Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war; And, in conclusion, Nonsuits my mediators: for, 'Certes,' says he, 'I have already chose my officer.' Forsooth, a great arithmetician, A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; More than a spinster; unless the bookish theoric, As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice, Rod. By heaven, I rather would have been his 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 21. almost damn'd in a fair wife. The most plausible interpretation is almost married' to Bianca; the epithet indicating either the disreputableness of this match or Iago's scorn for marriage in general. 24. theoric, theory. 25. toged, wearing the toga of civil (as distinct from military) authority. 25. consuls, councillors. counter-caster, 20 30 i.e. ' arithmetician'; he has been in the accounts branch'; a 'pen-and-ink soldier.' L. 32. in good time, 'forsooth'; here ironical, like à la bonne heure.' Whether I in any just term am affined To love the Moor. Rod. I would not follow him then. Iago. O, sir, content you; him : I follow him to serve my turn upon Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave, Whip me such honest knaves. Others there are Do themselves homage: these fellows have some soul; And such a one do I profess myself. For, sir, 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, For when my outward action doth demonstrate If he can carry 't thus ! 39. in any just term affined, related to him in such a way as to be bound. 40 50 60 50. visages, outward semblances. 66. owe, own. Iago. Call up her father, Rouse him make after him, poison his delight, Rod. Here is her father's house; I'll call aloud. Rod. What, ho, Brabantio! Signior Brabantio, Iago. Awake! what, ho, Brabantio! thieves! thieves thieves ! 70 Look to your house, your daughter and your bags! 80 Thieves thieves! 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, 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; Bra. What, have you lost your wits? voice? Bra. Not I: what are you? 90 Rod. My name is Roderigo. Bra. The worser welcome : To start my quiet. 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. 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 100 we come to do you service and you think we are 110 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. Bra. This thou shalt answer; I know thee, Rod. Sir, I will answer any thing. seech you, But, I be If't be your pleasure and most wise consent, I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: Of here and every where. Straight satisfy yourself: Let loose on me the justice of the state Bra. Strike on the tinder, ho! Give me a taper! call up all my people! This accident is not unlike my dream : Belief of it oppresses me already. Light, I say! light! [Exit above. Iago. Against the Moor: for, I do know, the state, 124. odd-even, the undefined time after midnight which may be called either 'late' or 'early.' 130 140 150 124. dull, slumberous. |