1 Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main," Descry a sail.

Mon. Methinks, the wind hath spoke aloud at land:

hy purse; nor he his to her: it was a violent commencement, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration;-put but money in thy purse.These Moors are changeable in their wills;-fill thy purse with money: the food that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be to him shortly as bit- A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements: ter as coloquintida. She must change for youth: If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea, when she is sated with his body, she will find the What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, error of her choice.-She must have change, she Can hold the mortise? what shall we hear of this? 2 Gen. A segregation of the Turkish fleet: must therefore put money in thy purse.-If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way For do but stand upon the foaming shore, than drowning. Make all the money thou canst: The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds; If sanctimony and a frail vow, betwixt an erring' The wind-shak'd surge, with high and monstrous main, barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian, be not too hard for my wits, and all the tribe of hell, thou Seems to cast water on the burning bear,' A pox of And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole: shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. drowning thyself! it is clean out of the way; seek I never did like molestation view thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy, On th' enchafed flood. than to be drowned and go without her.

Rod. Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?

Iago. Thou art sure of me ;-Go, make money:
-I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again
and again, I hate the Moor: My cause is hearted:
thine hath no less reason: Let us be conjunctive in
our revenge against him if thou canst cuckold
him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, and me a sport.
There are many events in the womb of time, which
provide thy
will be delivered. Traverse; go
money. We will have more of this to-inorrow.
Adieu.

Rod. Where shall we meet i'the morning?
Iago. At my lodging.

Rod. I'll be with thee betimes.

Iago. Go to; farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo ?
Rod. What say you?

Mon.

If that the Turkish fleet
Be not inshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd;
It is impossible they bear it out.

Mon.

How! is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in,
A Veronesé; Michael Cassio,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,
Is come on shore: the Moor himself's at sea,
And is in full commission here for Cyprus.

Mon. I am glad on't; tis a worthy governor.
3 Gent. But this same Cassio,-though he speak
of comfort,

lago. No more of drowning, do you hear?
Rod. I am changed. I'll sell all my land.
Iago. Go to; farewell: put money enough in
[Exit Roderigo.
your purse.
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,For I have serv'd him, and the man commands

Touching the Turkish loss,-yet he looks sadly,
And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest.
Mon.

If I would time expend with such a snipe,
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor:
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,

Will do, as if for surety. He holds' me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio's a proper man: Let me see now;
To his place, and to plume up my will;
A double knavery,-How? how?-Let me see :-
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear,
That he is too familiar with his wife :-
He hath a person, and a smooth dispose,
To be suspected; fram'd to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by the nose,
As asses are.

I have't;-it is engender'd :-Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.

'Pray heaven he be;

Like a full soldier. Let's to the sea-side, ho!
As well to see the vessel that's come in,
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello;
Even till we make the main, and the aerial blue,
An indistinct regard.

3 Gent.

Come, let's do so;
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.

Our friends at least.
Cas.
I pray you, sir, go forth,
And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd.

[Exil.

2 Gent. I shall.
Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd?
Cas. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid
That paragons description, and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And, in the essential vesture of creation,
Does bear all excellency.-How now? who has put
in ?

Re-enter second Gentleman.

2 Gent. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the general.
Cas. He has had most favourable and happy speed:
Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,-
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless knell,-
As having sense of beauty, do omit

Their mortal' natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

Mon.

What is she?

|Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your
beds.

Des. O, fie upon thee, slanderer!
Iago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk;
You rise to play, and go to bed to work.
Emil. You shall not write my praise.
Iago.
No, let me not
Des. What would'st thou write of me, if thou
should'st praise me?

Iago. O gentle lady, do not put me to't;
For I am nothing, if not critical.'

Des. Come on, assay :-There's one gone to the
harbour?

Iago. Ay, madam.

Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.-
Come, how would'st thou praise me?

lago. I am about it; but, indeed, my invention
Comes from my pate, as birdlime does from frize,
It plucks out brains and all: But my muse labours
And thus she is delivered.

Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain's if she be fair and wise,-fairness, and wit,

captain,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A se'nnight's speed.-Great Jove, Othello guard,
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath;
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort!-0, behold,

The one's for use, the other useth it.

Des. Well prais'd! How if she be black and witty?
She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.
Iago. If she be black, and thereto have a wit,

Des. Worse and worse.

Emil. How, if fair and foolish?

lago. She never yet was foolish that was fair; For even her folly help'd her to an heir.

Des. These are old fond paradoxes, to make

Enter Desdemona, Emilia, lago, Roderigo, and fools laugh i'the alehouse. What miserable praise

Attendants.

The riches of the ship is come on shore!
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees ;-
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!

Des.

I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
Cas. He is not yet arriv'd; nor know I aught
But at he's well, and will be shortly here.
Ds. O, but I fear;-how lost you company?

9. The great contention of the sea and skies
ed our fellowship: But, hark! a sail.
[Cry within, A sail, a sail! Then guns heard.
2 Gent. They give their greeting to the citadel;
This likewise is a friend.

Cas.

See for the news.[Exit Gentleman. Good ancient, you are welcome ;-Welcome, mis[To Emilia.

tress;

Let it not gall your patience, good Ingo,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy,

hast thou for her that's foul and foolish?

lago. There's none so foul and foolish thereunto, But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do.

