THE STATIONER TO THE READER.* To set forth a book without an epistle were like to the old English proverb, A blue coat without a badge; and the author being dead, I thought good to take that piece of work upon me. To commend it, I will not; for that which is good I hope every man will commend without entreaty; and I am the bolder because the author's name is sufficient to vent his work. Thus leaving every one to the liberty of judgment, I have ventured to print this play, and leave it to the general censure. Yours, THOMAS WALKLEY. * Prefixed to the quarto 1622. DRAMATIS PERSONE. DUKE OF VENICE. BRABANTIO, a senator. Other Senators. GRATIANO, brother to Brabantio. LODOVICO, kinsman to Brabantio. OTHELLO, a noble Moor in the service of the Venetian state. IAGO, his ancient. RODERIGO, a Venetian gentleman. MONTANO, Othello's predecessor in the government of Cyprus. Clown, servant to Othello. DESDEMONA, daughter to Brabantio and wife to Othello. EMILIA, wife to Iago. BIANCA, mistress to Cassio. Sailor, Messenger, Herald, Officers, Gentlemen, Musicians, and Attendants. SCENE-The first act in Venice; during the rest of the play, at a seaport in Cyprus. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. ACT I. SCENE I. Venice. A street. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Never tell me; I take it much unkindly As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this,- If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp'd to him:-and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place :- And, in conclusion, Nonsuits my mediators; for, "Certes, "(2) says he, "I have already chose my officer." And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, |