Mon.
What from the cape can you discern at sea?

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

Mon.
Methinks, the wind hath spoke ^note aloud at land ^note;
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements:
If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt ^note on them,

Can hold the mortice? What shall we hear of this?

2. G.
A segregation of the Turkish fleet:
For do but stand upon the foaming shore ^note,
The chiding ^note billow seems ^note to pelt the clouds;
The wind-shak'd surge, with high and monstrous main,
Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards14Q1497 of the ever-fixed ^note pole:
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafed flood.

Mon.
If that the Turkish fleet
Be not inshelter'd, and embay'd, they are drown'd;
It is impossible they bear ^note it out. Enter a third Gentleman.

3. G.
News, lads! ^note our ^note wars are done;
The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks ^note,
That their designment halts: A noble ship ^note of Venice
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
On most part of their fleet ^note.

Mon.
How! is this true?

3. G.
The ship is here put in,
A Veronese ^note; Michael Cassio,
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello,
Is come on shore ^note: 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. G.
But this same Cassio,—though he speak of comfort,
Touching the Turkish loss,—yet he looks sadly,
And prays ^note the Moor be safe; for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest.

Mon.
Pray heaven ^note he be;
For I have serv'd him, and the man commands

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 th' aerial blue, ^note
An indistinct regard.

3. G.
Come, let's do so;
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance ^note. [going. Enter Cassio: the Others run and salute him.

Cas.
Thanks to the ^note valiant of this warlike isle,
That so approve the Moor; O, let ^note the heavens
Give him defence against the elements ^note,
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea!

Mon.
Is he well ship'd?

Cas.
His bark is stoutly timber'd, and his pilot ^note
Of very expert and approv'd allowance;
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
Stand in bold cure. Enter another Gentleman.

4. G.
A sail! ^note a sail! a sail!

Cas.
What news? ^note

4. G.
The town is empty; on the brow o' the sea
Stand ^note ranks of people, and they cry—a sail.

Cas.
My hopes do shape him for the governor. ^note [Guns heard.

2. G.
They do discharge their shot ^note of courtesy;
Our friends ^note, at least.

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

2. G.
I shall. [Exit.

Mon.
But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd?

Cas.
Most fortunately: he hath atchiev'd a maid,
That paragons description, and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks of ^note blazoning pens,
And, in the essential vesture of creation,
Does tire the inventer. ^note14Q1498—Now? ^note who has put in? Re-enter second Gentleman.

2. G.
'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general.

Cas. ^note
He has ^note had most fav'rable ^note and happy speed:
Tempest themselves, high seas ^note, and howling winds,
The guttur'd ^note rocks, and congregated sands,—
Traitors ensteep'd ^note, to enclog ^note the guiltless keel,—
As having sense of beauty, do omit
Their mortal natures ^note, letting safe go by ^note
The divine Desdemona.

Mon.
What is she?

Cas.
She that I spake ^note of, our great captain's captain,
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A se'n-night'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,
Makes love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms ^note,
Give renew'd fire to our extincted ^note spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort ^note!—O, behold, Enter Desdemona, Emilia, Iago, Roderigo, and Others; Attendants, and People following.
The riches of the ship is come on shore ^note!—
You men ^note 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 ^note arriv'd; nor know I aught,
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.

Des.
O, but I fear;—How lost you company?

Cas.
The great contention of the sea ^note and skies
Parted our fellowship: But, hark! a sail. [Cry within, of—A sail! a sail: afterwards, Guns.

2. G.
They give their greeting to the citadel;
This likewise is a friend.

Cas.
See for the news.— ^note [Exit Gentleman.
Good ancient, you are welcome;—Welcome, mistress:— [to Emilia.
Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding,
That gives me this bold shew of courtesy. [saluting her.

Iag.
Sir, would she give you so much of her lips,
As of her tongue she oft bestows ^note on me ^note,
You'd ^note have enough.

Des.
Alas, she has no speech.

Iag.
In faith, too ^note much;
I find it still, when ^note I have list to ^note sleep:
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
And chides with thinking.

Emi.
You have little cause to say so.

Iag.
Come on, come on; you are pictures out o'doors ^note,
Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your huswifry, and huswives in your bells.

Des. ^note
O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

Iag.
Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk;

You rise to play, and go to bed to work.

Emi.
You shall not write my praise.

Iag.
No, let me not.

Des.
What wouldst thou write ^note of me, if thou shouldst praise me?

Iag.
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?

Iag.
Ay, madam.

Des.
I am not merry; but I do beguile
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.—
Come, how wouldst thou praise me?

Iag.
I am about it; but, indeed ^note, my invention
Comes from my pate, as bird-lime does from freeze,
It plucks out brains ^note and all: But my muse labours,
And thus she is deliver'd.
  If she be fair, and wise,—fairness, and wit,
The one's for use, the other useth it ^note.

Des.
Well prais'd: How if she be black and witty?

Iag.
If she be black, and thereto have a wit,
She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit ^note.

Des.
Worse and worse.

