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No Fear Translations
No Fear Audio
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Modern Text |
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Enter DUKE , SENATORS , and OFFICERS
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Enter DUKE , SENATORS , and OFFICERS
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DUKE There’s no composition in this news
That gives them credit.
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DUKE There’s no composition in this news
That gives them credit.
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FIRST SENATOR Indeed, they are disproportioned.
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
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FIRST SENATOR Indeed, they are disproportioned.
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
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DUKE 5 And mine a hundred and forty.
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DUKE And mine a hundred and forty.
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SECOND SENATOR 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.
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SECOND SENATOR 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.
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DUKE 10 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.
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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.
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SAILOR (within) What, ho, what, ho, what, ho!
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SAILOR (within) What, ho, what, ho, what, ho!
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OFFICER 15 A messenger from the galleys.
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OFFICER A messenger from the galleys.
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Enter SAILOR
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Enter SAILOR
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DUKE Now, what’s the business?
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DUKE Now, what’s the business?
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SAILOR The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes,
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.
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SAILOR The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes,
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.
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DUKE 20 How say you by this change?
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DUKE How say you by this change?
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FIRST SENATOR This cannot be,
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
25 That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace
But altogether lacks th' abilities
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this
30 We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
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FIRST SENATOR This cannot be,
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace
But altogether lacks th' abilities
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this
We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
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DUKE Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.
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DUKE Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.
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OFFICER 35 Here is more news.
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OFFICER Here is more news.
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Enter a MESSENGER
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Enter a MESSENGER
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MESSENGER The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
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MESSENGER The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
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FIRST SENATOR Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
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FIRST SENATOR Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
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MESSENGER 40 Of thirty sail. And now they do re-stem
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
With his free duty recommends you thus,
45 And prays you to believe him.
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MESSENGER Of thirty sail. And now they do re-stem
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
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.
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DUKE 'Tis certain then for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
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DUKE 'Tis certain then for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
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FIRST SENATOR He’s now in Florence.
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FIRST SENATOR He’s now in Florence.
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DUKE Write from us to him. Post-post-haste, dispatch.
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DUKE Write from us to him. Post-post-haste, dispatch.
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FIRST SENATOR Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
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FIRST SENATOR Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
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Enter BRABANTIO , OTHELLO , CASSIO , IAGO , RODERIGO , and officers
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Enter BRABANTIO , OTHELLO , CASSIO , IAGO , RODERIGO , and officers
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DUKE 50 Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman—
(to BRABANTIO) I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signior.
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
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DUKE Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman—
(to BRABANTIO) I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signior.
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
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BRABANTIO So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me.
55 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 flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
60 And it is still itself.
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BRABANTIO 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 flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
And it is still itself.
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DUKE Why, what’s the matter?
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DUKE Why, what’s the matter?
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BRABANTIO My daughter! Oh, my daughter!
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BRABANTIO My daughter! Oh, my daughter!
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ALL Dead?
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ALL Dead?
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BRABANTIO Ay, to me.
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.
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BRABANTIO Ay, to me.
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.
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65 For nature so prepost'rously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not.
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For nature so prepost'rously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not.
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DUKE Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself
70 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.
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DUKE Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
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.
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BRABANTIO Humbly I thank your grace.
Here is the man, this Moor, whom now it seems,
75 Your special mandate for the state affairs
Hath hither brought.
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BRABANTIO 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.
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ALL We are very sorry for’t.
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ALL We are very sorry for’t.
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DUKE (to OTHELLO)What, in your own part, can you say to this?
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DUKE (to OTHELLO)What, in your own part, can you say to this?
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BRABANTIO Nothing, but this is so.
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BRABANTIO Nothing, but this is so.
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OTHELLO Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
80 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,
85 And little blessed with the soft 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 in the tented field,
And little of this great world can I speak,
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OTHELLO 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 blessed with the soft 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 in the tented field,
And little of this great world can I speak,
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90 More than pertains to feats of broils and battle,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
Of my whole course of love. What drugs, what charms,
95 What conjuration and what mighty magic—
For such proceeding I am charged withal—
I won his daughter.
