The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare

I am dead, Horatio:-Wretched queen, a-
dieu!-

You that look pale and tremble at this chance,
That are but mutes or audience to this act,
Had I but time, (as this fell sergeant, death,
Is strict in his arrest,) O, I could tell you,-
But let it be :-Horatio, Í am dead;
Thou liv'st; report me and my cause aright
To the unsatisfied.

Hor. Never believe it;

I am more an antique Roman than a Dane,
Here's yet some liquor left.

[it. Give me the cup; let go; by heaven I'll have O God!-Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall live be⚫ bind me?

Ham. As thou'rt a man,

If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart,
[pain,
Absent thee from felicity awhile,
And in this harsh world draw thy breath, in
To tell my story.-

[March afar off, and Shot within.
What warlike noise is this?
Osr. Young Fortinbras, with conquest come
from Poland,

To the ambassadors of England gives
This warlike volley.

Ham. O, I die, Horatio;

The potent poison quite o'er-crowst my spirit;
I cannot live to hear the news from England:
But I do prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras; he has my dying voice;
So tell him, with the occurrents, more or less,
Which have solicited,§-The rest is silence.
[Dies.
Hor. Now cracks a noble heart;-Good
night, sweet prince;
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!-
Why does the drum come hither?

[March within. Enter FORTINBRAS, the ENGLISH AMBASSADORS,

and others.

Fort. Where is this sight?
Hor. What is it, you would see?

If aught of woe, or wonder, cease your search.
Fort. This quarry|| cries on havoc !¶-0
proud death!

* A sergeant is a sheriff's officer.

+ O'ercomes.

+ Incidents. Heap of dead game.

Incited.

A word of censure when more game was destroyed than was reasonable.

What feast is toward in thine eternal cell,
That thou so many princes, at a shot,
So bloodily hast struck?

1 Amb. The sight is dismal;

And our affairs from England come too late :
The ears are senseless, that should give us
hearing,

To tell him, his commandment is fulfill'd,
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead:
Where should we have our thanks?

Hor. Not from his mouth,*

Had it the ability of life to thank you;
He never gave commandment for their death.
But since, so jumpt upon this bloody question,
You from the Polack‡ wars, and you from
England,

Are here arriv'd; give order, that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view;
And let me speak, to the yet unknowing world,
How these things come about: So shall you
Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts; [hear
Of accidental judgements, casual slaughters;
Of deaths put on by cunning, and forc'd cause;
And, in this upshot, purposes mistook
Fall'n on the inventors' heads: all this can I
Truly deliver.

Fort. Let us haste to hear it,

And call the noblest to the audience.

For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune;
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite

ACT I.

SCENE I-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.

Iago. 'Sblood, but you will not hear me :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,
Oft capp'd to him;-and, by the faith of man,
I know my price, I am worth no worse a place:
But he, as loving his own pride and purposes,
Evades them, with a bombast circumstance,†
Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war;
And, in conclusion, nonsuits

My mediators; for, certes, says he,
I have already chose my officer.

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,

• Saluted. + Circumlocution. + Certainly. For wife some read life, supposing it to allude to the denunciation in the Gospel, "Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you." || Theory.

Wherein the toged consuls can propose As masterly as he: mere prattle, without prac tice, [election: Is all his soldiership. But he, Sir, had the And I,-of whom his eyes had seen the proof, At Rhodes, at Cyprus; and on other grounds Christian and heathen,-must be be-lee'd and calm'd

By debitor and creditor, this counter-caster,† 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.

lago. But there's no remedy; 'tis the curse

of service;

Preferment goes by letter, and affection,
Not by the old gradation, where each second
Stood heir to the first. Now, Sir, be judge
yourself,

Whether I in any just term am affin'd‡
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:
We cannot all be masters, nor all masters
Cannot be truly follow'd. You shall mark
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave,
That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
Wears out his time, much like his master's ass,
For nought but provender; and, when he's
old, cashier'd;
[are,
Whip me such honest knaves: Others there
Who, trimm'd in forms and visages of duty,
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves;

And, throwing but shows of service on their

lords,

Do well thrive by them, and, when they have lin'd their coats,

Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul;

And such a one do I profess myself.
For, Sir,

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,
But seeming so, for my peculiar end:
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.
Rod. What a full fortune does the thick-lips
If he can carry't thus!

