I said—none of us know how long; and as you are a Lawyer, Mr Talboys—
TALBOYS.
For goodness' sake, my dear Seward, don't mister me—
SEWARD.
The only evidence, my dear Talboys, as to the history of the marriage is that given by Roderigo in the First Scene. He, with the most manifest anxiety to prove himself an honest witness, declares that now, at midnight, Desdemona had eloped—not with the Moor, but with no "worse nor better guard, but with a knave of common hire, a gondolier, to," &c., &c. She has fled alone from her father's house; and Roderigo, being interrogated, "Are they married, think ye?" answers, "Truly I think they are."
TALBOYS.
What do you say to Iago's saying to Cassio—
"Faith he to-night has boarded a land Carrack:
If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever.
Cassio. I do not understand.
Iago. He's married."
SEWARD.
It cannot be inferred, from these words, that this was the first occasion on which Desdemona and Othello had come together as man and wife. The words are quite consistent with the supposition that their marriage had taken place some time before; also quite consistent with Iago's knowledge of that event. It was not his cue or his humour to say more than he did. Why should he?