Perhaps, he sees it not; or his good nature Enter RODErigo. Iago. How now, 'Roderigo? I pray you, after the lieutenant; go. [Aside. [Exit Rop. 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 Re-enter CASSIO, driving in RODERIGO. [Cry within,-Help! help! What's the matter, lieutenant? Cas. You rogue! you rascal! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. Rod. Beat me! Let me go, sir, Come, come, you 're drunk. Cas. Drunk! [They fight. I pray you, sir, hold your hand. Cas. Or I 'll knock you o'er the mazzard. Mon. Iago. Away, I say! go out, and cry-a mutiny. Nay, good lieutenant, alas, gentlemen,- Who's that that rings the bell?-Diablo, ho! 1 Oth. Enter OTHELLO, and Attendants. What is the matter here? Mon. I bleed still, I am hurt to the death;-he dies. Oth. Hold, for your lives. Iago. Hold, hold, lieutenant, sir, Montano,-gentlemen, Have you forgot all sense of place and duty? Hold, hold! the general speaks to you; hold, for shame! From her propriety.-What is the matter, masters?— In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast, In opposition bloody. I cannot speak Any beginning to this peevish odds; Oth. How comes it, Michael, you are thus forgot? The world hath noted, and your name is great And spend your rich opinion, for the name Mon. Worthy Othello, I am hurt to danger; Your officer, Iago, can inform you While I spare speech, which something now offends me, Of all that I do know: nor know I aught By me that 's said or done amiss this night; When violence assails us. Oth. Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule; And passion, having my best judgment collied, Assays to lead the way: If I once 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 approv'd in this offence, Though he had twinn'd with me, both at a birth, Shall lose me.-What! in a town of war, Yet wild, the people's hearts brim full of fear, To manage private and domestick quarrel, In night, and on the court and guard of safety! 'Tis monstrous.-Iago, who began it? Mon. If partially affin'd, or leagu'd in office, Thou dost deliver more or less than truth, Thou art nó soldier. . Iago. Touch me not so near: I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth, There comes a fellow, crying out for help; E When you yourself did part them. More of this matter can I not report : 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, Enter DESDEMONA, attended. Look, if my gentle love be not rais'd up ; I'll make thee an example. Des. What's the matter, dear? Oth. All's well now, sweeting; Come away to bed. Sir, for your hurts, Myself will be your surgeon: Lead him off. [To MON. 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 but 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 my reputation! I have lost the immortal part, sir, of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation. Iago. 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 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?-O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call theedevil! followed with your sword? you Iago. What was he that Cas. I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore.-O, 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 ! Iago. 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 |