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More than pertains to feats of broils and battle,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnished 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.
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BRABANTIO A maiden never bold,
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
Blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature,
100 Of years, of country, credit, everything,
To fall in love with what she feared to look on?
It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect
That will confess perfection so could err.
Against all rules of nature, and must be driven
105 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.
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BRABANTIO A maiden never bold,
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
Blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature,
Of years, of country, credit, everything,
To fall in love with what she feared to look on?
It is a judgment maimed 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.
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DUKE To vouch this is no proof,
110 Without more wider and more overt test
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
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DUKE To vouch this is no proof,
Without more wider and more overt test
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
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FIRST SENATOR But, Othello, speak.
Did you by indirect and forcèd courses
115 Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?
Or came it by request and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
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FIRST SENATOR But, Othello, speak.
Did you by indirect and forcèd courses
Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?
Or came it by request and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
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OTHELLO I do beseech you,
Send for the lady to the Sagittary,
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OTHELLO I do beseech you,
Send for the lady to the Sagittary,
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And let her speak of me before her father.
120 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.
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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.
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DUKE Fetch Desdemona hither.
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DUKE Fetch Desdemona hither.
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OTHELLO Ancient, conduct them. You best know the place.
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OTHELLO Ancient, conduct them. You best know the place.
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Exeunt IAGO and attendants
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Exeunt IAGO and attendants
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125 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.
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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.
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DUKE Say it, Othello.
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DUKE Say it, Othello.
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OTHELLO 130 Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,
That I have passed.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
135 To th' 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' th' imminent deadly breach,
Of being taken by the insolent foe
140 And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence
And portance in my traveler’s history.
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch heaven
It was my hint to speak—such was my process—
145 And of the Cannibals that each others eat,
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OTHELLO Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,
That I have passed.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
To th' 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' th' imminent deadly breach,
Of being taken by the insolent foe
And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence
And portance in my traveler’s history.
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch heaven
It was my hint to speak—such was my process—
And of the Cannibals that each others eat,
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The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads
Grew beneath their shoulders. These things to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline.
But still the house affairs would draw her hence,
150 Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She’d come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse, which I, observing,
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
155 That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels she had something heard
But not intentively. I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
160 That my youth suffered. My story being done
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange,
'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
165 That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story
And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
170 And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
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The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads
Grew beneath their shoulders. These things to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline.
But still the house affairs would draw her hence,
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She’d come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse, which I, observing,
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels she had something heard
But not intentively. I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
That my youth suffered. My story being done
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange,
'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story
And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
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Enter DESDEMONA , IAGO , and attendants
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Enter DESDEMONA , IAGO , and attendants
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DUKE I think this tale would win my daughter too.
Good Brabantio. Take up this mangled matter at the best.
175 Men do their broken weapons rather use
Than their bare hands.
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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 rather use
Than their bare hands.
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BRABANTIO I pray you, hear her speak.
If she confess that she was half the wooer,
Destruction on my head if my bad blame
Light on the man.—Come hither, gentle mistress.
180 Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?
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BRABANTIO I pray you, hear her speak.
If she confess that she was half the wooer,
Destruction on my head if my bad blame
Light on the man.—Come hither, gentle mistress.
Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?
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DESDEMONA My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty.
To you I am bound for life and education.
My life and education both do learn me
185 How to respect you. You are the lord of duty.
I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband.
And so much duty as my mother showed
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
190 Due to the Moor my lord.
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DESDEMONA My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty.
To you I am bound for life and education.
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you. You are the lord of duty.
I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband.
And so much duty as my mother showed
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord.
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BRABANTIO God be with you. I have done.
Please it your grace, on to the state affairs.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.—
Come hither, Moor.
I here do give thee that with all my heart
195 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.
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BRABANTIO God be with you. I have done.
Please it your grace, on to the state affairs.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.—
Come hither, Moor.
I here do give thee that with all my heart
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.
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DUKE 200 Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence
Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers.
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
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DUKE Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence
Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers.
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
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To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
205 Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
Patience her injury a mock'ry makes.
