Iago. There's none so foul, and foolish thereunto,structed. Mark me, with what violence she first But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.

Des. O heavy ignorance-thou praisest the worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed? one, that, in the authority of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?

Iago. She that was ever fair, and never proud;
Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud;
Never lack'd gold, and yet went never gay;
Fled from her wish, and yet said,-now I may;
She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,
Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly;
She, that in wisdom never was so frail,

To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;
She that could think, and ne'er disclose her mind,
See suitors following, and not look behind;
She was a wight,-if ever such wight were,-
Des. To do what?

Iago. To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer. Des. O most lame and impotent conclusion!-Do not learn of him, Emilia, though he be thy husband. -How say you, Cassio?-is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor ?

Cas. He speaks home, madam i you may relish him more in the soldier, than in the scholar.

Iago. [Aside] He takes her by the palm: Ay, well said, whisper with as little a web as this, will I ensnare as great a fly as. Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good; well kissed an excellent courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again, your fingers to your lips? would they were clyster-pipes, for your sake. [Trumpet] The Moor,-I know his trumpet.

Cas. "Tis truly so.

Des. Let's meet him, and receive him.

Cas. Lo, where he comes!

Enter Othello and Attendants.

Oth. O my fair warrior!

Des.

My dear Othello!

Oth. It gives me wonder great as my content,
To see you here before me. O my soul's joy!
If after every tempest come such calms,

May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas,
Olympos-high; and duck again as low

As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
"Twere now to be most happy; for, I fear,
My soul hath her content so absolute,
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.

Des.

loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies: And will she love him still for prating? let not thy discreet heart think it. Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be,-again to inflame it, and to give satiety a fresh appetite,-loveliness in favour; sympathy in years, manners, and beauties; all which the Moor is defective in: Now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, 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 bandsome, young; and hath all those requisites in him, that folly and green minds look after: A pestilent complete knave; and the woman hath found him already.

Rod. I cannot believe that in her; she is full of most blessed condition.

Iago. Blessed tig's end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: 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?

Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy. Lago. Lechery, by this hand; an index, and obscure prologue to the history of last and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that their breaths embraced together. Villanons 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 me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command, I'll lay't upon you: Cassio knows you not;-'ll not be far from you: Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too lond, or tainting his discipline; or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.

Rod, Well,

Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden 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 propowers!-fitably removed, without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

The heavens forbid,
But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow!

Oth.
Amen to that, sweet
I cannot speak enough of this content,
It stops me here; it is too much of joy.
And this, and this, the greatest discords be,

[Kissing her.
O, you are well tun'd now!
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.
[Aside.
Oth.
Come, let's to the castle.-
News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are
drown'd.

That e'er our hearts shall make !
Iago.

How do our old acquaintance of this isle ?-
Honey, you shall be well desir'd in Cyprus,

I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,

I prattle out of fashion, and I dote

In mine own comforts.-I pr'ythee, good Iago,
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers:
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect.-Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.

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. [Exit.

Rod. Adieu.

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 leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; And nothing can or shall content my soul, 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. Which thing to do,If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash For his quick hunting, stand the putting on, I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip; Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb,For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too; Rod. With him? why, 'tis not possible.. Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, Lago. Lay thy finger-thus, and let thy soul be in- For making him egregiously an ass,

[Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be'st valiant,as (they say) base men, being in love, have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them,-list me. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard: First, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him.

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant
general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, im-
porting 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.

SCENE III. A Hall in the Castle.
Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.
Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night;
Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,

Not to out-sport discretion.

Cas. Iago hath direction what to do;
But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
Will I look to't.

Oth.

Iago 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. und Attend.

Cas. She is, indeed, perfection.

Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoop of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants, that would fain have a measure to the health of the 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 entertainment.

Iago. O, they are our friends; but one cup; I'll drink for you.

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.

Iago. I learned it in England, where (indeed) they are 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? 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.

Lago. O sweet England!

King Stephen was a worthy peer,

His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them sixpence all too dear,
With that he call'd the tailor-lown.

