lieutenant. Oth. The servants of the duke, and my Cas. The duke does greet you, general ; And he requires your haste, post-haste appearance, Even on the instant. Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; When, being not at your lodging to be found, Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you. I will but spend a word here in the house, And go with Cas. you. [Exit. Ancient, what makes he here? Iago. He hath to-night boarded a land carack'; If it prove lawful prize, he 's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand. Iago. Cas. He's married, To who? Re-enter OTHELLO.. Iago. Marry, to Come, captain, will you go? Oth. Have with you. Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you. Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with Torches and Weapons. Jago. It is Brabantio:- general, be advis'd; He comes to bad intent. A rich vessel. Oth. Hola! stand there! Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. Bra. Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides. Jago. You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you. Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good signior, you shall more command with years, Than with your weapons. Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? Wretch that thou art, thou hast enchanted her : I therefore apprehend and do attach thee, Oth. 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 To answer this your charge? Bra. that I you go. To prison till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Call thee to answer. Oth. What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; Whose messengers are here about my side, Off. 1 'Tis true, most worthy signior, The duke's in council; and your noble self, Bra. How! the duke in council! In this time of the night! Bring him away: Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself, Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own: [Exit. SCENE III. A Council Chamber. The Duke, and Senators, sitting at a Table; Officers attending. Duke. There is no composition' in these news, That gives them credit. 1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies. 8 2 Sen. And mine, two hundred : 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 confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus. 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 gallies. Duke. Now? the business? Sailor. The Turkish preparation makes for So was I bid report here to the state, Duke. How say you by this change? This cannot be, By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant, To keep us in false gaze: When we consider And let ourselves again but understand, That, as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes, That Rhodes is dress'd in:- if we make thought of this, We must not think, the Turk is so unskilful, To wake, and wage, a danger profitless. Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he 's not for Rhodes. Off. Here is more news. 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. Of thirty sail: and now do they re-stem ? Easy dispute. 1 State of defence. 2. Combat. Their backward course, bearing with frank appear ance Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano, thus, Duke. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus. Marcus Lucchesé, is he not in town? 1 Sen. He's now in Florence. Duke. Write from us; wish him post post-haste: despatch. Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers. Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman. I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior; [To BRABANTIO We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. Bra. So did I yours: Good your grace, pardon 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? Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter! 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, |