Welcome to PhiloLogic  
   home |  the ARTFL project |  download |  documentation |  sample databases |   
Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.

Previous section

Next section

SCENE X. The Castle. Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants.

Oth.
Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.
Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,

-- 370 --


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 your earliest,
Let me have speech with you. Come, my dear love,
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; [To Desd.
That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you.
—Good-night.
[Exeunt Othello and Desdemona. Enter Iago.

Cas.

Welcome, Iago. We must to the Watch.

Iago.

Not this hour, lieutenant: 'tis not yet ten o' th' clock. 8 noteOur 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.

Iago.

And, I'll warrant her, full of game.

Cas.

Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature.

Iago.

What an eye she has? methinks, it sounds a parley to provocation.

Cas.

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

Iago.

And when she speaks, is it not 9 notean alarum to love?

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.

-- 371 --

Cas.

Not to-night, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking; I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.

Iago.

Oh, they are our friends. But one cup; I'll drink for you.

Cas.

I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was 1 notecraftily qualified; 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 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, Rodorigo,
Whom love hath turn'd almost the wrong side out,
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,
2 noteThe 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.
3 note




If consequence do but approve my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.

-- 372 --

Previous section

Next section


Samuel Johnson [1765], The plays of William Shakespeare, in eight volumes, with the corrections and illustrations of Various Commentators; To which are added notes by Sam. Johnson (Printed for J. and R. Tonson [and] C. Corbet [etc.], London) [word count] [S11001].
Powered by PhiloLogic