Duke of Venice Lines in Othello: All Speeches with Cues

First line of the scene

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. There is no composition in these news That gives them credit.

First Senator Indeed, they are disproportion'd; My letters say a hundred and seven galleys.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. And mine, a hundred and forty.

Second Senator 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 they all confirm A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Nay, it is possible enough to judgment: I do not so secure me in the error, But the main article I do approve In fearful sense.

First Officer A messenger from the galleys.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Now, what's the business?

Sailor The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes; So was I bid report here to the state By Signior Angelo.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. How say you by this change?

First Senator 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, So may he with more facile question bear it, For that it stands not in such warlike brace, 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 of Venice

Duke of Venice. Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.

Messenger Of thirty sail: and now they do restem Their backward course, bearing with frank appearance Their purposes toward Cyprus. Signior Montano, Your trusty and most valiant servitor, With his free duty recommends you thus, And prays you to believe him.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. 'Tis certain, then, for Cyprus. Marcus Luccicos, is not he in town?

First Senator He's now in Florence.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Write from us to him; post-post-haste dispatch.

First Senator Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Valiant Othello, we must straight employ you Against the general enemy Ottoman. (To BRABANTIO) I did not see you; welcome, gentle signior; We lack'd your counsel and your help tonight.

Brabantio So did I yours. Good your grace, pardon me; Neither my place nor aught I heard of business Hath raised me from my bed, nor doth the general 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 of Venice

Duke of Venice. Why, what's the matter?

Brabantio Ay, to me; She is abused, stol'n from me, and corrupted By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks; For nature so preposterously to err, Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense, Sans witchcraft could not.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding Hath thus beguiled 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 son Stood in your action.

Duke of Venice Senator We are very sorry for't.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. [To OTHELLO] What, in your own part, can you say to this?

Brabantio It is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect That will confess perfection so could err Against all rules of nature, and must be driven To find out practises of cunning hell, Why this should be. I therefore vouch again That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood, Or with some dram conjured to this effect, He wrought upon her.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. To vouch this, is no proof, Without more wider and more overt test Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods Of modern seeming do preferr against him.

Othello I do beseech you, Send for the lady to the Sagittary, And let her speak of me before her father: If you do find me foul in her report, The trust, the office I do hold of you, Not only take away, but let your sentence Even fall upon my life.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Fetch Desdemona hither.

Othello And, till she come, as truly as to heaven I do confess the vices of my blood, So justly to your grave ears I'll present How I did thrive in this fair lady's love, And she in mine.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Say it, Othello.

Othello And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake: She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd, And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used: Here comes the lady; let her witness it.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. I think this tale would win my daughter too. Good Brabantio, Take up this mangled matter at the best: Men do their broken weapons rather use Than their bare hands.

Brabantio For your sake, jewel, I am glad at soul I have no other child: For thy escape would teach me tyranny, To hang clogs on them. I have done, my lord.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Let me speak like yourself, and lay a sentence, Which, as a grise or step, may help these lovers Into your favour. When remedies are past, the griefs are ended By seeing the worst, which late on hopes depended.

To mourn a mischief that is past and gone Is the next way to draw new mischief on. What cannot be preserved when fortune takes Patience her injury a mockery makes. The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.

Brabantio These sentences, to sugar, or to gall, Being strong on both sides, are equivocal: But words are words; I never yet did hear That the bruised heart was pierced through the ear. I humbly beseech you, proceed to the affairs of state.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus.

Othello, the fortitude of the place is best known to you; and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency, yet opinion, a sovereign mistress of effects, throws a more safer voice on you: you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition.

Othello Most humbly therefore bending to your state, I crave fit disposition for my wife. Due reference of place and exhibition, With such accommodation and besort As levels with her breeding.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. If you please, Be'at at her father's.

Desdemona Nor I; I would not there reside, To put my father in impatient thoughts By being in his eye. Most gracious duke, To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear; And let me find a charter in your voice, To assist my simpleness.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. What would You, Desdemona?

Othello But to be free and bounteous to her mind: And heaven defend your good souls, that you think I will your serious and great business scant For she is with me: no, when light-wing'd toys Of feather'd Cupid seal with wanton dullness My speculative and officed instruments, That my disports corrupt and taint my business, Let housewives make a skillet of my helm, And all indign and base adversities Make head against my estimation!

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Be it as you shall privately determine, Either for her stay or going: the affair cries haste, And speed must answer it.

Othello With all my heart.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. At nine i' the morning here we'll meet again. Othello, leave some officer behind, And he shall our commission bring to you; With such things else of quality and respect As doth import you.

Othello So please your grace, my ancient; A man he is of honest and trust: To his conveyance I assign my wife, With what else needful your good grace shall think To be sent after me.

Duke of Venice

Duke of Venice. Let it be so. Good night to every one. (To BRABANTIO) And, noble signior, If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.