Bra. Nothing, but this is so. 75
Oth. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors,
My very noble and approved good masters,
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true, I have married her:
The very head and front of my offending 80
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in my speech,[5120]
And little blest with the soft phrase of peace;[5121]
For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used[5122]
Their dearest action in the tented field; 85
And little of this great world can I speak,
More than pertains to feats of broil and battle;[5123]
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,[5124]
I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver[5125] 90
Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms,[5126]
What conjuration and what mighty magic—
For such proceeding I am charged withal—[5127]
I won his daughter.[5128]
Bra. A maiden never bold;[5129]
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion[5129] 95
Blush'd at herself; and she—in spite of nature,[5130]
Of years, of country, credit, every thing—
To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on![5131]
It is a judgement maim'd and most imperfect[5132]
That will confess perfection so could err[5133] 100
Against all rules of nature; and must be driven
To find out practices 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, 105
He wrought upon her.
Duke. To vouch this, is no proof,[5134]
Without more certain and more overt test[5135]
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods[5136]
Of modern seeming do prefer against him.[5137]
First Sen. But, Othello, speak:[5138] 110
Did you by indirect and forced courses
Subdue and poison this young maid's affections?
Or came it by request, and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth?
Oth. I do beseech you,[5139]
Send for the lady to the Sagittary,[5140] 115
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,[5141]
Not only take away, but let your sentence
Even fall upon my life.[5142]
Duke. Fetch Desdemona hither. 120
Oth. Ancient, conduct them; you best know the place.
[Exeunt Iago and Attendants.[5143]
And till she come, as truly as to heaven[5144]
I do confess the vices of my blood,[5145]
So justly to your grave ears I'll present
How I did thrive in this fair lady's love 125
And she in mine.