SCENE II.

The same. Another Street.

Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants.

Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o'the conscience,9 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.
Oth. 'Tis better as it is.

Iago.
Nay, but he prated,
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
Against your honour,

That, with the little godliness I have,

I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir,
Are you fast married? for, be sure 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 restrainst and grievance
The law (with all his might, to enforce it on,)
Will give him cable.

Oth.
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 honour,
I shall promulgate,) I fetch my life and being

9 stuff o'the conscience,] This expression to common readers appears harsh. Stuff of the conscience is, substance or essence of the conscience. Stuff is a word of great force in the Teutonick languages. The elements are called in Dutch, hoefd stoffen, or head stuffs.

JOHNSON.

1- the magnifico-] "The chief men of Venice are by a peculiar name called magnifici, i. e. magnificoes.”

From men of royal siege2; and my demerits3
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 unhoused3 free condition
Put into circumscription and confine

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

Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers with

Torches.

Iago. These are the raised father, and his friends: You were best

Oth.

go in.

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.

Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. The goodness of the night upon you, friends!

What is the news?

Cas.

And he requires your haste-post-haste+ appearance,
Even on the instant.

Oth.

The duke does greet you, general;

What is the matter, think you?

Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine;

2- men of royal siege;] Men who have sat upon royal thrones. Siege is used for seat by other authors.

3

and my demerits] Demerits has the same meaning in our author, and many others of that age, as merits.

• May speak, unbonneted,] Mr. Fuseli (and who is better acquainted with the sense and spirit of our author?) explains this contested passage as follows:

“I am his equal or superior in rank; and were it not so, such are my demerits, that, unbonneted, without the addition of patrician or senatorial dignity, they may speak to as proud a fortune, &c.

5

unhoused-] Free from domestick cares. A thought natural to an adventurer.

It is a business of some heat: the gallies
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.

Oth.

6

'Tis well I am found by you.

I will but spend a word here in the house,

And go with you.

Cas.

[Exit.

Ancient, what makes he here?

Iago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack;7

If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.

Cas. I do not understand.

Iago.
Cas.

He's married.

To who?

Re-enter ОTHELLO.

Iago. Marry, to- Come, captain, will you go
Oth.

go? Have with you.

Cas. Here comes another troop to seek for you.

Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with Torches and Weapons.

Iago. It is Brabantio: - general, be advis'd; "

He comes to bad intent.

Oth.

Hola! stand there!

Rod. Signior, it is the Moor.

Bra.

Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides.

• three several quests,] Quests are, on this occasion, searches. a land carack;] A carack is a ship of great bulk, and commonly of great value; perhaps what we now call a galleon. 8 be advis'd;] That is, be cool; be cautious; be discreet.

Iago. 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?

Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her:
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magick 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,9
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 waken motion: - I'll have it 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.

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 you that I go
To answer this your charge?

Bra.

To prison: till fit time

9 The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,] Curled is elegantly and ostentatiously dressed.

1

Of such a thing as thou; to fear, not to delight.] To fear, in the present instance, may mean— to terrify.

2 That waken motion] Excite desires.

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,
Upon some present business of the state,
To bring me to him?

Off

'Tis true, most worthy signior,

The duke's in council; and your noble self,
I am sure, is sent for.

Bra.

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 pagans3, shall our statesmen be.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

The same. 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.
Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty.

2 Sen.

And mine, two hundred :

But though they jump not on a just account,

3 Bond-slaves and pagans,] i. e. if this Moor is now suffered to escape with impunity, it will be such an encouragement to his black countrymen, that we may expect to see all the first offices of our state filled up by the pagans and bond-slaves of Africa.

4 There is no composition] for consistency, concordancy.