Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought. - How many, as you guess? Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance Duke. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus. He's now in Florence. Duke. Write from us to him: post, post-haste dispatch. 1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Moor. 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; We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night. [TO BRABANTIO. Bra. So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me; Neither my place, nor aught I heard of business, Duke. Why, what's the matter? Sen. Bra. She is abus'd, stol'n from me, and corrupted Dead? Ay, to me; By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks; (Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense) Duke. Whoe'er he be that, in this foul proceeding, Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself, And you of her, the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter, After its own sense; yea, though our proper son Stood in your action. 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. Duke and Sen. We are very sorry for it. Duke. What, in your own part, can you say to this? Bra. Nothing, but this is so. [TO OTHELLO. Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approv'd good masters, That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter, It is most true; true, I have married her : Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech, And little of this great world can I speak, More than pertains to feats of broil and battle; In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience, Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, (For such proceeding I am charg'd withal) I won his daughter. Bra. A maiden never bold; Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion Blush'd at herself; and she, in spite of nature, To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on? Why this should be. I, therefore, vouch again, He wrought upon her. Duke. To vouch this is no proof: Did you by indirect and forced courses Subdue and poison this young maid's affections; Oth. I do beseech you, Duke. Oth. Fetch Desdemona hither. Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place. [Exeunt IAGO and Attendants. And, till she come, as truly as to heaven I do confess the vices of my blood, Duke. Say it, Othello, Her father lov'd me; oft invited me; From year to year; the battles, sieges, fortunes, That I have pass'd. I ran it through, even from my boyish days, Of hair-breadth scapes i' th' imminent deadly breach; And sold to slavery; of my redemption thence, Wherein of antres vast, and deserts idle, Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch heaven, It was my hint to speak, such was the process; And of the Cannibals that each other eat, But still the house affairs would draw her thence; And often did beguile her of her tears, She swore, - in faith, 't was strange, 't was passing strange; 'Twas pitiful, 't was wondrous pitiful : She wish'd she had not heard it; yet she wish'd That heaven had made her such a man: she thank'd me; I should but teach him how to tell my story, And I lov'd her, that she did pity them. Here comes the lady; let her witness it. Enter DESDEMONA, IAGO, and Attendants. Duke. I think, this tale would win my daughter too. Good Brabantio, Take up this mangled matter at the best: Men do their broken weapons Than their bare hands. Bra. rather use I pray you, hear her speak: If she confess that she was half the wooer, Des. I do perceive here a divided duty. My noble father, To you, I am bound for life, and education: I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband; Bra. I here do give thee that with all my heart, I have done. Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart I would keep from thee. For your sake, jewel, I am glad at soul I have no other child, For thy escape would teach me tyranny, To hang clogs on them. I have done, my lord. Duke. Let me speak like yourself; and lay a sentence, |