The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief,
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
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To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
Patience her injury a mock'ry makes.
The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief,
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
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BRABANTIO 210 So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,
We lose it not, so long as we can smile.
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
But the free comfort which from thence he hears.
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
215 That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
These sentences to sugar or to gall,
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
But words are words. I never yet did hear
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
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BRABANTIO So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,
We lose it not, so long as we can smile.
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
But the free comfort which from thence he hears.
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
These sentences to sugar or to gall,
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
But words are words. I never yet did hear
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
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DUKE The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you, and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you. You must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boist'rous expedition.
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DUKE The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you, and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you. You must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boist'rous expedition.
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OTHELLO The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
225 A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardness, and do undertake
These present wars against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
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OTHELLO The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardness, and do undertake
These present wars against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
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I crave fit disposition for my wife.
230 Due reference of place and exhibition,
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
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I crave fit disposition for my wife.
Due reference of place and exhibition,
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
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DUKE Why, at her father’s.
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DUKE Why, at her father’s.
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BRABANTIO I’ll not have it so.
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BRABANTIO I’ll not have it so.
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OTHELLO 235 Nor I.
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OTHELLO Nor I.
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DESDEMONA Nor would I there reside,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke,
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
240 And let me find a charter in your voice,
T' assist my simpleness.
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DESDEMONA Nor would I there reside,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke,
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
And let me find a charter in your voice,
T' assist my simpleness.
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DUKE What would you, Desdemona?
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DUKE What would you, Desdemona?
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DESDEMONA That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
245 May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord.
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
250 So that, dear lords, if I be left behind
A moth of peace and he go to the war,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.
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DESDEMONA That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord.
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
So that, dear lords, if I be left behind
A moth of peace and he go to the war,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.
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OTHELLO 255 Let her have your voice.
Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not
To please the palate of my appetite,
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OTHELLO Let her have your voice.
Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not
To please the palate of my appetite,
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Nor to comply with heat the young affects
In my defunct and proper satisfaction,
260 But to be free and bounteous to her mind,
And heaven defend your good souls, that you think
I will your serious and great business scant
When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys
Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness
265 My speculative and officed instrument,
That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation.
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Nor to comply with heat the young affects
In my defunct and proper satisfaction,
But to be free and bounteous to her mind,
And heaven defend your good souls, that you think
I will your serious and great business scant
When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys
Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness
My speculative and officed instrument,
That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation.
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DUKE 270 Be it as you shall privately determine,
Either for her stay or going. Th' affair cries haste
And speed must answer it.
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DUKE Be it as you shall privately determine,
Either for her stay or going. Th' affair cries haste
And speed must answer it.
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FIRST SENATOR You must away tonight.
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FIRST SENATOR You must away tonight.
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OTHELLO With all my heart.
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OTHELLO With all my heart.
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DUKE At nine i' th' morning here we’ll meet again.
275 Othello, leave some officer behind
And he shall our commission bring to you,
And such things else of quality and respect
As doth import you.
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DUKE At nine i' th' morning here we’ll meet again.
Othello, leave some officer behind
And he shall our commission bring to you,
And such things else of quality and respect
As doth import you.
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OTHELLO So please your grace, my ancient.
A man he is of honesty and trust.
280 To his conveyance I assign my wife,
With what else needful your good grace shall think
To be sent after me.
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OTHELLO So please your grace, my ancient.
A man he is of honesty and trust.
To his conveyance I assign my wife,
With what else needful your good grace shall think
To be sent after me.
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DUKE Let it be so.
Good night to every one.—(to BRABANTIO)
And, noble signior,
285 If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
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DUKE Let it be so.
Good night to every one.—(to BRABANTIO)
And, noble signior,
If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
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FIRST SENATOR Adieu, brave Moor. Use Desdemona well.
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FIRST SENATOR Adieu, brave Moor. Use Desdemona well.
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BRABANTIO Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
She has deceived her father, and may thee.
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BRABANTIO Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
She has deceived her father, and may thee.
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Exeunt DUKE , BRABANTIO , CASSIO , SENATORS , and officers
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Exeunt DUKE , BRABANTIO , CASSIO , SENATORS , and officers
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OTHELLO 290 My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee.