He was a wight of high renown,

And thou art but of low degree:
'Tis pride that pulls the country down,
Then take thine auld cloak about thee.
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 general, or any man of quality.-I hope to be saved. Iago. And so do I too, lieutenant.

Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's have no more of this; let's to our affairs.-Forgive us our sins!-Gentlemen, let's look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk; this is my ancient; this is my right hand, and this is my left band: I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and speak well enough.

All. Excellent well.

Cas. Why, very well, then you must not thjuk
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,

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him. was craftily qualified too, and, behold, what innova-I fear, the trust Othello pats him in, tion makes here: I am unfortunate in the infirmi-On some odd time of his infirmity, ty, 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.

Iago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk to-night already,
He'll be as full of quarrel and offence

As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool,
Roderigo,

Whom love has turn'd almost the wrong side outward,
To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd
Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits,
That hold their honours in a wary distance,
The very elements of this warlike isle,-
Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups,
And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of
Am I to put our Cassio in some action [drunkards,
That may offend the isle :-But here they come :
If consequence do but approve my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

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,
If drink rock not his cradle.
Mon.
It were well,
The general were put in mind of it.
Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
And looks not on his evils; Is not this true?
Enter Roderigo.

Iago. How now, Roderigo?

LAside. [Exit Rod.

I pray yon, after the lieutenant; go.
Mon. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place, as his own second,
With one of an ingraft infirmity:

ft 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 fo cure him of this evil. But, hark! what noise? 2 [Cry within-Help! Help!

I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

Cas.

Let me go, sir,
Come, come, you're drunk,
Cas. Drunk!
[They fight.
Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny!
[Aside to Rod, who goes out.
Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,-
Help, ho!-Lieutenant, sir,-Montano,-sir;-
Help, masters! Here's a goodly watch, indeed!
[Bell rings.

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mon.

Who's that that rings the bell ?-Diablo, ho!
The town will rise; God's will, lieutenant! hold;
You will be sham'd for ever.

Enter Othello and Attendants.

Oth.
What is the matter here?
Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death;-he dies.
Oth. Hold, for your lives.
[tlemen,
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

shame!

Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth this?
Are we turn'd Turks; and to ourselves do that,
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites?
For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage,
Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.-
Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle
From her propriety. What is the matter, masters ?-
Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.
Iago. I do not know;-friends all but now, even
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom [now,
Divesting them for bed and then, but now
(As if some planet had unwitted men),
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds;
And 'would in action glorious I had lost
These legs, that brought me to a part of it!

Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot?
Cas. I pray you, pardon me, I cannot speak.
Oth. Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths of wisest censure; What's the matter,
That you unlace your reputation thus,
And spend your rich opinion, for the name
Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it.

Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger;
Your officer, lago, can inform you-

Montano and myself being in speech,
There comes a fellow, crying out for help;
And Cassio following him with determin'd sword,
To execute upon him: Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio, and entreats his pause;
Myself the crying fellow did pursue,
Lest, by his clamour (as it so fell out),
The town might fall in fright; he, swift of foot,
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
Outran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
And Cassio high in oath; which, till to-night,
I ne'er might say before: When I came back
(For this was brief), I found them close together,
At blow, and thrust; even as again they were,
When you yourself did part them.
More of this matter can I not report:

But men are men; the best sometimes forget:-
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,-
As men in rage strike those that wish them best,-
Yet, surely, Cassio, I believe, receiv'd,
From him that fled, some strange indignity,
Which patience could not pass.
I know, lago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio :-Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.-

Oth.

Enter Desdemona, attended.
Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up ;-
I'll make thee an example.
What's the matter, dear?
Oth. All's well now, sweeting; Come away to bed.
Sir, for your hurts,

Des.

Myself will be your surgeon: Lead him off.
[To Montano, who is led off.
Iago, look with care about the town;
And silence those who this vile brawl distracted,-
Come, Desdemona; 'tis the soldiers' life,
To have their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife.
[Exeunt all but Iago and Cassio.
Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant!
Cas. Ay, past all surgery.
Iago. Marry, heaven forbid!

