the Cyprus wars, —Which even now stand in act, – that, for their souls,
Another of his fathom they have none
To lead their business: in which regard,
Though I do hate him as I do hell pains,
Yet, for necessity of present life,
I must show out a flag and sign of love,
Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him,
Lead to the Sagittary the raisèd search;
And there will I be with him. So, farewell.
[Exit.]
[Enter, below, Brabantio, and Servants with torches.]
BRABANTIO
It is too true an evil: gone she is;
And what's to come of my despisèd time
Is naught but bitterness. – Now, Roderigo,
Where didst thou see her? – O unhappy girl! —
With the Moor, say'st thou? – Who would be a father!
How didst thou know 'twas she? – O, she deceives me
Past thought. – What said she to you? – Get more tapers;
Raise all my kindred. – Are they married, think you?
RODERIGO
Truly, I think they are.
BRABANTIO
O heaven! – How got she out? – O treason of the blood! —
Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds
By what you see them act. – Are there not charms
By which the property of youth and maidhood
May be abused? Have you not read, Roderigo,
Of some such thing?
RODERIGO
Yes, sir, I have indeed.
BRABANTIO
Call up my brother. – O, would you had had her! —
Some one way, some another. – Do you know
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor?
RODERIGO
I think I can discover him, if you please
To get good guard, and go along with me.
BRABANTIO
Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call;
I may command at most. – Get weapons, ho!
And raise some special officers of night. —
On, good Roderigo: – I'll deserve your pains.
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 contrivèd 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 unhousèd free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yond?
IAGO
Those are the raisèd 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