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her,
And bring them after in the best advantage.
Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour
295 Of love, of worldly matter and direction,
To spend with thee. We must obey the time.
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OTHELLO My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee.
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her,
And bring them after in the best advantage.
Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour
Of love, of worldly matter and direction,
To spend with thee. We must obey the time.
|
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Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA
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Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA
|
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RODERIGO Iago.
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RODERIGO Iago.
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IAGO What say’st thou, noble heart?
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IAGO What say’st thou, noble heart?
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RODERIGO What will I do, think’st thou?
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RODERIGO What will I do, think’st thou?
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IAGO 300 Why, go to bed, and sleep.
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IAGO Why, go to bed, and sleep.
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RODERIGO I will incontinently drown myself.
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RODERIGO I will incontinently drown myself.
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IAGO If thou dost I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman!
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IAGO If thou dost I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman!
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RODERIGO It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
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RODERIGO It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
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IAGO Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.
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IAGO Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.
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RODERIGO |
RODERIGO |
|
IAGO Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many—either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry—why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts. Whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion.
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IAGO Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many—either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry—why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts. Whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion.
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RODERIGO It cannot be.
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RODERIGO It cannot be.
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IAGO It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness.
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IAGO It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness.
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I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself! 'Tis clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.
|
I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself! 'Tis clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.
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RODERIGO 310 Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?
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RODERIGO Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?
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IAGO Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse, go, provide thy money. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.
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IAGO Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse, go, provide thy money. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.
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RODERIGO Where shall we meet i' th' morning?
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RODERIGO Where shall we meet i' th' morning?
|
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IAGO At my lodging.
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IAGO At my lodging.
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RODERIGO I’ll be with thee betimes.
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RODERIGO I’ll be with thee betimes.
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IAGO Go to, farewell.
Do you hear, Roderigo?
|
IAGO Go to, farewell.
Do you hear, Roderigo?
|
|
RODERIGO 315 What say you?
|
RODERIGO What say you?
|
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IAGO No more of drowning, do you hear?
|
IAGO No more of drowning, do you hear?
|
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RODERIGO I am changed.
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RODERIGO I am changed.
|
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IAGO Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your purse.
|
IAGO Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your purse.
|
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RODERIGO I’ll sell all my land.
|
RODERIGO I’ll sell all my land.
|
|
Exit
|
Exit
|
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IAGO 320 Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well.
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,
|
IAGO Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well.
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,
|
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330 To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see.
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
335 To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are.
340 I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
|
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see.
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are.
I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
|
|
Exit
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Exit
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Original Text |
Modern Text |
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Enter DUKE , SENATORS , and OFFICERS
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Enter DUKE , SENATORS , and OFFICERS
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|
DUKE There’s no composition in this news
That gives them credit.
|
DUKE There’s no composition in this news
That gives them credit.
|
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FIRST SENATOR Indeed, they are disproportioned.
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
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FIRST SENATOR Indeed, they are disproportioned.
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.
|
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DUKE 5 And mine a hundred and forty.
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DUKE And mine a hundred and forty.
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SECOND SENATOR 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.
|
SECOND SENATOR 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.
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DUKE 10 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.
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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.
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SAILOR (within) What, ho, what, ho, what, ho!
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SAILOR (within) What, ho, what, ho, what, ho!
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OFFICER 15 A messenger from the galleys.
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OFFICER A messenger from the galleys.
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Enter SAILOR
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Enter SAILOR
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DUKE Now, what’s the business?
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DUKE Now, what’s the business?
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SAILOR The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes,
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.
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SAILOR The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes,
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo.
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DUKE 20 How say you by this change?
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DUKE How say you by this change?
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FIRST SENATOR This cannot be,
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
25 That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace
But altogether lacks th' abilities
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this
30 We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
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FIRST SENATOR This cannot be,
By no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze. When we consider
Th' importancy of Cyprus to the Turk,
And let ourselves again but understand
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes
So may he with more facile question bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace
But altogether lacks th' abilities
That Rhodes is dressed in. If we make thought of this
We must not think the Turk is so unskillful
To leave that latest which concerns him first,
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless.
|
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DUKE Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.
