Rod. I think, I can discover him; if you please To get good guard, and go along with me. Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call; I may command at most;-Get weapons, ho! And raise some special officers of night.On, good Roderigo;-I'll deserve your pains. [Exeunt. Enter OTHELLO, IAGO, and Attendants. Iago. Though in the trade of war I have slain men, Yet do I hold it very stuff o'the conscience,9 To do no contriv'd murder; I lack iniquity Sometimes, to do me service: Nine or ten times I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs. Oth. "Tis better as it is. Iago. Nay, but he prated, And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your honour, That, with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him. But, I pray, sir, 9 stuff o'the conscience,] This expression to common readers appears harsh. Stuff of the conscience is, substance or essence of the conscience. Stuff is a word of great force in the Teutonick languages. The elements are called in Dutch, Hoefd stoffen, or head stuffs. JOHNSON. the magnifico-] "The chief men of Venice are by a peculiar name called Magnifici, i. e, magnificoes.” The law (with all his might, to enforce it on,) 4 I would not my unhoused3 free condition For the sea's worth. But, look! what lights come yonder? Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Officers with Torches. Iago. These are the raised father, and his friends: You were best go in. Oth. Not I: I must be found; My parts, my title, and my perfect soul, 2 lago. By Janus, I think no. Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lieutenant. men of royal siege;] Men who have sat upon royal thrones. Siege is used for seat by other authors. 3 and my demerits-] Demerits has the same meaning in our author, and many others of that age, as merits. * May speak, unbonneted,] Mr. Fuseli (and who is better acquainted with the sense and spirit of our author?) explains this contested passage as follows: "I am his equal or superior in rank; and were it not so, such are my demerits, that, unbonneted, without the addition of patrician or senatorial dignity, they may speak to as proud a fortune, &c. 5 unhoused-] Free from domestick cares. A thought natural to an adventurer. The goodness of the night upon you, friends! What is the news? Cas. The duke does greet you, general; And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant. Oth. What is the matter, think you? Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may divine; When, being not at your lodging to be found, 6 Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you. And go with you. Cas. [Exit. Ancient, what makes he here? Iago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack ;7 If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever. Cas. I do not understand. Iago. He's married. To who? Re-enter OTHELLO. Iago. Marry, to-Come, captain, will you go? Have with you. Oth. three several quests,] Quests are, on this occasion, searches. 7 - a land carack;] A carack is a ship of great bulk, and commonly of great value; perhaps what we now call a galleon. Enter BRABANTIO, RODERIGO, and Officers of night, with Torches and Weapons. Iago. It is Brabantio:-general, be advis'd;" He comes to bad intent. Oth. Rod. Signior, it is the Moor. Bra. Hola! stand there! Down with him, thief! [They draw on both sides. lago. You, Roderigo! come, sir, I am for you. Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good signior, you shall more command with years, Than with your weapons. Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her: I therefore apprehend and do attach thee, 8 be advis'd;] That is, be cool; be cautious; be discreet. The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,] Curled is elegantly and ostentatiously dressed. I Of such a thing as thou; to fear, not to delight.] To fear, in the present instance, may mean-to terrify. 2 That waken motion:] Excite desires. For an abuser of the world, a practiser Oth. Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it Without a prompter.-Where will To answer this your charge? Bra. you that I go To prison: till fit time Of law, and course of direct session, Oth. What if I do obey? How may the duke be therewith satisfied; Off 'Tis true, most worthy signior, The duke's in council; and your noble self, How! the duke in council! Bra. Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their own: 3 Bond-slaves and pagans,] i. e. if this Moor is now suffered to escape with impunity, it will be such an encouragement to his black countrymen, that we may expect to see all the first offices of our state filled up by the pagans and bond-slaves of Africa. |