Oth.
Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night:
Let's teach ourselves that ^note honourable stop,
Not to outsport discretion.

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

Oth.
Iago is most honest.
Michael, good night: to-morrow with your ^note earliest ^note
Let me have speech with you. Come, my dear love,
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
That ^note profit 's ^note yet to come 'tween ^note me and you.
Good night. ^note [Exeunt ^note Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. Enter Iago.

Cas.
Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.

Iago.

Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock ^note. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona; who ^note let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night with her, and she is sport for Jove.

Cas.

She 's ^note a most exquisite lady.

Iago.

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

Cas.

Indeed she's ^note a most fresh and delicate creature.

Iago.

What an eye she has! ^note methinks it sounds a parley to ^note provocation. ^note

Cas.

An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest.

Iago.

And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? ^{note note}

Cas.

She is indeed perfection.

Iago.

Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup ^note of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus ^note gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of ^note black Othello.

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.

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

Cas.

I have ^note drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualified too ^note, and behold what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate ^note 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.

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' ^note dog. Now my sick fool ^note Roderigo, ^note

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

Cas.

'Fore ^note God ^note, they have given me a rouse already.

Mon.

Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier. ^note

Iago.
Some wine, ho!

[Sings ^note]
  And let me the canakin clink, clink ^note;
  And let me the canakin clink ^note:

    A soldier's a man;
    A life's ^note but a span; ^note
  Why then let a soldier drink. ^{note note}
Some wine ^note, boys!

Cas.

'Fore God ^note, 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 ^noteyour English ^note.

Cas.

Is your Englishman ^note so expert ^note in his drinking?

Iago.

Why, he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk; he sweats ^note 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 ^note do you justice.

Iago.
O sweet England!

[Sings]
King Stephen was a ^note worthy peer, ^note
  His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them ^note sixpence all too ^note 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 ^note take thine ^note auld ^note cloak about thee. ^note
Some wine, ho!

Cas.

Why ^note, this is a more exquisite song than the other.

Iago.

Will you hear't again?

Cas.

No; for I hold him to be ^note unworthy of his place that does those things. Well: ^note God's ^note above all; and there be souls must be ^note saved, and there be souls must not be saved. ^note

Iago.

It's ^note 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 do I too ^note, lieutenant.

Cas.

Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient. Let's have ^note no more of this; let's to our affairs. God ^note forgive us ^note 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 ^note my left ^note. I am not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and ^note speak well enough.

All. ^note

Excellent well.

Cas.

Why ^note, very well then; you must not think then ^note that I am drunk.

Mon.
To the platform ^note, masters; come, let's set ^note the watch.

Iago.
You see this fellow that is gone before;
He is ^note a soldier fit to stand by Cæsar
And give direction: and do but see his vice;
'Tis to his virtue ^note a just equinox,

The one as long as the other: 'tis pity of him.
I fear the trust Othello puts ^note him in ^note
On some odd time of his infirmity
Will shake this island ^note.

Mon.
But is he often thus?

Iago.
'Tis evermore the ^note prologue to his sleep:
He'll watch the horologe ^note a double set,
If drink rock not his cradle.

Mon.
It were ^note well
The general were ^note put in mind of it.
Perhaps he sees it not, or his good nature
Prizes ^note the virtue ^note that appears in Cassio
And looks ^note not on his evils: is not this ^note true? Enter Roderigo. ^note

Iago. [Aside to him ^note]
How now, Roderigo!
I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Exit Roderigo. ^note

Mon.
And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place as his own second
With one of an ^note ingraft infirmity:
It were an honest action to say
So to ^note the Moor. ^{note note}

Iago.
Not I ^note, for this fair island:
I do love Cassio well, and would do much

To cure him of this evil:—But ^note, hark! what noise? [A cry within: ‘Help! help!’ ^note Re-enter ^note Cassio, driving in ^note Roderigo.

Cas.

'Zounds! ^note you rogue! you rascal!

Mon.

What's the matter, lieutenant?

Cas.

A knave teach ^note me my duty! But ^note I'll beat the knave into a wicker bottle ^note.

Rod.

Beat me! ^note

Cas.

Dost thou prate, rogue?

Mon.

Nay ^note, good lieutenant ^note; I pray you, sir ^note, hold your hand.

Cas.

Let me go, sir, or I'll knock ^note you o'er ^note the mazzard.

Mon.

Come, come, you're ^note drunk. ^note

Cas.

Drunk!

Iago. [Aside ^note to Roderigo]
Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny. [Exit Roderigo. ^note
Nay, good lieutenant! God's will ^note, gentlemen!
Help, ho!—Lieutenant,—sir,—Montano—sir;— ^note

Help, masters ^note!—Here's a goodly watch indeed! [A bell rings. ^note
Who's that that ^note rings the bell?—Diablo, ho!
The town will rise: God's will ^note, lieutenant, hold ^note; ^note
You will be shamed ^note for ever. ^noteRe-enter ^note Othello and Attendants.

Oth.
What is ^note the matter here? ^note

Mon.
'Zounds ^note, I bleed still; I am hurt to ^note the death. [Faints. ^{note note}

Oth.
Hold, for your lives!

Iago.
Hold, ho! ^note Lieutenant,—sir,—Montano,— ^notegentlemen,—
Have you forgot all sense of place ^note and duty?
Hold! ^note the general speaks to you; hold, hold, ^note for shame!

Oth.
Why, how now, ho! from whence ariseth ^note this?
Are we turn'd Turks, and to ourselves do that
Which heaven hath ^note forbid the Ottomites?