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DUKE Nay, in all confidence, he’s not for Rhodes.
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OFFICER 35 Here is more news.
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OFFICER Here is more news.
|
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Enter a MESSENGER
|
Enter a MESSENGER
|
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MESSENGER The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
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MESSENGER The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after fleet.
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FIRST SENATOR Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
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FIRST SENATOR Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess?
|
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MESSENGER 40 Of thirty sail. And now they do re-stem
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano,
Your trusty and most valiant servitor,
With his free duty recommends you thus,
45 And prays you to believe him.
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MESSENGER Of thirty sail. And now they do re-stem
Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance
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.
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DUKE 'Tis certain then for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
|
DUKE 'Tis certain then for Cyprus.
Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?
|
|
FIRST SENATOR He’s now in Florence.
|
FIRST SENATOR He’s now in Florence.
|
|
DUKE Write from us to him. Post-post-haste, dispatch.
|
DUKE Write from us to him. Post-post-haste, dispatch.
|
|
FIRST SENATOR Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
|
FIRST SENATOR Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.
|
|
Enter BRABANTIO , OTHELLO , CASSIO , IAGO , RODERIGO , and officers
|
Enter BRABANTIO , OTHELLO , CASSIO , IAGO , RODERIGO , and officers
|
|
DUKE 50 Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman—
(to BRABANTIO) I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signior.
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
|
DUKE Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman—
(to BRABANTIO) I did not see you. Welcome, gentle signior.
We lacked your counsel and your help tonight.
|
|
BRABANTIO So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me.
55 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 flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
60 And it is still itself.
|
BRABANTIO 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 flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
And it is still itself.
|
|
DUKE Why, what’s the matter?
|
DUKE Why, what’s the matter?
|
|
BRABANTIO My daughter! Oh, my daughter!
|
BRABANTIO My daughter! Oh, my daughter!
|
|
ALL Dead?
|
ALL Dead?
|
|
BRABANTIO Ay, to me.
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.
|
BRABANTIO Ay, to me.
She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.
|
|
65 For nature so prepost'rously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not.
|
For nature so prepost'rously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,
Sans witchcraft could not.
|
|
DUKE Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
Hath thus beguiled your daughter of herself
70 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.
|
DUKE Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
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.
|
|
BRABANTIO Humbly I thank your grace.
Here is the man, this Moor, whom now it seems,
75 Your special mandate for the state affairs
Hath hither brought.
|
BRABANTIO 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.
|
|
ALL We are very sorry for’t.
|
ALL We are very sorry for’t.
|
|
DUKE (to OTHELLO)What, in your own part, can you say to this?
|
DUKE (to OTHELLO)What, in your own part, can you say to this?
|
|
BRABANTIO Nothing, but this is so.
|
BRABANTIO Nothing, but this is so.
|
|
OTHELLO Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
80 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,
85 And little blessed with the soft 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 in the tented field,
And little of this great world can I speak,
|
OTHELLO 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 blessed with the soft 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 in the tented field,
And little of this great world can I speak,
|
|
90 More than pertains to feats of broils and battle,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnished tale deliver
Of my whole course of love. What drugs, what charms,
95 What conjuration and what mighty magic—
For such proceeding I am charged withal—
I won his daughter.
|
More than pertains to feats of broils and battle,
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnished 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.
|
|
BRABANTIO A maiden never bold,
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
Blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature,
100 Of years, of country, credit, everything,
To fall in love with what she feared to look on?
It is a judgment maimed and most imperfect
That will confess perfection so could err.
Against all rules of nature, and must be driven
105 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.
|
BRABANTIO A maiden never bold,
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
Blushed at herself. And she, in spite of nature,
Of years, of country, credit, everything,
To fall in love with what she feared to look on?
It is a judgment maimed 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,
110 Without more wider and more overt test
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
|
DUKE To vouch this is no proof,
Without more wider and more overt test
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.
|
|
FIRST SENATOR But, Othello, speak.