Cas. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part, sir, of myself, and what remains is bestial.-My reputation, Iago, my reputation.

Iugo. As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more offence in that, than in reputation. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving: You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser. What, man! there are ways to recover the general again: You are but now cast in his mood, a punishment more in policy than in malice; even so as one would beat his offenceless dog, to affright an imperious lion sue to him again, and he's yours.

Cas. I will rather sue to be despised, than to deceive so good a commander, with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk and speak parrot? and squabble? swagger? swear and dis[me-course fustian with one's own shadow -O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee-devil!

While I spare speech, which something now offends
Of all that I do know: nor know I aught,
By me that's said or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity be sometime a vice;
And to defend ourselves it be a sin,
When violeuce assails us.

Oth.
Now, by heaven,
My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
And passion, having my best judgment collied,
Assays to lead the way: if once I stir,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
How this foul rout began, who set it on;
And he that is approv'd in this offence,
Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
Shall lose me.-What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the' peoples' hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
In night, and on the court and guard of safety!
'Tis monstrous.-Iago, who began it?
Mon. If partially affin'd, or leagu'd in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

Lago. Why, but you are now well enough: How came you thus recovered?

Cas. It hath pleased the devil, drunkenness, to give place to the devil, wrath one unperfectness shows me another, to make me frankly despise myself.

Lago. Come, you are too severe a moraler: As the time, the place, and the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not befallen; but, since it is as it is, mend it for your own good.

Cas. I will ask him for my place again; he shall tell me, I am a drunkard! Had I as many mouths as Hydra, such an answer would stop them all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! O strange !-Every inordinate cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil.

Iago. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar

creature, if it be well used; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think, you think I love

you.

Cas. I have well approved it, sir.-I drunk! Iago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at some time, man. I'll tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the general-I may say so in this respect, for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces :-confess yourself freely to her; importune her: she'll help to put you in your place again; she is of so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, that she holds it a vice in. her goodness, not to do more than she is requested : This broken joint, between you and her husband, entreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any ay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

Cas. You advise me well.

Iago. I protest, in the sincerity of love, and honest

kindness.

Cas. I think it freely; and, betimes in the morning, I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me: I am desperate of my fortunes, if they check me here.

Iago. You are in the right. Good night, lieutenant; I must to the watch.

Cas. Good night, honest Jago.

[Exit.

Enter Clown.

Clo. Why, masters, have your instruments been at
Naples, that they speak i'the nose thus?
1 Mus. How, sir, how?

Clo. Are these, I pray you, call'd wind instruments?
1 Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir.
Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail.

1 Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir?

know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the
Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I
general so likes your music, that he desires you, of
all loves, to make no more noise with it.
1 Mus. Well, sir, we will not.

to't again: bat, as they say, to hear music, the general
Clo. If you have any music that may not be heard,
does not greatly care.

1 Mus. We have none sach, sir. Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away: Go, vanish into air; away.

[Exeunt Musicians. Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; 1 hear you. Cas. Pr'ythee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman that one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech: attends the general's wife be stirring, tell her, there's Wilt thou do this?

Iago. And what's he then, that says, I play the vil-shall seem to notify unto her. When this advice is free, I give, and honest, [lain?

Clo. She is stirring, sir; if she will stir hither, I [Exit.

Probal to thinking, and (indeed) the course

To win the Moor again! For, 'tis most easy

The inclining Desdemona to subdue

In any honest suit; she's fram'd as fruitful

As the free elements. And then for her

To win the Moor,-were't to renounce his baptism,
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,-

His soul is so enfetter'd to her love,

That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
Even as her appetite shall play the god

With his weak function. How am I then a villain,
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will their blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: For, while this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,-
That she repeals him for her body's lust;
And, by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch;
And out of her own goodness make the net,
That shall enmesh them all.-How now, Roderigo ?

Enter Roderigo.

Enter Iago.

Cas. Do, good my friend.-In happy time, Iago.
Jago. You have not been abed then?
Cas. Why, no; the day had broke
Before we parted. I have made bold, Iago,
To send in to your wife: My suit to her
Is, that she will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me some access.

