SCENE VII.
Changes to the Senate House.
Duke and Senators, set at a table with lights, and attendants.
Duke.
5 noteThere is no composition in these news,
That gives them credit.
1 Sen.
Indeed, they're disproportion'd;
My letters say, a hundred and seven Gallies.
Duke.
And mine a hundred and forty.
2 Sen.
And mine, two hundred;
But though they jump not on a just account,
6 note
As in these cases where they aim reports,
'Tis oft with diff'rence; yet do they all confirm
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
Duke.
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.
Sailors within.]
What hoa! what hoa! what hoa!
-- 336 --
Enter Sailors.
Offi.
A messenger from the Gallies.
Duke.
Now?—What's the business?
Sail.
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes.
So was I bid report here to the State.
Duke.
How say you by this change?
1 Sen.
This cannot be,
7 noteBy no assay of reason. 'Tis a pageant,
To keep us in false gaze; when we consider
Th' 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 8 notefacile question bear it;
9 noteFor that it stands not in such 1 notewarlike brace,
But altogether lacks th' 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.
Nay, in all confidence, he's not for Rhodes.
Offi.
Here is more news.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
The Ottomites, reverend and gracious,
Steering with due course toward the Isle of Rhodes,
Have there injointed them with an after-fleet—
1 Sen.
Ay, so I thought; how many, as you guess?
-- 337 --
Mes.
Of thirty sail; and now they do re-stem
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,
2 note
And prays you to believe him.
Duke.
'Tis certain then for Cyprus. Marcus Luccicos,
Is he not here in town?
1 Sen.
He's now in Florence.
Duke.
Write from us, to him, post, post-haste. Despatch.
1 Sen.
Here comes Brabantio, and the valiant Moor.
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