Did you by indirect and forcèd courses
115 Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?
Or came it by request and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
|
FIRST SENATOR But, Othello, speak.
Did you by indirect and forcèd courses
Subdue and poison this young maid’s affections?
Or came it by request and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
|
|
OTHELLO I do beseech you,
Send for the lady to the Sagittary,
|
OTHELLO I do beseech you,
Send for the lady to the Sagittary,
|
|
And let her speak of me before her father.
120 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.
|
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.
|
DUKE Fetch Desdemona hither.
|
|
OTHELLO Ancient, conduct them. You best know the place.
|
OTHELLO Ancient, conduct them. You best know the place.
|
|
Exeunt IAGO and attendants
|
Exeunt IAGO and attendants
|
|
125 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.
|
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.
|
DUKE Say it, Othello.
|
|
OTHELLO 130 Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,
That I have passed.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
135 To th' 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' th' imminent deadly breach,
Of being taken by the insolent foe
140 And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence
And portance in my traveler’s history.
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch heaven
It was my hint to speak—such was my process—
145 And of the Cannibals that each others eat,
|
OTHELLO Her father loved me, oft invited me,
Still questioned me the story of my life
From year to year, the battles, sieges, fortunes,
That I have passed.
I ran it through, even from my boyish days,
To th' 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' th' imminent deadly breach,
Of being taken by the insolent foe
And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence
And portance in my traveler’s history.
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle,
Rough quarries, rocks, hills whose heads touch heaven
It was my hint to speak—such was my process—
And of the Cannibals that each others eat,
|
|
The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads
Grew beneath their shoulders. These things to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline.
But still the house affairs would draw her hence,
150 Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She’d come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse, which I, observing,
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
155 That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels she had something heard
But not intentively. I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
160 That my youth suffered. My story being done
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange,
'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
165 That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story
And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
170 And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
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The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads
Grew beneath their shoulders. These things to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline.
But still the house affairs would draw her hence,
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch,
She’d come again, and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse, which I, observing,
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate,
Whereof by parcels she had something heard
But not intentively. I did consent,
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
That my youth suffered. My story being done
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs.
She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange,
'Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.
She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished
That heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me
And bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,
I should but teach him how to tell my story
And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Here comes the lady. Let her witness it.
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Enter DESDEMONA , IAGO , and attendants
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Enter DESDEMONA , IAGO , and attendants
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DUKE I think this tale would win my daughter too.
Good Brabantio. Take up this mangled matter at the best.
175 Men do their broken weapons rather use
Than their bare hands.
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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 rather use
Than their bare hands.
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BRABANTIO I pray you, hear her speak.
If she confess that she was half the wooer,
Destruction on my head if my bad blame
Light on the man.—Come hither, gentle mistress.
180 Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?
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BRABANTIO I pray you, hear her speak.
If she confess that she was half the wooer,
Destruction on my head if my bad blame
Light on the man.—Come hither, gentle mistress.
Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?
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DESDEMONA My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty.
To you I am bound for life and education.
My life and education both do learn me
185 How to respect you. You are the lord of duty.
I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband.
And so much duty as my mother showed
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
190 Due to the Moor my lord.
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DESDEMONA My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty.
To you I am bound for life and education.
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you. You are the lord of duty.
I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband.
And so much duty as my mother showed
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord.
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BRABANTIO God be with you. I have done.
Please it your grace, on to the state affairs.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.—
Come hither, Moor.
I here do give thee that with all my heart
195 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.
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BRABANTIO God be with you. I have done.
Please it your grace, on to the state affairs.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.—
Come hither, Moor.
I here do give thee that with all my heart
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.
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DUKE 200 Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence
Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers.
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
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DUKE Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence
Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers.
When remedies are past, the griefs are ended
By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.
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To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
205 Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
Patience her injury a mock'ry makes.
The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief,
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
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To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
Is the next way to draw new mischief on.
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes,
Patience her injury a mock'ry makes.
The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief,
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.
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BRABANTIO 210 So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,
We lose it not, so long as we can smile.
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
But the free comfort which from thence he hears.