Iago.
I'll send her to you presently;
And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way, that your converse and business
May be more free.

[Exit.

Cas. I humbly thank you for't. I never knew A Florentine more kind and honest.

Enter Emilia.

Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am sorry
For your displeasure; but all will soon be well.
The general, and his wife, are talking of it;
And she speaks for you stoutly: The Moor replies,
That he, you hurt, is of great fame in Cyprus,
And great affinity; and that, in wholesome wisdom,
He might not but refuse you: but, he protests, he
loves you;

And needs no other suitor, but his likings,
To take the saf'st occasion by the front,
To bring you in again.
Rod. I do follow here in the chase, not like a
Cas.
Yet, I beseech you,-
hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. MyIf you think fit, or that it may be done,-
money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceed- Give me advantage of some brief discourse
ingly well cudgelled; and, I think, the issue will be With Desdemona alone.
-I shall have so much experience for my pains: and
Pray you, come in ;
so, with no money at all, and a little more wit, re- I will bestow you where you shall have time
turn to Venice.
To speak your bosom freely.
Cas.

Iago. How poor are they, that have not patience!-
What wound did ever heal, but by degrees?
Thou know'st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;
And wit depends on dilatory time.

Does't not go well? Cassio hath beaten thee,
And thou, by that small hurt, hath cashier'd Cassio:
Though other things grow fair against the sun,
Yet fruits, that blossom first, will first be ripe :
Content thyself awhile.-By the mass, 'tis morning;
Pleasure, and action, make the hours seem short.
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter: [done,-
Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Rod.] Two things are to be
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on;

Myself, the while, to draw the Moor apart,
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife :-Ay, that's the way;
Dull not device by coldness and delay.

ACT III.

SCENE I. Before the Castle.
Enter Cassio and some Musicians.

[Exit.

Cas. Masters, play here, I will content your pains. Something that's brief; and bid-good morrow, general. [Music.

Emil.

am much bound to you.
[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A Room in the Castle.
Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen.
Oth. These letters give, lago, to the pilot;
Aud, by him, do my duties to the state:
That done, I will be walking on the works,
Repair there to me.

Lage.
Well, my good lord, I'll do't.
Oth. This fortification, gentlemen,-shall we see't?
Gent. We'll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt.

SCENE III. Before the Castle.

Enter Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia. Des. Be thou assur'd, good Cassio, I will do All my abilities in thy behalf.

Emil. Good madam, do; I know it grieves my hus-
As if the case were his.
[band,

Des. O that's an honest fellow. Do not doubt,
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were.

Cas.

[Cassio,

Bounteous madam,

Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio,
He's never any thing but your true servant.
Des. O, sir, I thank you: Yon do love my lord:
You have known him long and be you well assur'd,

He shall in strangeness stand no further off
Than in a politic distance.

Cas.

Ay, but lady,
That policy may either last so long,

Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
That I, being absent, and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.

Des. Do not doubt that; before Emilia bere, I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee, If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it

To the last article: my lord shall never rest;

I'll watch him tame, and talk him out of patience;
His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift;
I'll intermingle every thing he does

With Cassio's suit: Therefore be merry, Cassio;
For thy solicitor shall rather die,

Than give thy cause away.

Enter Othello and Iago, at a Distance.

Emil.

My lord.

Des. Emilia, come:-Beit as your fancies teach you;
Whate'er you be, I am obedient. [Exit, with Emil.
Oth. Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.

Iago. My noble lord,—
Oth.
What dost thou say, Iago?
Iago. Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,
Know of your love?

Oth. He did, from tirst to last: Why dost thou ask?
Iago. But for a satisfaction of my thought;
No further harm.

Oth.

Why of thy thought, Iago?

Iago. I did not think he had been acquainted with
Oth. O, yes; and went between us very oft. [her.
Iago. Indeed?

Oth. Indeed! ay, indeed :-Discern'st thou aught
Is he not honest?

Iago.

Oth.

Iago. My lord, for aught I know.

Honest, my lord?

[in that? Ay, honest.

