But altogether lacks the abilities

That Rhodes is dress'd in ;-if we make thought of

this,

We must not think the Turk is so unskilful,
To leave that latest which concerns him first;
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain,

To wake and wage a danger profitless.

Duke. Nay, in all confidence, he 's not for Rhodes.

Off. Here is more news.

Enter MESSENGER.

Mes. 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?

Mes. Of thirty sail; and now do they restem Their backward course, bearing with frank appear.

ance

Their purposes toward 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 Lucchesé, 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.

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 raised me from my bed; nor doth the general

care

Take hold on me for my particular grief
Is of so floodgate and o'erbearing nature,
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows,
And it is still itself.

Duke.

Why, what's the matter? Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter!

Sen.

Bra.

Dead?

Ay, to me

She is abused, stolen 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-

1 Without.

Duke. Whoe'er he be, that in this foul pro

ceeding,

Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself,

And

you of her ;-the bloody book of law

You shall yourself read in the bitter letter,

After your own sense; yea, though our proper son
Stood in your action.1

Bra.
Humbly I thank your grace.
Here is the man, this Moor; whom now,

Your special mandate, for the state affairs,
Hath hither brought.

it seems,

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 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,

And little bless'd with the set phrase of

peace; For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith, Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used Their dearest action 2 in the tented field;

1

And little of this great world can I speak

Charge, accusation.

2 Best exertion.

More than pertains to feats of broil and battle,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause,

In speaking for myself: yet, by your gracious patience,

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 charged 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,
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 conjured to this effect,

He wrought upon her.

Duke.
To vouch this is no proof,
Without more certain and more overt test,1
Than these thin habits, and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming, do prefer against him.
1 Sen. But, Othello, speak ;-

2

› Open proof.

2 Of weak show.

Did you by indirect and forced courses

Subdue and poison this young maid's affections?
Or came it by request, and such fair question

As soul to soul affordeth?

Oth.

I do beseech you,

Send for the lady to the Sagittary,

And let her speak of me before her father:

If you do find me foul in her report ;

The trust, the office I do hold of you,

Not only take away, but let your sentence
Even fall upon my life.

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

I do confess the vices of my blood,

So justly to your grave ears I'll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady's love,
And she in mine.

Duke. Say it, Othello.

Oth. Her father loved me; oft invited me;
Still question'd me the story of my life,

From year to year; the battles, sieges, fortunes,
That I have pass'd.

I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
To the very moment that he bade me tell it:
Wherein I spoke of most disastrous chances,
Of moving accidents, by flood and field;

Of hair-breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach;

Of being taken by the insolent foe,