Des. O heavy ignorance!-thou praisest the worst best. But what praise could'st 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?

lago. 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 dy;
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. her.-How say you, Cassio! is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor?

[Kissing
Iago. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips,
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You'd have enough.

Des.

Alas, she has no speech.

Iago. In faith, too much;

I find it still, when I have list to sleep,
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
And chides with thinking.

Emil.
You have little cause to say so.
Iago. Come on, come on; you are pictures out
of doors,

Bells in your parlours, wild cats in your kitchens,

Cas. He speaks home, madam; 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 si in. Very good; well kissed! an excellent cour tesy ! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again, your fingers to

(7) Your good-breeding and gallantry.
(8) Courtesy, in the sense of obeisance, was ap

(5) Licentious, free-spoken. (6) Shackle, fetter.plied to men as well as women.

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 sucn calms,
May the winds blow till they have waken'd death!
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas,
Olympus-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.

But that our loves and comforts should increase,
Even as our days do grow!
Oth.

to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted (
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 compass
ing of his salt and more 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
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."

lago. Blessed fig'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 obAmen to that, sweet powers!-scure prologue to the history of lust and foul 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,

That e'er our hearts shall make!
Iago.

[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.

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
Doth challenge much respect.-Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.

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 me: 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 find some occasion to anger Cassio, either by speaking too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.

Rod. Well.

lago. 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 [Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. shall then have to prefer them; and the impediJago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour.ment most profitably removed, without the which Come hither. If thou be'st valiant,-as (they say) there were no expectation of our prosperity. base men, being in love, have then a nobility in Rod. I will do this, if I can bring it to any optheir natures more than is native to them,-list me." portunity. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard:-First, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him.

Rod. With him? why, 'tis not possible.
Jago. Lay thy finger-thus, and let thy soul be
instructed Mark me, with what violence she first
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

(1) Much solicited by invitation.
(2) Out of method. without order.
(3) Listen to me. (4) Minds unripe.

Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

Rod. Adieu.

[Exit.

Jago. 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 not-
Is 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 whereot
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

(5) Qualities, disposition of mind.
(6) Throwing a slur upon his discipline.
(7) Perhaps. (9) To advance them.

At least into a jealousy so strong

Cas. Not to-night, good lago; I have very poo courtesy would invent some other custom of enter

That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,-and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish

If this poor trash' of Venice, whom I trash2
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;

tainment.

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

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, was craftily qualified' too, and, behold, what innoFor making him egregiously an ass,

And practising upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. "Tis here, but yet confus'd;
Knavery's plain face is never seen, till us'd. [Exit.
SCENE II-A street. Enter a Herald, with a
proclamation; people following.

vation it makes here: I am unfortunate in the .nfirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any

Jago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them m.
Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. [Exit Cassio.
lago. 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 foo
Roderigo,

ward,

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 revel his addiction leads him; for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials: Whom love has turn'd almost the wrong side outSo 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 tonight:

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.

Iago is most honest.

Oth.
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 cast 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. lago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game. Cas. Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate ereature.

lago. 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.

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 the black Othello.

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
drunkards,

Am I to put our Cassio in some action
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.
Re-enter Cassio; with him Montano, and Gentle

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. they are most potent in potting; your Dane, your lago. I learned it in England, where (indeed) 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.

Iago. O sweet England!

King Stephen was a worthy peer, 10
His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them sixpence all too dear,

With that he call'd the tailor-lown."

(6) Dismissed. (7) Slily mixed with water. (8) A little more than enough.

(9) Drink as much as you do.

(10) A worthy fellow." (11) Clown.

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.

Sɔme wine, ho!

Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the

other.

lago. 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.

pray you, sir, hold your hand.
Cas.

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

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.
Who's that that rings the bell ?-Diablo, ho!
The town will rise; God's will, lieutenant! hold;

Cas. For mine own part,-no offence to the gene-You will be sham'd for ever.
ral, or any man of quality,-I hope to be saved.
lago. 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 hand: am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and speak well enough.

All. Excellent well.

Cas. Why, very well, then: you must not think then that I am drunk. [Exil. 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.
I fear, the trust Othello puts him in,
On some odd time of his infirmity,
Will shake this island.

Mon.

But is he often thus ?

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.

lago. Hold, hold, lieutenant, sir, Montano,gentlemen,

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, mas-

[Aside.

[Exit Rod.

Mon. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor

Should hazard such a place, as his own second,

With one of an ingraft infirmity:

It were an honest action, to say

So to the Moor.

lago.

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.
Cas. You rogue! you rascal!
Mon.
What's the matter, lieutenant?
Cas. A knave!-teach me my duty!
I'll beat the knave into a twiggen' bottle.
Rod. Beat me!

Cas.

Mon.

Dost thou prate, rogue?
[Striking Roderigo.
Nay, good lieutenant:
[Slaying him.

(1) While the clock strikes two rounds, or four-
and-twenty hours.
(2) Rooted, settled.

VOL. II.

ters?

Honest lago, that look'st dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.
lago. I do not know ;-friends all but now, even

now,

In quarter, and in terins like bride and gi Dom
Devesting 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-
While I spare speech, which something now offende