Oth.
What is the matter here?

Mont.
I bleed still: I am hurt to the death.

Oth.
Hold, for your lives.

Iago.
Hold, ho! lieutenant—Sir—Montano—Gentlemen—
Have you forgot ^{8 note}
all sense of place and duty?
The General speaks to you. Hold, 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; ^{9 note}
it frights the isle
From her propriety. What is the matter?
Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.

Iago.
I do not know. Friends all, but now, even now
^{1 note}In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
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 can't speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds,
And, 'would, in action glorious I had lost
Those 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,
^{2 note}That you unlace your reputation thus,
And ^{3 note}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, Iago, can inform you,
While I spare speech, which something now offends me,
Of all that I do know; nor know I aught
By me that's said or done amiss this night,
Unless ^{4 note}self-charity be sometimes 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 judgment choler'd,
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
How this foul rout began; who set it on;
And ^{5 note}he, that is approv'd in this offence,
Tho' 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,
To manage private and domestick quarrel
In night, and on the Court of Guard and Safety?

'Tis monstrous. Say, 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.

Iago.
Touch me not so near:
I'd 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 'tis, General:
Montano and myself being in speech,
There comes a fellow crying out for help,
And Cassio following with determin'd sword,
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio, and intreats 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,
Out-ran my purpose. 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 cannot I report.
But men are men; the best sometimes forget;
Tho' 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's the matter?

Oth.
All is well. Here, Sweeting, come away to bed.
Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon. [To Montano.
Lead him off.
Iago, look with care about the town,
And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.
Come, Desdemona, 'tis the soldiers' life,
To have their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife. [Exeunt.

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