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
215 That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
These sentences to sugar or to gall,
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
But words are words. I never yet did hear
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
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BRABANTIO So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile,
We lose it not, so long as we can smile.
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
But the free comfort which from thence he hears.
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
That, to pay grief, must of poor patience borrow.
These sentences to sugar or to gall,
Being strong on both sides, are equivocal.
But words are words. I never yet did hear
That the bruised heart was piercèd through the ears.
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DUKE The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you, and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you. You must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boist'rous expedition.
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DUKE The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus. Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you, and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you. You must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boist'rous expedition.
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OTHELLO The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
225 A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardness, and do undertake
These present wars against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
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OTHELLO The tyrant custom, most grave senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down. I do agnize
A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardness, and do undertake
These present wars against the Ottomites.
Most humbly therefore bending to your state,
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I crave fit disposition for my wife.
230 Due reference of place and exhibition,
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
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I crave fit disposition for my wife.
Due reference of place and exhibition,
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding.
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DUKE Why, at her father’s.
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DUKE Why, at her father’s.
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BRABANTIO I’ll not have it so.
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BRABANTIO I’ll not have it so.
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OTHELLO 235 Nor I.
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OTHELLO Nor I.
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DESDEMONA Nor would I there reside,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke,
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
240 And let me find a charter in your voice,
T' assist my simpleness.
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DESDEMONA Nor would I there reside,
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye. Most gracious Duke,
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
And let me find a charter in your voice,
T' assist my simpleness.
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DUKE What would you, Desdemona?
|
DUKE What would you, Desdemona?
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DESDEMONA That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
245 May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord.
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
250 So that, dear lords, if I be left behind
A moth of peace and he go to the war,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.
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DESDEMONA That I did love the Moor to live with him,
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
May trumpet to the world. My heart’s subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord.
I saw Othello’s visage in his mind,
And to his honors and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate.
So that, dear lords, if I be left behind
A moth of peace and he go to the war,
The rites for which I love him are bereft me,
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence. Let me go with him.
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OTHELLO 255 Let her have your voice.
Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not
To please the palate of my appetite,
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OTHELLO Let her have your voice.
Vouch with me, heaven, I therefore beg it not
To please the palate of my appetite,
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Nor to comply with heat the young affects
In my defunct and proper satisfaction,
260 But to be free and bounteous to her mind,
And heaven defend your good souls, that you think
I will your serious and great business scant
When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys
Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness
265 My speculative and officed instrument,
That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation.
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Nor to comply with heat the young affects
In my defunct and proper satisfaction,
But to be free and bounteous to her mind,
And heaven defend your good souls, that you think
I will your serious and great business scant
When she is with me. No, when light-winged toys
Of feathered Cupid seel with wanton dullness
My speculative and officed instrument,
That my disports corrupt and taint my business,
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation.
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DUKE 270 Be it as you shall privately determine,
Either for her stay or going. Th' affair cries haste
And speed must answer it.
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DUKE Be it as you shall privately determine,
Either for her stay or going. Th' affair cries haste
And speed must answer it.
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FIRST SENATOR You must away tonight.
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FIRST SENATOR You must away tonight.
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OTHELLO With all my heart.
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OTHELLO With all my heart.
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DUKE At nine i' th' morning here we’ll meet again.
275 Othello, leave some officer behind
And he shall our commission bring to you,
And such things else of quality and respect
As doth import you.
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DUKE At nine i' th' morning here we’ll meet again.
Othello, leave some officer behind
And he shall our commission bring to you,
And such things else of quality and respect
As doth import you.
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OTHELLO So please your grace, my ancient.
A man he is of honesty and trust.
280 To his conveyance I assign my wife,
With what else needful your good grace shall think
To be sent after me.
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OTHELLO So please your grace, my ancient.
A man he is of honesty and trust.
To his conveyance I assign my wife,
With what else needful your good grace shall think
To be sent after me.
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DUKE Let it be so.
Good night to every one.—(to BRABANTIO)
And, noble signior,
285 If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
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DUKE Let it be so.