Emi.
How, if fair and foolish?

Iag.
She never yet was foolish, that was fair;
For even her folly help'd her to an heir ^note.

Des.

These are old fond paradoxes, to make fools laugh i' the ale-house. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul and foolish?

Iag.
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 ^note worst best. But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed? one, that, in the authority of her

merit ^note, did justly put on the vouch14Q1499 of very malice itself?

Iag.
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,
Bad her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly;
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 ^note disclose her mind,
See suitors following, and not look behind; ^note
She was a wight ^note,—if ever such wight were,—

Des.

To do what?

Iag.
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.— How say you, Cassio? is he not a most prophane and liberal censurer ^note?

Cas.

He speaks home, madam; you may relish him more in the soldier, than in the scholar ^note.

&clquo;Iag.

&clquo;He takes her by the palm: [observing them.] Ay, well said, whisper; with ^note as little a web as this, will I ^note ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve thee in thine own ^note 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 kiss'd your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very ^note good; well kiss'd, and excellent ^note courtesy: 'tis so ^note, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your ^note lips? would,

they were clyster-pipes for your sake!&crquo;—

Cas.

'Tis truly so.

Des.

Let's meet him, and receive him.

Cas.

Lo, where he comes.

Oth.
O my fair warrior!

Des.
My dear Othello! [embracing.

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 ^note such calms ^note,
May the winds blow 'till they have waken'd death!
And let the lab'ring 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.

Des.
The heavens forbid,
But that our loves and comforts should encrease,
Even as our days do grow!

Oth.
Amen to that, sweet powers ^note!—
I cannot speak enough of this content,
It stops me here; it is too much of joy:
And this, and this, [kissing] the greatest discords be,
That e'er our hearts shall make!

&clquo;Iag.
&clquo;O, you are well-tun'd now!&crquo;
&clquo;But I'll let ^note down the pegs that make ^note this musick,&crquo;
&clquo;As honest as I am.&crquo;

Oth.
Come, let's to the castle.—

News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.
How does my old ^note acquaintance of this isle ^note?— [to Montano.
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 doat
In mine own comforts.—I pr'ythee, good Iago,
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers ^note:
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect.—Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus. [Exeunt Oth. Des. Emi. Mon. Gen. and Att.

Iag.

Do you ^note meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither ^note; [calling him back.] If thou be'st valiant,—as (they say) base men, being in love, have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them,—list me. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard:—First, I must tell ^note thee this,—Desdemona is directly in love with him.

Rod.

With him! why, 'tis not possible.

Iag.

Lay thy finger † thus, and let thy soul be instructed. Mark me with what violence she first ^note lov'd the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies: ^note To love him still for prating! let not thy discreet heart think it. ^note 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 ^note enflame it, and to give ^note 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 requir'd conveniences, her delicate tenderness

will find itself abus'd, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will instruct her in it ^note, and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted, (as it is a most pregnant and unforc'd position) who stands so eminently ^note in the degree of this fortune, as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further ^note conscionable, than in putting on the meer form of civil and humane ^note seeming, for the better compassing ^note of his salt and most hidden ^note loose ^note affection ^note? why, none; why, none: A slippery and subtle knave ^note; a finder-out of ^note occasions; that has an ^note eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: A devilish knave ^note: besides, the knave is handsome, young; and hath all those requisites in him, that folly and green minds look after: A pestilent compleat knave; and the woman hath found him already.

Rod.

I cannot believe that in her; she is full of most blest condition. ^note

Iag.

Blest fig's end! the wine she drinks ^note is made of grapes: if she had been blest, she would never have lov'd the Moor; Blest pudding! ^note Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst not mark that? ^note

Rod.

Yes; but ^note that was but courtesy.

Iag.

Letchery, by this hand; an index, and obscure ^note prologue, to the history of lust and foul thoughts: they met so near with their lips, that their breaths embrac'd together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! ^note when these mutualities ^note so marshal the way, hard at hand ^note comes the master and ^note main exercise, the incorporate ^note conclusion: Pish! ^note But, sir, be you rul'd by me; I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command ^note, 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 ^note his discipline; or from what other course ^note you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.

Rod.

Well.

Iag.

Sir, he is ^note rash, and very sudden in choler; and, haply ^note, 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 ^note again ^note, but by the displanting ^note of Cassio. So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires, by the means I shall then have to prefer them; and the impediment most profitably removed, without the ^note which there were no expectation of our prosperity.

Rod.

I will do this, if I can ^note bring it to any opportunity.

Iag.

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

Rod.

Adieu.

Iag.
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe't ^note;
That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit:
The Moor—howbeit that I endure him not,—
Is of a constant, loving, noble ^note 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 ^note Moor
Hath lept into my seat: the thought whereof
Doth, like a pois'nous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or ^note shall content my soul,

'Till I am even'd ^note with him, wife for wife;
Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do14Q1500,—
If this poor trash ^note of Venice, whom I trace
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 ^note,—
For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;
Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me,
For 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.

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