begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted, (as it is a most pregnant and unforced position,) who stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune, as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further conscionable, than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden, loose affection? Why, none; why, none. A slippery and subtle knave: a finder out of occasions; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: a devilish knave! besides, the knave is handsome, young; and hath all those requisites in him, that folly and green minds1 look after a pestilent, complete knave; and the woman hath found him already. Rod. I cannot believe that in her; she is full of inost blessed condition.2 Iago. Blessed fig's end! the wine she drinks is made of grap; if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor. Blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst not mark that? 3 Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy. Iago. Lechery, by this hand; an index, and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that their breaths embraced together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion. Pish!-But, sir, be you ruled by ine. I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command, I'll lay't upon you. Cassio knows you not;-I'll not be far from you. Do you you. Do find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other 4 1 Minds unripe, minds not yet fully formed. 2 Qualities, disposition of mind. 3 Indexes were formerly prefixed to books. 4 Throwing a slur upon his discipline. VOL. VII. 55 course you please, which the time shall more favorably minister. Rod. Well. 2 Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden1 in choler, and, haply, with his truncheon may strike at you. Provoke him, that he may; for, even out of that, will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny; whose qualification shall come into no true taste again, but by the displanting of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires, by the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity. 3 Rod. I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity. Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel; I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell. Rod. Adieu. [Exit. Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit. The Moor-howbeit that I endure him notIs of a constant, loving, noble nature; And, I dare think, he'll prove to Desdemona A most dear husband. Now I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust, (though, peradventure, I stand accountant for as great a sin,) But partly led to diet my revenge, For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my seat; the thought whereof 4 Till I am even with him, wife for wife; Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor At least into a jealousy so strong That judgment cannot cure. 1 Sudden is precipitately violent. Which thing to do, 2 Qualification, in our old writers, signifies appeasement, pacification, assuagement of anger. 3 To advance them. 4 Thus the quarto 1622; the folio-till I am evened with him. If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace1 1 Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, For making him egregiously an ass, And practising upon his peace and quiet, Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused; [Exit. SCENE II. A Street. 3 Enter a Herald, with a proclamation; People following. Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him; for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. All offices* are open; and there is full liberty of feasting, from this present hour of five, till the bell hath told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus, and our noble general, Othello! [Exeunt. 1 "If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trace This is the reading of the folio; the quarto of 1622 reads crush, which the commentators altered to trash, signifying to impede, to keep back; a meaning the very converse of that required by the context: to trace means neither more nor less than to follow, the appropriate hunting term; the old French tracer, tracher, trasser, and the Italian tracciare, having the same meaning. 2 "In the rank garb," is "in the right down or straight forward fashion." The folio reads "in the right garb." 3 Mere is entire. 4 All rooms or places in the castle, at which refreshments are prepared or served out. SCENE III. A Hall in the Castle. Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and Attendants. Desdemona, Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night. Let's teach ourselves that honorable stop, Not to outsport discretion. Cas. Iago hath direction what to do; Oth. lago is most honest. Michael, good night; to-morrow, with our earliest, Let me have speech with you.-Come, my dear love, The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; [To DESDEMONA. That profit's yet to come 'twixt me and you. Good night. [Exeunt OTH., DES., and Attend. Enter IAGO. Cas. Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock. Our general cast1 us thus early, for the love of his Desdemona; whom let us not therefore blame; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and she is sport for Jove. Cas. She's a most exquisite lady. Iago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game. Cas. Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate creature. Iago. What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley of provocation. Cas. An inviting eye; and yet, methinks, right modest. Iago. And, when she speaks, is it not an alarm to love? Cas. She is, indeed, perfection. 1 i. e. dismissed us. Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants, that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello. Cas. Not to-night, good lago; I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertain ment. Iago. O, they are our friends. But one cup; I'll drink for you. 1 Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualified 1 too, and, behold, what innovation it makes here. I am unfortunate in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more. Iago. What, man! 'tis a night of revels; the gallants desire it. Cas. Where are they? Iago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in. Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. [Exit CASSIO. Iago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drunk to-night already, As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool, Whom love has turned almost the wrong side out ward, To Desdemona hath to-night caroused Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch. Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits, The very elements of this warlike isle, 2 Have I to-night flustered with flowing cups, And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of drunkards, Am I to put our Cassio in some action That may offend the isle.-But here they come : 1 Slyly mixed with water. 2 "As quarrelsome as the discordia semina rerum; as quick in opposition as fire and water." |