Enter Othello, Cassio, Desdemona, and Attendants.

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

Cas.
Iago hath direction ^note 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;
That profit's yet to come 'twixt ^note me and you.—
Good night. [Exeunt Oth. Des. and Att. Enter Iago.

Cas.

Welcome, Iago; we must to the watch.

Iag.

Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' clock: Our general cast us thus early, for the love of his Desdemona: whom let ^note 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.

Iag.

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

Cas.

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

Iag.

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

Cas.

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

Iag.

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

Cas.

She is ^note, indeed, perfection.

Iag.

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 black ^note 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.

Iag.

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

Cas.

I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualify'd too, and, behold, what innovation it makes here: I am unfortunate ^note in the infirmity, and dare not task my weakness with any more.

Iag.

What, man! 'tis a night of revels; the gallants desire it.

Cas.

Where are they?

Iag.

Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.

Cas.

I'll do't; but it dislikes me.

Iag.
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,
Whom love hath turn'd ^note almost the wrong side out ^note,
To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd
Potations pottle deep; and he's to watch:
Three else of ^note 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 watch too. Now, 'mongst ^note this flock of drunkards,
Am I to put our Cassio in some ^note action
That may offend the isle;—But here they come: Re-enter Cassio; Montano, and Others, with him.

If consequence do but approve my deem, ^note
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream. [meeting them.

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

Mon.
Good faith, a little one; not past a pint,
As I'm a soldier.

Iag.
Some wine, ho!— [sings.

And let me the canakin clink, clink, clink;
  and let me the canakin clink:
    a soldier's a man;
    a life's but ^note a span;
  why then, let a soldier drink.
Some wine, boys! [Wine brought in.

Cas.

'Fore God, ^note an excellent song.

Iag.

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

Cas.

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

Iag.

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 fill'd.

Cas.

To the health of our general.

Mon.

I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.

Iag.
O sweet England! [sings.

1.
King Stephen was a ^note worthy peer14Q1501,
  his breeches cost him but a crown;
he held them six-pence all too dear,
  with that he call'd the taylor—lown.

2.
He was a wight of high renown,
  and thou art but of low degree:
'tis pride that pulls the country down,
  then take thine ^note auld ^note cloke about thee.
Some wine, ho!

Cas.

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

Iag.

Will you hear't again?

Cas.

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

Iag.

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.

Iag.

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 no more of this; let's to our affairs.—Forgive ^note 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 ^note not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and speak ^note well enough.

all.

Excellent well.

Cas.

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

Mon.
To the plat-form, masters; come, let's set the watch.

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

Mon.
But is he often thus?

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

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

&clquo;Iag.
&clquo;How now, Roderigo?&crquo;
&clquo;I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.&crquo; [pushing him out.

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
Unto the Moor.

Iag.
Not I, for this fair island:
I do love Cassio well; and would do much,
To cure him of this evil. But hark! what noise? Cry, within,—Help, help!—Re-enter Cassio, driving in Roderigo.

Cas.
You rogue! you ^note rascal!

Mon.
What's the matter, lieutenant?

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

Rod.
Beat me!

Cas.
Dost thou prate, rogue? [beats Roderigo.

Mon.
Nay ^note, good lieutenant; [staying him.
I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

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

Mon.
Come, come, you're drunk.

Cas.
Drunk? [draws upon Mon. and they fight.

&clquo;Iag.
&clquo;Away, I say! go out, and cry—a mutiny.&crquo; [to Roderigo, who goes out.
Nay, good lieutenant,—alas, gentlemen ^note,—
Help, ho!—Lieutenant,—sir,—Montano,—sir; ^note—
Help, masters ^note!—Here's a goodly watch, indeed!— [Bell rung.
Who's that that rings ^note the bell?—Diablo, ho!
The town will rise:—God's-will, lieutenant ^note, hold ^note;
You will ^note be sham'd for ever. [taking him off. Enter Othello, and Gentlemen, with Weapons.

Oth.
What is the matter here?

Mon.
I bleed still, I ^note am hurt to the death; ^note;—he dies. [assailing Cassio again.

Oth.
Hold, for your lives.

Iag.
Hold, ho!—Lieutenant ^note,—sir,—Montano,—gentlemen,—
Have you forgot all sense of place ^note and duty?
Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, 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 forbid the Ottomites?
For christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl:
He that stirs next to carve for his ^note own rage,
Holds his soul light; he dies upon his motion.— [they are parted.

Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle
From her propriety.—What is ^note the matter, masters?—
Honest Iago, that look'st ^note dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee.

Iag.
I do not know; friends all but now, even now,
In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
Divesting them to bed: and then ^note, but now,—
As if some planet had unwitted men,—
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast ^note,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds;
And 'would in action glorious I had lost
These ^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, you were wont be ^note civil;
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted, and your name is great
In mouths of ^note 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't ^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 that's said or done amiss this night;
Unless self-charity be sometime ^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 judgment quell'd, ^{note note}
Assays to lead the way:14Q1502 if I once stir ^note,
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 approv'd in this offence,
Though he had twin'd with me, both at a birth,
Shall loosen ^note me. What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimfull of fear,
To manage private and domestick quarrel ^note,
In night, and on the court of guard ^note and safety!
'Tis monsterous.—Iago, who began't? ^note

Mon.
If partially ^note affin'd, or leagu'd ^note in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

Iag.
Touch me not so near:
I had rather have this tongue cut ^note from my mouth,
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio;
Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the ^note truth
Shall nothing wrong him.—Thus ^note 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 ^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,
Out-ran my purpose; and I return'd the rather ^note
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 before ^note: 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 ^note 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 ^note?

Oth.
All's well now ^note, sweeting:
Come, let's away to bed.—Sir, [to Mon.] for your hurts,
Myself will be your surgeon:—lead him off.— [Exeunt Some with Montano.
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. [Exit; with Des. Gen. &c.

Iag.

What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

Cas.

Ay, past all surgery.

Iag.

Marry, heaven forbid ^note!

Cas.

Reputation, reputation, I ^note have lost my reputation; I have lost the immortal part of ^note myself, and what

remains is bestial.—My reputation, Iago, my reputation.

Iag.

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

Iag.

What was he that you follow'd with your sword? What had he done to you?

Cas.

I know not.

Iag.

Is't possible?

Cas.

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

Iag.

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 myself.

Iag.

Come, you are too severe a moraler: As the time, the place, and ^note the condition of this country stands. I could heartily with this had not befall'n ^note; 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 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 ingredience ^note is a devil.

Iag.

Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well us'd; exclaim no more against it. And, good lieutenant, I think, you think I love you:

Cas.

I have well approved it, sir.—I drunk!

Iag.

You, or any man living, may be drunk at some time ^note, man ^note. I'll 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 devoted ^note and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement ^note, of her parts and graces:—confess yourself freely to her, impórtune her help to ^note put you in your place again; she is of so ^note 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 ^note you and her husband, entreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lay worth naming, this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before.

Cas.

You advise me well.

Iag.

I protest, in the sincerity of love, and honest 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.

Iag.

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

Cas.

Good night, honest Iago.

Iag.
And what's he then,14Q1503 that says—I play the villain?
When this advice is free I give, and honest,
Probable ^note 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
To win the Moor,—were't to ^note 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 I then a villain,
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest ^note sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shews,
As I do now: For, while ^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 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 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 cudgel'd; 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 ^note, return again ^note to Venice.

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

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