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fore 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 5

creature.

Iago. What an eye she has! methinks, it sounds a parley of provocation.

Cas. An inviting eye; and yet, methinks, right modest.

lago. And, when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

Cus. She is, indeed, perfection.

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Iago. I learn'd it in England, where (indeed) they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your 10 German, and your swag-bellied Hollander,Drink, ho!-are nothing to your English.

Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoop of wine; and here 15 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 20 wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.

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

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and 25 that was craftily qualified 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 30 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,
He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool,
Roderigo,

35

Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side 40
outward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carouz'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 2,-
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

Cas. Is your Englishman so exquisite 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 fill'd.

Cas. To the health of our general. Mont. 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 six-pence all too dear,
With that he call'd the taylor 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.

Jago. 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, nor any man of quality,-I hope to be saved.

Iago. And so I do too, lieutenant.

Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient, 45 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:-I am not drunk 50 now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well Jenough.

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.
Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen.
Cas. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse |55|
already,

Mont. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint,
As I am a soldier.

Iago. Some wine, ho!

1i. e. slily mixed with water.

[Tago sings.

All. Excellent well.

Cas. Why, very well then: you must not think
then that I am drunk.
[Exit.
Mont. 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;

i. e. As quarrelsome as the discordia semina rerum; as quick in opposition as fire and water. A rouse appears to be a quantity of liquor rather too large. * Thes: stanzas are taken from an old song, which the reader will find in Percy's Relicks of Ancient Poetry. 2. e. a worthy fellow.

i. e. sorry fellow, paltry wretch.

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The general were put in mind of it.
Perhaps, he sees 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?

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Exit Rod.
Mont. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place, as his own second,
With one of an ingraft infirmity 2:

It were an honest action to say so
Unto the Moor.

lago. Not I, for this fair island:

Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame! [this? Oth. Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth 5 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 forth his own rage, Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.10 Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle From her propriety ». -What is the matter,

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In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
Divesting them for bed: and then, but now,
(As if some planet had unwitted men)

20 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??

I do love Cassio well; and would do much
To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noise? [25]
[Cry within, Help! help!

Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo.

Cas. You rogue! you rascal!
Mont. 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. Dost thou prate, rogue?

Mont. Nay, good lieutenant; [Staying him. I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

Cas. Let me go, sir,

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.
Mont. Come, come, you're drunk.
Cas. Drunk ?

[They fight.

Cas. I pray you, pardon me, I cannot speak.
Oth. Worthy Montano, you were wont be civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth

30 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.

35

Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny. 40

[Aside to Rod. [Exit Roderigo. Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen,Help,ho!-Lieutenant,-sir,-Montano,-sir;Help, masters! Here's a goodly watch, indeed!-45 Who's that that rings the bell?-Diablo, ho! [Bell rings. The town will rise: Fie, fie, lieutenant! hold; You will be sham'd for ever.

Enter Othello, and Attendants. Oth. What is the matter here?

Mont. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death;he dies 1.

Oth. Hold, for your lives.

Mont. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:
Your officer, lago, can inform you———
While I spare speech, which something now of
fends ine,-

Of all that I do know: nor know I aught,
By me that's said or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity 10 be sometime a vice:
And to defend ourselves it be a sin,
When violence assails us.

Oth. Now, by heaven,

My blood begins my safer guides to rule;
And passion, having my best judgement collied",
Assays to lead the way: if I once stir,
Or do but lift this arm, the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know
50 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 people's hearts brim-full of fear,

lago. Hold, hold, lieutenant,-sir,-Montano, 55 To manage private and domestic quarrel,

-gentlemen,

In night, and on the court and guard of safety !.

1i. e. If he have no drink, he'll keep awake while the clock strikes two rounds, or four-and-twenty hours. i. e. an infirmity rooted, settled in his constitution. 'A twiggen bottle is a bottle covered with wicker. 4i. e. he shall die. He may be supposed to say this as he renews the fight. i. e.

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from her regular and proper state. i. e. in their quarters; at their lodging. i. e. you have thus forgot yourself. i. e. slacken, or loosen, put in danger of dropping; or perhaps strip of its ornaments. i. e. throw away and squander a reputation so valuable as yours. 10 Care of one's self. "Othello means, that passion has discoloured his judgement. To colly anciently signified to besmut, to blacken as with coal. The word is still used in the midland counties 12 i. c. he that is convicted, by proof, of having been engaged in this offence.

Tis

'Tis monsterous.-Iago, who began 't?
Mon. If partially affin'd', or leagu'd in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

Jago. Touch me not so near:

pause;

I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth,
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general.
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
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,
Out-ran my purpose; and I return'd the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
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.

Oth. I know, Iago,

Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio:-Cassio, I love thee;
But never more be officer of mine.-

Enter Desdemona, attended.

Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up;-
I'll make thee an example.

Des. What is the matter, dear?

Oth. All's well now, sweeting: Come away to bed.

Sir, for your hurts, myselfwill be your surgeon:Lead him off.→ [To Montano, who is led off. lago, look with care about the town;

[pute 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 5 his offenceless dog, to affright an imperious lion: sue to him again, and he 's yours.

