Off 'Tis true, most worthy signior, The duke's in council; and your noble self, I am sure, is sent for. Bra. Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own: [Exeunt SCENE III.-The same. A council-chamber. The Duke, and Senators, sitting at a table; Of ficers attending. Duke. There is no composition2 in these news, That gives them credit. 1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven galleys. Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty. 2 Sen. And mine, two hundred But though they jump not on a just account (As in these cases, where the aim3 reports, 'Tis oft with difference,) yet do they all confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyr us. Duke. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment; 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 ho! Enter an Officer, with a Sailor. Off. A messenger from the galleys. Duke. Now? the business? 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? (1) The pagans and bond-slaves of Africa. (2) Consistency. (3) Conjecture. 1 Sen. This cannot be, By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant, To keep us in false gaze: When we consider That Rhodes is dress'd in:-if we make thought of this, We must not think, the Turk is so unskilful, Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. Enter a Messenger. Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, Have there injointed them with an after-fleet. 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought :-How many, as you guess? Mess. f thirty sail: and now do they re-stem Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance Their purposes towards Cyprus.-Signior Montano, Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, And prays you to believe him. Duke. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus. Marcus Lucchese, is he not in town? 1 Sen. He's now in Florence. Duke. Write from us; wish him post-post-haste: despatch. 1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Moor. (1) Easy dispute. (2) State of defence. (3) Combat. Enter Brabantio, Othello, Iago, Roderigo, and Officers. Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman. me; Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business, Hath rais'd me from my bed; nor doth the general care Take hold on me; for my particular grief Duke. Why, what's the matter? Sen. Bra. Dead? Ay, to me; She is abus'd, stol'n from me and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks: 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 pro- Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, After your own sense; yea, though our proper son Bra. Humbly I thank your grace. Here is the man, this Moor; whom now, it seems, Your special mandate, for the state affairs, Hath hither brought. (1) Without. (2) Accusation Duke & Sen. We are very sorry for it. Duke. What, in your own part, can you say to [To Othello. this? 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, I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, What conjuration, and what mighty magic (For such proceeding I am charg'd withal,) I won his daughter with. Bra. 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 judgment 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 conjur'd to this effect, He wrought upon her. (1) Best exertion. Duke. To vouch this, is no proof; Did you by indirect and forced courses Oth. And let her speak of me before her father: The trust, the office, I do hold of you, Duke. Fetch Desdemona hither. Oth. Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place. [Exeunt Iago and Attendants. And, till she come, as truly as to heaven Duke. Say it, Othello. Oth. Her father lov'd me; oft invited me; Still question'd me the story of my life, From year to year; the battles, sieges, fortunes, I ran it through, even from my boyish days, Of hair-breadth 'scapes i'the imminent deadly breach; Of being taken by the insolent foe, And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence, (1) Open proof. (2) Weak show. (3) The sign of the fictitious creature so called. |