satisfied,

Whose messengers are here about my side,

Upon some present business of the state,

To bring me to him?

FIRST OFFICER:

'Tis true, most worthy signior;

The duke's in council, and your noble self,

I am sure, is sent for.

BRABANTIO:

How! the duke in council!

In this time of the night!—Bring him away:

Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,

Or any of my brothers of the state,

Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own;

For if such actions may have passage free,

Bond slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.

[Exeunt.]