Othello, Act 1, Scene 2

Iago

Though in the trade of war I have slain men,Yet do I hold it very stuff o’ the conscienceTo do no contriv’d murder; I lack iniquitySometimes to do me service: nine or ten timesI had thought to have yerk’d him here under the ribs.

Though I've killed men in war, I consider it a matter of conscience never to commit a planned murder. Sometimes I'm not wicked enough for my own good. Nine or ten times I thought of stabbing him right here under the ribs.

Othello

’Tis better as it is.

It's better that you didn't.

Iago

Nay, but he prated,And spoke such scurvy and provoking termsAgainst your honour,That with the little godliness I have,I did full hard forbear him. But I pray you, sir,Are you fast married? Be assur’d of this,That the magnifico is much belov’dAnd hath in his effect a voice potentialAs double as the duke’s; he will divorce you,Or put upon you what restraint and grievanceThe law (with all his might to enforce it on)Will give him cable.

But he kept jabbering, saying such filthy, insulting things about your honor that, with what little goodness I have, I could barely keep myself from attacking him. But tell me, sir, are you securely married? You can be sure of this: that nobleman is greatly loved, and his influence carries twice the weight of the duke's. He'll have your marriage dissolved, or impose whatever restrictions and penalties the law allows him, using all his power to enforce it.

Othello

Let him do his spite;My services, which I have done the signiory,Shall out-tongue his complaints. ’Tis yet to know,—Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,I shall promulgate,—I fetch my life and beingFrom men of royal siege. And my demeritsMay speak unbonneted to as proud a fortuneAs this that I have reach’d. For know, Iago,But that I love the gentle Desdemona,I would not my unhoused free conditionPut into circumscription and confineFor the sea’s worth. But look, what lights come yond?

Let him do his worst. My services to the Venetian government will speak louder than his complaints. It isn't yet known—but when I find boasting honorable, I'll announce it—that I come from a royal family. My own achievements entitle me to stand proudly beside a woman of as high a position as the one I've married. Understand, Iago, if I didn't love gentle Desdemona, I wouldn't give up my free, unsettled life for the limits and confinement of marriage, not for all the riches of the sea. But look, what lights are coming over there?

Iago

Those are the raised father and his friends:You were best go in.

That's her father, roused from bed, and his friends. You'd better go inside.

Othello

Not I; I must be found.My parts, my title, and my perfect soulShall manifest me rightly. Is it they?

Not me. I must let them find me. My abilities, my rank, and my clear conscience will show me for what I am. Is that them?

Iago

By Janus, I think no.

By Janus, I don't think so.

Othello

The servants of the duke and my lieutenant.The goodness of the night upon you, friends!What is the news?

The duke's servants and my lieutenant. A good night to you, friends! What's the news?

Cassio

The duke does greet you, general,And he requires your haste-post-haste appearanceEven on the instant.

The duke sends his greetings, general, and requires you to come at once, with the greatest possible speed.

Othello

What is the matter, think you?

What do you think is the matter?

Cassio

Something from Cyprus, as I may divine.It is a business of some heat. The galleysHave sent a dozen sequent messengersThis 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 questsTo search you out.

Something concerning Cyprus, as far as I can guess. It's an urgent matter. The warships have sent a dozen messengers tonight, one right after another. Many of the senators have already been woken and gathered at the duke's. They've been calling urgently for you, and when you couldn't be found at your lodging, the senate sent out three separate search parties to find you.

Othello

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

It's good that you've found me. I'll just say a word inside the house, then go with you.

Cassio

Ancient, what makes he here?

Ensign, what's he doing here?

Iago

Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack:If it prove lawful prize, he’s made forever.

Well, tonight he's boarded a treasure ship on dry land. If his claim to the prize is legal, he's set for life.

Cassio

I do not understand.

I don't understand.

Iago

He’s married.

He's married.

Cassio

To who?

To who?

Iago

Marry to—Come, captain, will you go?

Well, to—Come, captain, are you ready to go?

Othello

Have with you.

I'll come with you.

Cassio

Here comes another troop to seek for you.

Here comes another group looking for you.

Iago

It is Brabantio. General, be advis’d,He comes to bad intent.

It's Brabantio. General, be careful. He means you harm.

Othello

Holla, stand there!

Hey, stop there!

Roderigo

Signior, it is the Moor.

Sir, it's the Moor.

Brabantio

Down with him, thief!

Take him down! The thief!

Iago

You, Roderigo! Come, sir, I am for you.

You, Roderigo! Come on, sir, I'll take you on.

Othello

Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.Good signior, you shall more command with yearsThan with your weapons.

Put away your bright swords, or the dew will rust them. Good sir, your age will command more respect than your weapons.

Brabantio

O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow’d my daughter?Damn’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’dThe wealthy curled darlings of our nation,Would ever have, to incur a general mock,Run from her guardage to the sooty bosomOf such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight.Judge me the world, if ’tis not gross in sense,That thou hast practis’d on her with foul charms,Abus’d her delicate youth with drugs or mineralsThat weakens motion. I’ll have’t disputed on;’Tis probable, and palpable to thinking.I therefore apprehend and do attach theeFor an abuser of the world, a practiserOf arts inhibited and out of warrant.—Lay hold upon him, if he do resist,Subdue him at his peril.

You filthy thief, where have you hidden my daughter? You damned creature, you've put a spell on her. I appeal to anyone with common sense: unless she was bound by magic, would a girl so gentle, beautiful, and happy, so opposed to marriage that she avoided our nation's wealthy, fashionable young favorites, ever have run from her father's protection to the soot-black chest of a thing like you, exposing herself to everyone's ridicule? You're something to fear, not to love. Let the whole world judge whether it isn't perfectly obvious that you've worked on her with evil spells, corrupted her innocent youth with drugs or mineral potions that weaken her will. I'll have this examined. It's likely, and obvious to anyone who thinks about it. I therefore arrest and take you into custody as a deceiver who practices forbidden and unlawful magic. Seize him. If he resists, overpower him, and let him face the consequences.

Othello

Hold your hands,Both you of my inclining and the rest:Were it my cue to fight, I should have known itWithout a prompter. Where will you that I goTo answer this your charge?

Keep your hands still, both my supporters and the rest of you. If it were time for me to fight, I would know without anyone prompting me. Where do you want me to go to answer your charge?

Brabantio

To prison, till fit timeOf law and course of direct sessionCall thee to answer.

To prison, until the proper legal time and a regularly appointed court call you to answer.

Othello

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?

Suppose I obey. How will that satisfy the duke? His messengers are here beside me to bring me to him on urgent state business.

Officer

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

It's true, most honored sir. The duke is meeting with the council, and I'm sure he has sent for you as well.

Brabantio

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 own.For if such actions may have passage free,Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.

What? The duke is meeting with the council? At this hour of the night? Bring him along. My complaint is no trivial matter. The duke himself, or any of my fellow senators, must feel this wrong as if it were their own. If such acts are freely allowed, slaves and pagans will be our rulers.