Cas. I will rather sue to be despis'd, than to deceive so good a commander, with so slight, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk? 10 and speak parrot'? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one's own shadow?-O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call theedevil!

15 Iago. What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you?

Cas. I know not.

Iugo. Is it possible?

Cas. I remember a mass of things, but nothing 20 distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore.-O, that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, revel, pleasure, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!

25 Iago. Why, but you are now well enough; How came you thus recover'd?

Cas. It hath pleas'd the devil, drunkenness, to give place to the devil, wrath: one unperfectness shews me another, to make me frankly despise 30 myself.

Iago. 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 35 own good.

40

And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.--45
Come, Desdemona; 'tis the soldiers' life,
To have their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife.
[Exeunt. Manent Iago and Cassio.
Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant?
Cas. Ay, past all surgery.
Jago. Marry, heaven forbid!

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

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 cap is unbless'd,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 approv'd it, sir.-I drunk! Iago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at some time, man. I tell you what you shall do. Our general's wife is now the general;-I may 50 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, intreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

55

Iago. As I am an honest man, I had thought you had receiv'd 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: 60 You have lost no reputation at all, unless you re

Affin'd, is bound by proximity of relationship; but here it means related by nearness of office. i. e. ejected in his anger. A phrase signifying to act foolishly and childishly.

Cas. You advise me well. lago. 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 5 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 Iago. [Exit Cassio. 10
Jugo. And what's he then, that says-I play the

villain?

When this advice is free' I give, and honest,
Probable 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 [tism,
To win the Moor,-were 't to renounce his bap-
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 shews,
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.

Rod. I do follow here in the chace, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry.My money is almost spent; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgell'd; and, I think, the issue will be--I shall have so much experience for my pains and so, with no money at all, and a little more wit, return to Venice. [tience!

:

Jago. How poor are they, that have not pa What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? 15 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,hast cashier'd Cassio: 20 Though other things grow fair against the sun, Yet fruits, that blossom first, will first be ripe: Content thyself a while.-By the mass, 'tis morn ing:

Pleasure, and action, make the hours seem short.-25 Retire thee; go where thou art billeted: Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter: Nay, get thee gone.— ' [Exit Roderigo Two things are to be done,→ My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress; 30 I'll set her on;

Myself, the while, will 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. [Erit

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III.

that I know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he 45 desires you, of all loves, to make no more noise with it.

your pains, Something that's brief; and bid-good-morrow, [Musick plays, and enter Clown.[50 Clown. Why, masters, have your instruments been at Naples, that they speak i' the nose thus'? Mus. How, sir, how?

Clown. Are these, I pray you, call'd wind in

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Mus. Well, sir, we will not.

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

Mus. We have none such, sir.

Clown. Then put up your pipes in your bag, før I'll away: Go; vanish into air; away.

[Exeunt Mus Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Clown. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear you.

Cas. Pr'ythee, keep up thy quillets. There's a poor piece of gold for thee: if the gentlewoman

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that attends the general's wife, be stirring, tell her, there's one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech: Wilt thou do this?

Clown. She is stirring, sir; if she will stir hither, I shall seem to notify unto her. [Exit Clown.

Enter Iago.

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

Jago. 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 hun bly thank you for 't. I never knew
A Florenţine more kind and honest.
Enter Emilia.

Emil. Good morrow, good lieutenant: I am

sorry

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Cas. Ay, but, lady,

That policy may either last so long,
15 Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
That, I being absent, and my place supply'd,
My general will forget my love and service.

Des. Do not doubt that; before Æmilia here,
20I give thee warrant of thy place: assure thee,
If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it
To the last article: lord shall never rest;
I'll watch him tame, and talk him out of pa-
tience;

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, 25
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 safest occasion by the front,
To bring you in again.

Cas. Yet, I beseech you,

If f you think fit, or that it may be done,-
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone.

Emil. Pray you, come in;

I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely.

Cas. I am much bound to you.

SCENE

30

my

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. Madam, here comes my lord.
Cus. Madam, I'll take my leave.

Des. Why, stay, and hear me speak.

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

35 Unfit for mine own purposes.

[Exeunt. 40

II.

A Room in the Castle.

Enter Othello, Iugo, and Gentlemen.

Oth. These letters give, lago, to the pilot; And, by him, do my duties to the state: That done, I will be walking on the works, Repair there to me.

1451

[see 't?

50

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

SCENE III.

Another Room in the Castle.

[Exeunt.

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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?

Des. Why, your lieutenant Cassio. Good my
lord,

If I have any grace, or power to move you,
His present reconciliation take;

For, if he be not one that truly loves you, 55 That errs in ignorance, and not in cunning, I have no judgement in an honest face:

mil. Good madam, do; I know it grieves my 60

As if the case were his.

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,
To suffer with him: Good love, call him back.

It is said, that the ferocity of beasts, insuperable and irreclaimable by any other means, is subdued by keeping them from sleep.

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