your lips? would they were clyster-pipes, for your to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted (as sake. [Trumpet.] The Moor, I know his trum- it is a most pregnant and unforced position,) who pet. Cas. 'Tis truly so. Des. Let's meet him, and receive him. Enter Othello, and Attendants. Oth. O my fair warrior! My dear Othello ! Succeeds in unknown fate. O, you are well tun'd now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am. [Aside. Oth. News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd. Come, let's to the castle. How do our old acquaintance of this isle? In mine own comforts. I pr'ythee, good Iago, [Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. lago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. 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.3 The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard:-First, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him. stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune, as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further conscionable, than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming, for the better compass ing of his salt and more hidden loose affection? why, none; why, none: A slippery and subtle knave; a finder out of occasions; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself: A devilish knave! besides, the knave is handsome, young; and hath all those requisites in him, that folly and green minds look after: A pestilent complete knave; and the woman hath found him already. Rod. I cannot believe that in her; she is full of most blessed condition.' lago. Blessed fig's end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor: Blessed pudding! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? didst not mark that? Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesy. Jago. Lechery, by this hand; an index, and obseure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that their breaths embraced together. Villanous thoughts, Roderigo! when these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion: -Pish!-But, sir, be you ruled by me: I have brought you from Venice. Watch you to-night; for the command, 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 his discipline; or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister. Rod. Well. Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in choler; and, haply, with his truncheon, 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 again, but by the displanting 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 which there were no expectation of our prosperity. Rod. I will do this, if I can bring it to any opportunity. Jago. I warrant thee. Meet me by and by at the citadel: I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell. Rod. Adieu. [Exit. Rod. With him? why, 'tis not possible. Iago. Lay thy finger-thus, and let thy soul be instructed Mark me, with what violence she first loved the Moor, but for bragging, and telling her fantastical lies: And will she love him still for Is of a constant, loving, noble nature; lago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit: The Moor-howbeit that I endure him not prating? let not thy discreet heart think it. 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 inflame it, and to give 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 required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her (1) Much solicited by invitation. (2) Out of method, without order. (3) Listen to me. (4) Minds unripe. And, I dare think, he'll prove to Desdemona But partly led to diet my revenge, Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor (5) Qualities, disposition of mind. (8) To advance them. (6) Throwing a slur upon his discipline. Cas. Not to-night, good Iago; I have very poor That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,- and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well wish 458 At least into a jealousy so strong If this poor trash' of Venice, whom I trash2 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, For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too; For making him egregiously an ass, courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment. lago. O, they are our friends; but one cup; Fl drink for you. Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that was craftily qualified too, 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? lago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in. Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. [Exit Cassiu. Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, lago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, With that which he hath drunk to-night already, every man put himself into triumph; some to dance, He'll be as full of quarrel and offence some to make bonfires, each man to what sport and As my young mistress' dog. Now, my sick fool, revel his addiction leads him; for, besides these Roderigo, beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials: Whom love has turn'd almost the wrong side out So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed. and our noble general, Othello. ward, All offices are open; and there is full liberty of To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd feasting, from this present hour of five, till the bell Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch: hath told eleven. Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus, Three lads of Cyprus, -noble swelling spirits, [Exeunt. That hold their honours 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 this flock ei drunkards, SCENE III. A hall in the castle. Enter Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to- Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop, Cas. Iago hath direction what to do; Oth. Iago is most honest. Michael, good night: To-morrow, with our earliest, love, The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; Cas. Welcome, Iago: We must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock: Our 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 is a most fresh and delicate Some wine, boys! Cas. Is your Englishman so expert in his drink Iago. Why, he drinks you, with facility, you Dane dead drunk; he sweats 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 do you He was a wight of high renown, And thou art but of low degree: 'Tis pride that pulls the country down, Then take thine auld cloak about thee. Some wine, ho! Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. lago. Will you hear it again? Cas. No; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place, that does those things. Well,-Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved. Iago. It's true, good lieutenant. Cas. For mine own part, -no offence to the general, or any man of quality, -I hope to be saved. lago. And so do 1 too, 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 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 not drunk now; I can stand well enough, and speak well enough. All. Excellent well. Cas. Why, very well, then you must not think then that I am drunk. [Exit. Mon. To the platform, masters; come, let's set the watch. lago. You see this fellow, that is gone before;He is 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 him in, On some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island. Mon. But is he often thus? Iago. 