Good night to every one.—(to BRABANTIO)
And, noble signior,
If virtue no delighted beauty lack,
Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.
|
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FIRST SENATOR Adieu, brave Moor. Use Desdemona well.
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FIRST SENATOR Adieu, brave Moor. Use Desdemona well.
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BRABANTIO Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
She has deceived her father, and may thee.
|
BRABANTIO Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.
She has deceived her father, and may thee.
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Exeunt DUKE , BRABANTIO , CASSIO , SENATORS , and officers
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Exeunt DUKE , BRABANTIO , CASSIO , SENATORS , and officers
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OTHELLO 290 My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee.
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her,
And bring them after in the best advantage.
Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour
295 Of love, of worldly matter and direction,
To spend with thee. We must obey the time.
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OTHELLO My life upon her faith!—Honest Iago,
My Desdemona must I leave to thee.
I prithee, let thy wife attend on her,
And bring them after in the best advantage.
Come, Desdemona, I have but an hour
Of love, of worldly matter and direction,
To spend with thee. We must obey the time.
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Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA
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Exeunt OTHELLO and DESDEMONA
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RODERIGO Iago.
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RODERIGO Iago.
|
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IAGO What say’st thou, noble heart?
|
IAGO What say’st thou, noble heart?
|
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RODERIGO What will I do, think’st thou?
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RODERIGO What will I do, think’st thou?
|
|
IAGO 300 Why, go to bed, and sleep.
|
IAGO Why, go to bed, and sleep.
|
|
RODERIGO I will incontinently drown myself.
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RODERIGO I will incontinently drown myself.
|
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IAGO If thou dost I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman!
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IAGO If thou dost I shall never love thee after. Why, thou silly gentleman!
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RODERIGO It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
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RODERIGO It is silliness to live when to live is torment, and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician.
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IAGO Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.
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IAGO Oh, villainous! I have looked upon the world for four times seven years, and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man that knew how to love himself. Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.
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RODERIGO |
RODERIGO |
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IAGO Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many—either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry—why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts. Whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion.
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IAGO Virtue? A fig! 'Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many—either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry—why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most prepost'rous conclusions. But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts. Whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion.
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RODERIGO It cannot be.
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RODERIGO It cannot be.
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IAGO It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness.
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IAGO It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies! I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness.
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I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself! 'Tis clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.
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I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse. Follow thou the wars, defeat thy favor with an usurped beard. I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration—put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills—fill thy purse with money. The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth. When she is sated with his body she will find the errors of her choice. Therefore, put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst. If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her. Therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself! 'Tis clean out of the way. Seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her.
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RODERIGO 310 Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?
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RODERIGO Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?
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IAGO Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse, go, provide thy money. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.
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IAGO Thou art sure of me. Go, make money. I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor. My cause is hearted. Thine hath no less reason. Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him. If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered. Traverse, go, provide thy money. We will have more of this tomorrow. Adieu.
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RODERIGO Where shall we meet i' th' morning?
|
RODERIGO Where shall we meet i' th' morning?
|
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IAGO At my lodging.
|
IAGO At my lodging.
|
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RODERIGO I’ll be with thee betimes.
|
RODERIGO I’ll be with thee betimes.
|
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IAGO Go to, farewell.
Do you hear, Roderigo?
|
IAGO Go to, farewell.
Do you hear, Roderigo?
|
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RODERIGO 315 What say you?
|
RODERIGO What say you?
|
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IAGO No more of drowning, do you hear?
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IAGO No more of drowning, do you hear?
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RODERIGO I am changed.
|
RODERIGO I am changed.
|
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IAGO Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your purse.
|
IAGO Go to, farewell. Put money enough in your purse.
|
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RODERIGO I’ll sell all my land.
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RODERIGO I’ll sell all my land.
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Exit
|
Exit
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IAGO 320 Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well.
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,
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IAGO Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor,
And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well.
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio’s a proper man. Let me see now,
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330 To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see.
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
335 To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are.
340 I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
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To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery. How? How? Let’s see.
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are.
I have ’t. It is engendered! Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.
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Exit
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Exit
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