He held them sixpence all too dear, He was a wight of high renown, And thou art but of low degree: Some wine, ho! Cas. Why, this is a more exquisite song than the other. 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 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, nor any man of quality,-I hope to be saved. Iago. And so do I 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!-Gentle 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:-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. Iago. 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, 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 And looks not on his evils: is not this true? Enter RODERIGO. Iago. How now, Roderigo! I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Aside to him. [Exit Roderigo. Mon. And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor Should hazard such a place as his own second With one of an ingraft infirmity : It were an honest action to say So to the Moor. Iago. 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!"(29) Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO. Cas. You rogue! you rascal! What's the matter, lieutenant? Cas. A knave teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. [They fight. I pray you, sir, hold your hand. Cas. Or I'll knock you o'er the mazard. Mon. Cas. Drunk! Iago. Away, I say; go out, and cry a mutiny! [Aside to Roderigo, who goes out. Nay, good lieutenant,-alas, gentlemen ; Help, ho!-Lieutenant,-sir,-Montano,-sir;—(30) Help, masters!—Here's a goodly watch indeed! [Bell rings. The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant, hold; Oth. Re-enter OTHELLO and Attendants. What is the matter here? Mon. Zounds, I bleed still; I am hurt to the death.(32) Oth. Hold, for your lives! Iago. Hold, ho! Lieutenant, sir,—Montano,-gentle men, Have you forgot all sense of place and duty ?(33) Iago. I do not know :-friends all but now, even now, Those legs that brought me to a part of it! Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? The gravity and stillness of your youth In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter, And spend your rich opinion for the name Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger : While I spare speech, which something now offends me,- By me that's said or done amiss this night; And to defend ourselves it be a sin When violence assails us. Oth. Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule; Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth, In night, and on the court and guard of safety! (5) Mon. If partially affin'd, or leagu'd (36) in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth, Thou art no soldier. Iago. Touch me not so near: I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth Shall nothing wrong him. Thus it is, general. 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 Cassio, and entreats his pause: The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot, And Cassio high in oath; I ne'er might say before. which till to-night (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 report : But men are men; the best sometimes forget:- 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; Re-enter DESDEMONA, attended. Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up! I'll make thee an example. Des. What's the matter? Oth. All's well now, sweeting; come away to bed.Sir, for your hurts, myself will be your surgeon: Lead him off. [To Montano, who is led off. 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. [Exeunt all except Iago and Cassio. Iago. What, are you hurt, lieutenant? Cas. Ay, past all surgery. Iago. Marry, heaven forbid! Cas. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost |