Reading Help THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO, MOOR OF VENICE
DUKE. And mine, a hundred and forty. `
` 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. `
` DUKE. Nay, it is possible enough to judgement. `
` I do not so secure me in the error, `
` But the main article I do approve `
` In fearful sense. `
` SAILOR. [Within.] What, ho! What, ho! What, ho! `
` FIRST OFFICER. A messenger from the galleys. `
` `
` Enter Sailor. `
` `
` DUKE. Now, what's the business? `
` SAILOR. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes, `
` So was I bid report here to the state `
` By Signior Angelo. `
` DUKE. How say you by this change? `
` FIRST SENATOR. This cannot be, `
` By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant `
` To keep us in false gaze. When we consider `
` The 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 the abilities `
` That Rhodes is dress'd 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. `
` DUKE. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. `
` FIRST OFFICER. Here is more news. `
` `
` Enter a Messenger. `
` `
` MESSENGER. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, `
` Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, `
` Have there injointed them with an after fleet. `
` FIRST SENATOR. Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess? `
` 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. `
` DUKE. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus. `
` Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town? `
` FIRST SENATOR. He's now in Florence. `
` DUKE. Write from us to him, post-post-haste dispatch. `
` FIRST SENATOR. 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. `
` [To Brabantio.] I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior; `
` We lack'd your counsel and your help tonight. `
` 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? `
` BRABANTIO. My daughter! O, my daughter! `
` ALL. Dead? `
` BRABANTIO. Ay, to me. `
` She is abused, stol'n 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. `
` 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, `
` Your special mandate for the state affairs `
` Hath hither brought. `
` ALL. We are very sorry for't. `
` DUKE. [To Othello.] What in your own part can you say to this? `
` BRABANTIO. Nothing, but this is so. `
` 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 blest 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, `
` 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. `
` BRABANTIO. 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, everything- `
` To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! `
` It is judgement 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 `
` Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods `
` Of modern seeming do prefer against him. `
` FIRST SENATOR. But, Othello, speak. `
` 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? `
` OTHELLO. 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. `
` OTHELLO. 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. `
` OTHELLO. 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 spake 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 `
` And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence `
` And portance in my travels' history; `
` Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle, `
` Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch heaven, `
` It was my hint to speak- such was the process- `
` And of the Cannibals that each other eat, `
` The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads `
` Do grow beneath their shoulders. This to hear `
` Would Desdemona seriously incline; `
` But still the house affairs would draw her thence, `
` Which ever as she could with haste dispatch, `
` She'ld 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 suffer'd. 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 wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd `
` That heaven had made her such a man; she thank'd 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 pass'd, `
` 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. `
` `
` Enter Desdemona, Iago, and Attendants. `
` `
` DUKE. I think this tale would win my daughter too. `
` Good Brabantio, `
` Take up this mangled matter at the best: `
` Men do their broken weapons rather use `
` Than their bare hands. `
` BRABANTIO. I pray you, hear her speak. `
` If she confess that she was half the wooer, `
`
` 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. `
` DUKE. Nay, it is possible enough to judgement. `
` I do not so secure me in the error, `
` But the main article I do approve `
` In fearful sense. `
` SAILOR. [Within.] What, ho! What, ho! What, ho! `
` FIRST OFFICER. A messenger from the galleys. `
` `
` Enter Sailor. `
` `
` DUKE. Now, what's the business? `
` SAILOR. The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes, `
` So was I bid report here to the state `
` By Signior Angelo. `
` DUKE. How say you by this change? `
` FIRST SENATOR. This cannot be, `
` By no assay of reason; 'tis a pageant `
` To keep us in false gaze. When we consider `
` The 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 the abilities `
` That Rhodes is dress'd 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. `
` DUKE. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes. `
` FIRST OFFICER. Here is more news. `
` `
` Enter a Messenger. `
` `
` MESSENGER. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, `
` Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, `
` Have there injointed them with an after fleet. `
` FIRST SENATOR. Ay, so I thought. How many, as you guess? `
` 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. `
` DUKE. 'Tis certain then for Cyprus. `
` Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town? `
` FIRST SENATOR. He's now in Florence. `
` DUKE. Write from us to him, post-post-haste dispatch. `
` FIRST SENATOR. 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. `
` [To Brabantio.] I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior; `
` We lack'd your counsel and your help tonight. `
` 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? `
` BRABANTIO. My daughter! O, my daughter! `
` ALL. Dead? `
` BRABANTIO. Ay, to me. `
` She is abused, stol'n 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. `
` 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, `
` Your special mandate for the state affairs `
` Hath hither brought. `
` ALL. We are very sorry for't. `
` DUKE. [To Othello.] What in your own part can you say to this? `
` BRABANTIO. Nothing, but this is so. `
` 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 blest 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, `
` 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. `
` BRABANTIO. 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, everything- `
` To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on! `
` It is judgement 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 `
` Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods `
` Of modern seeming do prefer against him. `
` FIRST SENATOR. But, Othello, speak. `
` 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? `
` OTHELLO. 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. `
` OTHELLO. 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. `
` OTHELLO. 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 spake 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 `
` And sold to slavery, of my redemption thence `
` And portance in my travels' history; `
` Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle, `
` Rough quarries, rocks, and hills whose heads touch heaven, `
` It was my hint to speak- such was the process- `
` And of the Cannibals that each other eat, `
` The Anthropophagi, and men whose heads `
` Do grow beneath their shoulders. This to hear `
` Would Desdemona seriously incline; `
` But still the house affairs would draw her thence, `
` Which ever as she could with haste dispatch, `
` She'ld 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 suffer'd. 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 wish'd she had not heard it, yet she wish'd `
` That heaven had made her such a man; she thank'd 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 pass'd, `
` 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. `
` `
` Enter Desdemona, Iago, and Attendants. `
` `
` DUKE. I think this tale would win my daughter too. `
` Good Brabantio, `
` Take up this mangled matter at the best: `
` Men do their broken weapons rather use `
` Than their bare hands. `
` BRABANTIO. I pray you, hear her speak. `
` If she confess that she was half the wooer, `
`