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep: He'll watch the horologe a double set,1 If drink rock not his cradle. Mon. It were well, The general were put in mind of it. Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio, And looks not on his evils; Is not this true? Cas. Mon. I pray you, sir, hold your hand. Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard. Cas. Drunk! Let me go, sir, Come, come, you're drunk. [They fight. Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny! [Aside to Rod. who goes out. Nay, good lieutenant, -alas, gentlemen,- now, In quarter, and in terins like bride and groom 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 Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger; While I spare speech, which something now offends me Of all that I do know: nor know I aught Oth. Now, by heaven, Dost thou prate, rogue? My blood begins my safer guides to rule; [Striking Roderigo. Nay, good lieutenant: [Staying him. And passion, having my best judgment collied, 6 ! 1 i Shall sink in my rebuke. Give me to know Mon. If partially affin'd, or leagu'd in office, Iago. Touch me not so near: I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth, Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general. There comes a fellow, crying out for help; But men are men; the best sometimes forget:- From him that fled, some strange indignity, 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 ;- Des. What's the matter, dear? Oth. All's well now, sweeting; Come away to loser. What, man! there are 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 an imperious 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, so drunken, and so indiscreet an officer. Drunk ? and speak parrot?" and squabble? swagger? swear? and discourse fustian with one's own shadow 1-0 thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee-devil! lago. What was he that you followed with your sword? What had he done to you? Cas. I know not. lago. Is it possible? Cas. I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore.-0, that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, revel, pleasure, 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 the condition of this country stands, I could heartily wish this had not 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 all. To be now a sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! O strange!-Every inordinate cup is unblessed, and the ingredient is a devil. Iago. Come, come, good wine is a good familiar 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! lago. You, or any man living, may be drunk at some time, man. 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, and given up himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces:-confess yourself freely to her; importune her; she'll help to put Myself will be your surgeon: Lead him off. you in your place again: she is of so free, so kind, [To Montano, who is led off. so apt, so blessed a disposition, that she holds it a bed. Sir, for your hurts, fago, look with care about the town; [Exeunt all but lago and Cassio. Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant? Iago. Marry, heaven forbid! Cas. Reputation, reputation, reputation! 0, 1 have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part, sir, of myself, and what remains is bestial.My reputation, lago, my reputation. lago. As I am an honest man, I thought you had received some bodily wound; there is more offence 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 (1) Convicted by proof. (2) Related by nearness of office. vice in her goodness, not to do more than she is requested: This broken joint, between you and her husband, entreat her to splinter; and, my fortones against any lay worth naming, this crack of vour love shall grow stronger than it was before. Cas. You advise me well. lago. I protest, in the sincerity of love, and honest kindness. Cas. I think it freely; and, betimes in the morning, I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me: I am desperate of my fortunes, if they check me here. Probal to thinking, and (indeed) the course In any honest suit; she's fram'd as fruitful1 As the free elements. And then for her To win the Moor, were't 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, And out of her own goodness make the net, Enter Roderige. 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 cudgelled; and, I think, the issue will be-1 shall have so much experience for my pains: and so, with no money at all, and a little more wit, return to Venice. Iago. 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 beaten thee, And thou, by that small hurt, hath cashier'd Cassio: Away, I say; thou shalt know more hereafter; 1 Mus. Ay, marry, are they, sir. Clo. O, thereby hangs a tail. 1 Mus. Whereby hangs a tale, sir? Clo. Marry, sir, by many a wind instrument that I know. But, masters, here's money for you: and the general so likes your music, that he desires you, of all loves, to make no more noise with it. 1 Mus. Well, sir, we will not. Clo. If you have any music that may not be heard, to't again: but, as they say, to hear music, the general does not greatly care. 1 Mus. We have none such, sir. Clo. Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I'll away: Go; vanish into air; away. [Exeunt Musicians. Cas. Dost thou hear, my honest friend? Clo. No, I hear not your honest friend; I hear Nay, get thee gone. [Exit Rod.] Two things are The general, and his wife, are talking of it; Emil. Good-morrow, good lieutenant: I am sorry For your displeasure; but all will soon be well. to be done, My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress; I'll set her on; And she speaks for you stoutly: The Moor replies, That he you hurt, is of great fame in Cyprus, Myself, the while, to draw the Moor apart, And great affinity; and that, in wholesome wisdom, And bring him jump when he may Cassio find He might not but refuse you: but, he protests, he loves you; Soliciting his wife:-Ay, that's the way; And needs no other suitor, but his likings, Dull not device by coldness and delay. [Exit. To take the saf'st occasion by the front, To bring you in again. Cas. Yet, I beseech you If you think fit, or that it may be done, Give me advantage of some brief discourse With Desdemona alone. Emil. Pray you, come in; I will bestow you where you shall have time To speak your bosom freely. Cas. I am much bound to you. [Exeunt. SCENE II.-A room in the castle. Enter Othello, Iago, and Gentlemen. Oth. These letters give, Iago, to the pilot; (6) Nice distinctions. (7) The displeasure you have incurred from Othello. |