Madam, here comes

Why, stay,

Oth. What dost thou think?
Iago.
Oth.

Think, my lord ?

Think, my lord!

Cas. Madam, I'll take my leave.
Des.

And hear me speak.

Cas. Madam, not now; I am very ill at ease,

Unfit for mine own purposes.

Des.

Do your discretion.

Lago.

Well, well,
[Exit Cassio.
Ha! I like not that.
Oth. What dost thou say?
Iago. Nothing, my lord: or if I know not what.
Oth. Was not that Cassio, parted from my wife?
Iago. Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it,
That he would steal away so guilty-like,
Seeing you coming.
Oth.

I do believe 'twas he.
Des. How now, my lord?

I have been talking with a suitor here,

A man that languishes in your displeasure.
Oth. Who is't you mean?

By heaven, he echoes me,

As if there were some monster in his thought,
Too hideous to be shown.-Thou dost mean something.
I heard thee say but now,-Thou lik'dst not that,
When Cassio left my wife; What didst not like?
And, when I told thee-he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing, thou cry'dst, Indeed!
And didst contract and purse thy brow together,
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit: If thou dost love me,
Show me thy thought.

Iago. My lord, you know I love you.
Oth.
I think thou dost:
And, for I know thou art full of love and honesty,
And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them
breath,-

Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more:

Des. Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord, For such things, in a false disloyal knave,

If I have any grace or power to move you,

His present reconciliation take;

For, if he be not one that truly loves you,

That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning,
I have no judgment in an honest face:
I pr'ythee, call him back.
Oth.

Went he hence now?
Des. Ay, sooth; so humbled,
That he hath left part of his grief with me;
I suffer with him. Good love, call him back.
Oth. Not now, sweet Desdemona; some other time.
Des. But shall't be shortly?
Oth.

The sooner, sweet, for you.
Des. Shall't be to-night at supper?

Oth.

No, not to-night.
1 shall not dine at home;
I meet the captains at the citadel.
[morn;
Des. Why then, to-morrow night; or Tuesday
Or Tuesday noon, or night; or Wednesday morn; -
I pray thee, name the time; but let it not
Exceed three days: in faith he's penitent;
And yet his trespass, in our common reason
(Save that, they say, the wars must make examples
Out of their best), is not almost a fault

Des. To-morrow dinner then?
Oth.

To incur a private check; When shall he come ?
Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul,
What you could ask me, that I should deny,

Or stand so mammering on. What! Michael Cassio,
That came a wooing with you; and many a time,
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly,
Hath ta'en your part; to have so much to do
To bring him in ! Trust me, I could do much,-
Oth. Pr'ythee, no more: let him come when he
I will deny thee nothing.
[will,
Des.
Why, this is not a boon;
'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,
Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm;
Or sue to you to do peculiar profit

To your own person: Nay, when I have a suit,
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed,
It shall be full of poize and difficulty,
And fearful to be granted.

Oth.
I will deny thee nothing:
Whereon, I do beseech thee, grant me this,
To leave me but a little to myself.

Des. Shall I deny you? no: Farewell, my lord,
Oth. Farewell, my Desdemona: I will come to thee
straight.

I pray thee, speak to me as to thy thinkings,
As thou dost ruminate; and give thy worst of thoughts
The worst of words.
Iago.
Good my lord, pardon me;
Though I am bound to every act of duty,
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to.

Utter my thoughts? Why, say, they are vile and
false,

As where's that palace, whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not? who has a breast so pure,
But some uncleanly apprehensions

Keep leets, and law-days, and in session sit,
With meditations lawful?

Oth. Thou dost conspire against thy friend, lago,
If thou but think'st him wrong'd, and mak'st his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts.
Iago.
I do beseech you,-
Though I, perchance, am vicious in my guess,
As, I confess, it is my nature's plague
To spy into abuses; and, oft, my jealousy
Shapes faults that are not, I entreat you then,
From one that so imperfectly conjects,
You'd take no notice; nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance :-
It were not for your quiet, nor your good,
Nor for my manhood, honesty, or wisdom,
To let you know my thoughts.