If consequence do but approve my dream,' Re-enter CASSIO, with him MONTANO, and Gentlemen. Cas. 'Fore Heaven, they have given me a rouse already. Mon. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier. Iago. Some wine, ho! And let me the canakin clink, clink, And let me the canakin clink: A soldier's a man; A life's but a span; Why, then, let a soldier drink. Some wine, boys! [Sings. [Wine brought in. Cas. 'Fore Heaven, an excellent song. 2 Iago. I learned it in England, where (indeed) they arę most potent in potting. Your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied Hollander,-drink, ho!-are nothing to your English. Cas. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking ? 3 Iago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, your Dane dead drunk; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain; he gives your Hollander a vomit, ere the next pottle can be filled. Cas. To the health of our general. Mon. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.* Iago. O, sweet England! King Stephen was a worthy peer, His breeches cost him but a crown ; With that he called the tailor-lown. 1 Every scheme subsisting only in the imagination may be termed a dream. 2 See Hamlet, Act i. Sc. 2, note 1, p. 264. 3 Thus the quarto 1622. The folio has exquisite. 4 i. e. drink as much as you do. He was a wight of high renown, And thou art but of low degree; Some wine, ho! Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. Iago. Will you hear it again? Cas. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place, that does those things.-Well,-Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved. Iago. It's true, good lieutenant. Cas. For mine own part,-no offence to the gen- Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the All. Excellent well. Cas. Why, very well, then; you must not think, then, that I am drunk. [Exit Mon. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch. Iago. You see this fellow, that is gone before. He is a soldier, fit to stand by Cæsar And give direction; and do but see his vice; "Tis to his virtue a just equinox, The one as long as the other; 'tis pity of him. On some odd time of his infirmity Will shake this island. Mon. But is he often thus? Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep. He'll watch the horologe a double set,1 Mon. It were well The general were put in mind of it. Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature Enter RODERIGO. Iago. How now, Roderigo? I [Aside. pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Exit RODERIGO. Should hazard such a place, as his own second, It were an honest action to say So to the Moor. Iago. Not I, for this fair island. I do love Cassio well; and would do much To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noise? [Cry within-Help! help! Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO. What's the matter, lieutenant? Cas. You rogue! you rascal! Mon. Cas. A knave!-teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen3 bottle. 1 If he have no drink, he'll keep awake while the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty hours.--The word horologe is familiar to mest of our ancient writers. Mon. Come, come, you're drunk. Cas. Drunk! [They fight. Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-A mutiny. goes out. Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,- [Bell rings. Who's that that rings the bell?-Diablo, ho! Enter OTHELLO and Attendants. Oth. Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant, sir, Montano,-gen- Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this? For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl. 2 1 The first quarto omits the words he dies, and has zounds! at the commencement of the line. Montano may be supposed to say he dies, i. e. he shall die. Othello, in the very next speech, says, He dies upon his motion." 2 i. e. on our station. This seems the leading signification, for the principal camp-guard of a regiment is called the quarter-guard; but a regiment in quarters has no such guard. Divesting them for bed; and then, but now, Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?1 The world hath noted, and your name is great And spend your rich opinion,2 for the name Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger. While I spare speech, (which something now offends me)— Of all that I do know: nor know I aught And to defend ourselves it be a sin, When violence assails us. Oth. Or do but lift this arm, the best of you How this foul rout began, who set it on; And he that is approved 5 in this offence, 1 i. e. you have thus forgot yourself. 2 Character. 3 Care of one's self. 4 Collied is blackened, as with smut or coal; and, figuratively, means here obscured, darkened. 5 Convicted by proof. |