[owe,t

Iugo. Call up her father, Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight, Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kins

lago. Do; with like timorous accent, and dire yell,

As when, by night and negligence, the fire
Is spied in populous cities.

Rod. What, ho! Brabantio! signior Brabantio, ho!

Iago. Awake! what, ho! Brabantio! thieves! thieves! thieves! [bags! Look to your house, your daughter, and your Thieves! thieves!

BRABANTIO, above, at a Window.

Bra. What is the reason of this terrible sum[mons?

What is the matter there?

Rod. Signior, is all your family within?
lugo. Are your doors lock'd?
Bra. Why? wherefore ask you this?
Iago. 'Zounds, Sir, you are robb'd; for
shame, put on your gown; [soul;
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your
Even now, very now, an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:
Arise, I say.

Bra. What, have you lost your wits?
Rod. Most reverend signior, do you know

my voice?

Bra. Not I; What are you? Rod. My name is-Roderigo. Bra. The worse welcome:

[doors:

I have charg'd thee, not to haunt about my In honest plainness thou hast heard me say, My daughter is not for thee; and now, in mad

ness,

Being full of supper, and distempering draughts,

Upon malicious bravery, dost thou come
To start my quiet.

Rod. Sir, 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. Most grave Brabantio,

In simple and pure soul I come to you.

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, 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.t

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. lago. You are-a senator.

Bra. This thou shalt answer: I know thee, Roderigo.

Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. But I beseech you,

It't be your pleasure, and most wise consent, (As partly, I find, it is,) that your fair daugh

ter,

At this odd-event and dull watch o'the night,
Transported-with no worse nor better guard,
But with a knave of common hire, a gondo-
lier,§-

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;

{me,

But, if you know not this, my manners tell
We have your wrong rebuke. Do not believe,
That, from the sense of all civility, [ence:
I thus would play and trifle with your rever-
Your daughter,-if you have not given her
leave,-

I say again, hath made a gross revolt;
Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes,
Of here and every where: Straight satisfy
In an extravagant¶ and wheeling stranger,
yourself:

If she be in her chamber, or your house,
Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you.

Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho!
This accident is not unlike my dream,
Give me a taper;-call up all my people :-
Belief of it oppresses me already:-
Light, I say! light!

[Exit from above. It seems not meet, nor wholesome to my place lago. Farewell; for I must leave you : To be produc'd (as, if I stay, I shall,) Against the Moor: For, I do know, the state,However this may gall him with some check,Cannot with safety cast** him; for he's embark'd

With such loud reason to the Cyprus' wars,
(Which even now stand in act,) that, for their
souls,

Another of his fathom they have not,
To lead their business; in which regard,
Though I do hate him as I do hell pains,
Yet, for necessity of present life,

I must show out a flag and sign of love, Which is indeed but sign. That you shal surely find him,

Lead to the Sagittary the rais'd search; And there will I be with him. So, farewell, [Exii.

Enter below, BRABANTIO, and Servants with
Torches.

Bra. It is too true an evil: gone she is;
And what's to come of my despised time,*
Is nought but bitterness.-Now, Roderigo,
Where didst thou see her?-O, unhappy girl!—
With the Moor, say'st thou ?-Who would be

a father?

How didst thou know 'twas she? O, thou de

ceiv'st me

more tapers;

Past thought! What said she to you?-Get
[you?
Raise all my kindred.-Are they married think
Rod. Truly, I think, they are.

Bra. O heaven!-How got she out!-O trea-
son of the blood!

minds

Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters'
[charms,
By what you see them act.-Are there not
By which the property of youth and maidhood
May be abus'd? Have you not read, Roderigo,
Of some such thing?

Rod. Yes, Sir; I have indeed.
Bra. Call up my brother.-O, that 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

To get good guard, and go along with me.
Bra. Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll
call;

ho!
I may command at most;-Get weapons,
And raise some special officers of night.—
On, good Roderigo;-I'll deserve your pains.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II.-The same.-Another Street.
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,
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,
Are you fast married? for, be sure of this,-
That the magnificot is much beloved;
And hath, in his effect, a voice potential
As double as the duke's; he will divorce you;
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
The law (with all his might, to enforce it on,)
Will give him cable.

Oth. Let him do his spite:

My services, which I have done the signiory,
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to
know,
[our,
(Which, when I know that boasting is an hon-
shall promulgate,) I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege; and my demerits
May speak, unbonnetted, to as proud a for-

tune

Put into circumspection and confine
For the sea's worth. But, look! what light:
come yonder?

