DUKE of Venice. Brabantio, a noble Venetian. Gratiano, Brother to Brabantio. Lodovico, Kinfman to Brabantio and Gratiano. Iago, Standard-bearer to Othello. Rodorigo, a foolish Gentleman, in love with Desdemona. Montano,the Moor's Predeceffor in the Government of Cyprus. Clown, Servant to the Moor. Herald. Desdemona, Daughter to Brabantio, and Wife to Othello. Emilia, Wife to Iago. Bianca, a Courtezan, Miftrefs to Caffio. Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Muficians, and Attendants. SCENE for the First At in Venice; during the reft of the Play in Cyprus. The Story is taken from Cynthio's Novels. Pope. OTHELLO, OTHELLO, the Moor of Venice. ACTI. N SCENE I A Street in VENICE. Enter Rodorigo and Iago. RODORIGO. EVER tell me, I take it much unkindly, Iago. But you'll not hear me. If ever I did dream of fuch a matter, Abhor me then.` Rod. Thou told'ft me, thou didst hold Him in thy hate. Iago. Defpife me if I do not. Three great ones of the city, in perfonal fuit 1 Abhor me. E e 4 2 His own pride and purpose, And And what was he? Forfooth a great arithmetician, One Michael Caffio, a Florentine, a 3 A fellow almost damn'd in a fair 3 'phyz ;` b Nor the divifion of a battle knows More than a spinster; but the bookish theorique, As masterly as he; meer prattle, without practice, 4/ And I, God blefs the mark! his Moor-fhip's Ancient. Rod. By heav'n, I rather would have been his hangman. Iago. But there's no remedy, 'tis the curfe of fervice; Preferment goes by letter and affection, And not by old gradation, where each fecond Stood heir to th' firft. Now, Sir, be judge your felf, To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him then. Iago. O Sir, content you; I follow him to ferve my turn upon him. For (a) It is plain from many other paffages in the Play (rightly underfood) that Caflio was a Florentine and lago a Venetian. (5) In all the former editions this hath been printed a fair wife, but furely it muft from the beginning have been a mistake, because it ap fears from a following part in the Play that Caffio was an unmarried man on the other hand his Beauty is often hinted at, which it is natural enough for other rough foldiers to treat with fcorn and ridicule, 3 wife; 4 Debitor, For nought but provender, and when old, 's cafhier'd; It is as fure as you are Rodorigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago: Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe, Iago. Call up her father, Roule him, make after him, poifon his delight. Rod. Here is her father's house, I'll call aloud. Rod. What, ho! Brabantio! Signior Brabantio! ho! 5 the SCENE Enter Brabantio above, at a window. Bra. What is the reafon of this terrible fummons? What is the matter there? Rad. Signior, is all your family within? Iago. Are all doors lock'd? Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this? [your gown, Iago. Zounds! Sir, you're robb'd: for fhame put on Your heart is burst, you have loft half your foul; Ev'n now, ev'n very now, an old black ram wits? your you. Bra. What, have you loft Rod. My name is Rodorigo. Bra. The worfe welcome; my voice? I've charg'd thee not to haunt about my doors: My daughter's not for thee. And now in madness, To start my quiet. Rod. Sir, Sir, Sir, Bra. But thou must needs be fure, My spirit and my place have in their power To make this bitter to thee. 'Rod. Patience, good Sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice: My houfe is not a grange. Rod. Moft grave Brabantio, In fimple and pure foul, I come to you. Iago. Sir, you are not one of those that will not ferve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you fervice, you |