Rod. Tush! never tell me; I take it much unkindly 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. Iago. Despise me, if I do not. Three great ones of the city, In personal suit to make me his lieutenant, Off-capp'd to him: and, by the faith of man, I know my price, I am worth no worse a place: Nonsuits my mediators; for, "Certes," says he, " 10 And what was he? Forsooth, a great arithmetician, One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, And I-God bless the mark!-his Moorship's ancient. 20 30 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. I follow him to serve my turn upon him: For nought but provender, and when he's old, cashier'd: And, throwing but shows of service on their lords, 40 50 Do well thrive by them and when they have lined their coats Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; It is as sure as you are Roderigo, Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago: In following him, I follow but myself; Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, 60 For when my outward action doth demonstrate In compliment extern, 'tis not long after Iago. Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. Rod. What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, ho! 70 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. 80 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; Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise; Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you: 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 have charged thee not to haunt about my doors: My daughter is not for thee; and now, in madness, To start my quiet. 90 100 Rod. Sir, sir, sir, Bra. But thou must needs be sure My spirit and my place have in them power To make this bitter to thee. Rod. Patience, good sir. Bra. What tell'st thou me of robbing? this is Venice; My house is not a grange. Rod. Iago. 'Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you'll have your nephews neigh to you; you'll have coursers for cousins and gennets for germans. Bra. What profane wretch art thou? Iago. I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. Bra. Thou art a villain. Iago. You are a senator. 119 Bra. This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Roderigo. Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But, I beseech you, If't be your pleasure and most wise consent, As partly I find it is, that your fair daughter, At this odd-even and dull watch o' the night, Transported, with no worse nor better guard But with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor,If this be known to you and your allowance, We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs; But if you know not this, my manners tell me We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe That, from the sense of all civility, I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: I say again, hath made a gross revolt; Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes In an extravagant and wheeling stranger Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself: Let loose on me the justice of the state For thus deluding you. Bra. 130 140 [Exit above. Iago. Which even now stand in act, that, for their souls, To lead their business: in which regard, I must show out a flag and sign of love, 150 Which is indeed but sign. That you shall surely find him, Lead to the Sagittary the raised search; And there will I be with him. So, farewell. [Exit. 160 Enter, below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with torches. Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is; With the Moor, say'st thou? Who would be a father! Bra. O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood! Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters' minds Rod. Yes, sir, I have indeed. 170 Bra. Call up my brother. O, would you had had her! Some one way, some another. Do you know Where we may apprehend her and the Moor? Rod. I think I can discover him, if you please Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call; To get good guard and go along with me. I may command at most. Get weapons, ho! 180 On, good Roderigo: I'll deserve your pains. [Exeunt. |