For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
He that stirs next to carve for ^note 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 ^note the matter, masters ^note?
Honest Iago, that look'st ^note dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? ^note on thy love, I charge thee.

Iago.
I do not ^note know: friends all but now, even now,
In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
Devesting ^note them for bed ^note; and then ^note, but now,
As if some planet had unwitted men ^note,
Swords ^note out, and tilting one at other's breast ^note,
In opposition bloody. I cannot ^note speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds;
And would in action glorious I had lost
Those ^note legs that brought me to a part of it!

Oth.
How comes it, Michael, you are ^note thus forgot?

Cas.
I pray you, pardon me; I cannot speak.

Oth.
Worthy Montano ^note, you were wont be ^note civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths ^note of wisest censure: what's the matter,
That you unlace ^note your reputation thus,
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? give me answer to it ^note.

Mon.
Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger:
Your officer, Iago, can inform you—
While I spare speech, which something now offends me ^note—

Of all that I do know: nor know I aught
By me ^note that's said ^note or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity be sometimes ^note 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 ^note,
Assays to lead the way: if I once ^note 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 approved in this ^note offence,
Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth,
Shall ^note lose ^note me ^note. What! in ^note a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel, ^note
In night, and on the court and guard of ^note safety!
'Tis monstrous. Iago ^note, who began 't ^note?

Mon.
If partially ^note affined, or leagued ^note in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no ^note soldier.

Iago.
Touch me not so near:
I had ^note rather have ^note this tongue cut from my ^note mouth

Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth ^note
Shall nothing wrong him ^note. Thus ^note it is ^note, general.
Montano and myself being in speech,
There comes a fellow crying out for help,
And Cassio following him ^note with determined sword,
To execute upon him. Sir, this gentleman
Steps in to ^note 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,
Outran my purpose; and ^note I return'd the ^note rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
And Cassio high in oath ^note; which till to-night
I ne'er might say ^note 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 ^note report:
But men are men; the best sometimes forget:
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him,
As men in rage strike those ^note that wish them best,
Yet surely Cassio, I believe, received
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. Re-enter ^note Desdemona, attended.
Look, if my gentle love be not raised up!

I'll make thee an example.

Des.
What's ^note the matter? ^note

Oth.
All's ^note well now, sweeting ^note; come away ^note to bed.
Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon:
Lead him off ^note. ^note [To Montano ^note, who is led off.
Iago, look with care about the town,
And silence those whom this vile ^note brawl ^note distracted.
Come, Desdemona: 'tis the soldiers' life
To have their balmy slumbers waked with strife. [Exeunt ^note all but Iago and Cassio. ^note

Iago.

What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

Cas.

Ay, ^note past all surgery.

Iago.

Marry, heaven ^note forbid!

Cas.

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

Iago.

As I am an honest man, I thought ^note you had received some bodily wound; there is more sense ^note 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 ^note 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 ^note an imperious ^note 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 ^note, so drunken, and so ^note indiscreet an officer. Drunk? and speak parrot ^note? and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one's own shadow? ^note O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou ^note hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!

Iago.

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

Cas.

I know not.

Iago.

Is 't possible?

Cas.

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

Iago.

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.

Iago.

Come, you are too severe a moraler: as the time, the place, and ^note the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not ^note 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 ^note all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool ^note, and presently a beast! O strange! ^note Every inordinate ^note cup is unblest, and the ingredient ^note is a devil.

Iago.

Come, come, good wine is a good familiar ^note 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 ^note, man ^note. I'll ^note 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 ^note devoted and given up himself to the contemplation, mark ^note and denotement ^note of her parts and graces: confess yourself freely to her; importune her help ^note to put you in your place again: she is of so free ^note, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she ^note holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested: this broken joint ^note between you and her husband entreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger ^note than it was ^note before.

Cas.

You advise me well.

Iago.

I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest ^note kindness.

Cas.

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

Iago.

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

Cas.

Good night, honest Iago.

Iago.
And what's he then that says I play the villain? ^note
When this advice is free I give and honest,
Probal ^note to thinking, and indeed the course
To win the Moor again? For 'tis most easy ^note
The inclining Desdemona to subdue
In any honest suit. She's ^note framed as fruitful
As the free elements. And then for her
To win the Moor, were't ^note 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 ^note I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly ^note to his good? Divinity of hell! ^{note note}
When devils will the ^note blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now: for whiles ^note this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes ^note,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for ^note 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 ^note them ^note all. Enter ^note Roderigo.
How now, Roderigo! ^{note note}

Rod.

I do ^note follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that fills up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have ^note been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled; and ^note 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 again to Venice. ^note

Iago.
How poor are they that have not patience!
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
Thou know'st ^note we work by wit and not by witchcraft,
And wit depends on dilatory time.
Does't ^note not go well? Cassio hath ^note beaten thee,
And thou by that small hurt hast ^note cashier'd Cassio:
Though other things grow ^note fair against the sun,
Yet ^note fruits that blossom first will first be ripe ^note:
Content thyself awhile. By the mass ^note, 'tis morning;
Pleasure and action make the hours ^note seem short.
Retire thee; go where thou art billeted:
Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter:
Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Rod. ^note] Two ^note things are to be done: ^note

My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress;
I'll set her on; ^{note note}
Myself the while ^note to draw ^{note note} the Moor apart, ^note
And bring him jump when ^note he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife: ay, that's the way;
Dull not device ^note by coldness and delay. [Exit. ^note

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