That would upon the rack of this tough world Edg. He is gone indeed. Kent. The wonder is, he hath endur'd so long: He but usurp'd his life. Alb. Bear them from hence. - Our present business Is general woe. — [To Kent and Edgar] Friends of my soul, you twain Rule in this realm, and the gor'd state sustain. Alb. The weight of this sad time we must obey; [Exeunt, with a dead march. OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE. DRAMATIS PERSONA. DUKE OF VENICE. CASSIO, his lieutenant. IAGO, his ancient. RODERIGO, a Venetian gentleman. DESDEMONA, daughter to Brabantio and wife to Othello. EMILIA, wife to Iago. BIANCA, mistress to Cassio. Sailor, Messenger, Herald, Officers, Gentlemen, Musicians, and Attendants. SCENE The first act in Venice; during the rest of the play, at a seaport in Cyprus. ACT I. SCENE 1. Venice. A street. Enter RODERIGO and IAGO. Rod. Tush, never tell me; I take it much unkindly That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this, If ever I did dream of such a matter, Abhor me. Rod. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Nonsuits my mediators; for, "Certes," says he, Forsooth, a great arithmetician, More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, He, in good time, must his lieutenant be, And I God bless the mark! -- his Moorship's ancient. Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. Why, there's no remedy; 'tis the curse of service, Preferment goes by letter and affection, And not by old gradation, where each second Stood heir to the first. Now, sir, be judge yourself, To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him, then. Iago. O, sir, content you; I follow him to serve my turn upon him: Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, For naught but provender; and, when he's old, cashier'd: Do well thrive by them, and, when they've lin'd their coats, For, sir, It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago: Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, Iago. Plague him with flies; though that his joy be joy, Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. Iago. Do; with like timorous accent and dire yell Rod. What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho! Iago. Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! BRABANTIO appears above, at a window. Bra. What is the reason of this terrible summons? What is the matter there? Rod. Signior, is all your family within? Iago. Are your doors lock'd? Bra. Why, wherefore ask you this? Iago. Zounds, sir, you're robb'd; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul; Bra. What, have you lost your wits? Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know my voice? Rod. My name is Roderigo. Bra. The worser welcome: I've charg'd thee not to haunt about my doors: In honest plainness thou hast heard me say My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, To start my quiet; Rod. Sir, sir, sir, Bra. My spirit and my place have in them power But thou must needs be sure Patience, good sir. To make this bitter to thee. Rod. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice; My house is not a grange. |