Enter CASSIO, at a distance, and certain Office
with Torches.

Iago. These are the raised father, and bu
You were best go in.
[friends
Oth. Not I: I must be found;
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul,
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?
Iugo. By Janus, I think no.

Oth. The servants of the duke, and my lies-
tenant.

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
Even on the instant.

[pearance,

Oth. What is the matter, think you?
Cas. Something from Cyprus, as I may

divine;

It is a business of some heat: The gallies
Have sent a dozen sequent* messengers
This very night at one another's heels:
And many of the consuls, rais'd, and met,
Are at the duke's already: You have been
hotly call'd for;
When, being not at your lodging to be found.

The senate hath sent about three several
To search you out.

[quests,

Oth. 'Tis well I am found by you.
I will but spend a word here in the house,
And go with you.

[Erit.

Cas. Ancient, what makes he here?
lago. 'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land
carack ;+

If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
Cas. I do not understand.
Iago. He's married.

Cas. To who?

Oth. Keep up your bright swords, for the
dew will rust them.-
[years,
Good signior, you shall more command with
Than with your weapons.

Bra. O thou foul thief, where hast thou
stow'd my daughter?
Damp'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her:
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid-so tender, fair, and happy;
So opposite to marriage, that she shunn'd
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,-
Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou: to fear, not to de-
light.§
Following.
A rich vessel.

+ Searchers, To terrify not delight.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Oth. Hold your hands,

Both you of my inclining, and the rest: [it
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known
Without a prompter.-Where will you that I
To answer this your charge?
[go

Bra. To prison: till fit time
Of law, and course of direct session,
Call thee to answer.

Oth. What if I do obey?

How may the duke be therewith satisfied;
Whose messengers are here about my side,
Upon some present business of the state,
To bring me to him?

Of. 'Tis true, most worthy signior,
The duke's in council; and your noble self,
I am sure, is sent for.

[own:

Bra. How! the duke in council!
In this time of the night!-Bring him away:
Mine's not an idle cause: the duke himself,
Or any of my brothers of the state,
Cannot but feel this wrong, as 'twere their
For if such actions may have passage free,
Bond-slaves and pagans, shall our statesmen
be.
[Exeunt.
SCENE III.-The same.-A Council Chamber.
The DUKE, and SENATORS, sitting at a Tuble;
Officers attending.

Duke. There is no compositiont in these

news,

That gives them credit.

1 Sen. Indeed, they are disproportion'd;
My letters say, a hundred and seven gallies.
Duke. And mine, a hundred and forty.
2 Sen. 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 judge-
ment;

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!

Enter an OFFICER, with a SAILOR.

Off. A messenger from the gallies.
Duke. Now? the business?

So may he with more facile question* bear it,
For that it stands not in such warlike brace,t
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 unskilful,
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.

Of. Here is more news.

Enter a MESSENGER.

Mess. The Ottomites, reverend and gracious, Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes, Have there injointed them with an after fleet. 1 Sen. Ay, so I thought:-How many, as you guess?

Mess. Of thirty sail: and now do they re

stem

Their backward course, bearing with frank ap

[tano,
pearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus.-Signior Mon-
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.-
Marchus Lucchesé, is he not in town?

Sen. He's now in Florence.

Duke. Write from us; wish him post-posthaste: despatch.

1 Sen. Here comes Brabantio, with the valiant Moor.

Enter BRABANTIO, OTHELLO, IAGO, RODERIGO, and Officers.

Duke. Valiant Othello, we must straight em-
ploy you

Against the general enemy Ottoman.
I did not see you; welcome, gentle Signior;
[To BRABANTIO.
We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night.
Bra. So did I yours: Good your grace, par-
don me;
[ness,
Neither my place, nor aught I heard of busi-
Hath rais'd me from my bed; nor doth the ge-
neral 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?

Bra. My daughter! O, my daughter!
Sen. Dead?

banks:

For nature so preposterously to err,
Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,

Sailor. The Turkish preparation makes for Sans witchcraft could not

Rhodes;

So was I bid report here to the state,

By signior Angelo.

Duke. How say you by this change?
1 Sen. 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,

The pagans and bond-slaves of Africa.
+ Consistency. * Conjecture.

Duke. Whoe'er he be, that, in this foul pro-
ceeding,

Hath thus beguil'd 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

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakspeare: From the Text of Johnson, Stevens ...