She that could think, and ne'er disclose her mind;
See suitors following, and not look behind:
She was a wight, if ever such wight were,—
Des. To do what?

Iago. 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 profane and liberal counsellor?

Cas. He speaks home, madam: you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar.

Iago [aside]. He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper: with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do: I will gyve thee in thine own courtship. You say true! 't is so, indeed. If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantcy, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good: well kissed! an excellent courtesy! 'tis so, indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? would they were clysterpipes for your sake!-[Trumpet]. The Moor; I know his trumpet.

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 such calms,
May the winds blow till they have wakened death:
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas,
Olympus-high; and duck again as low

As hell's from heaven! If it were now to die,
'T were 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.

But that our loves and comforts should increase, Even as our days do grow!

Oth. Amen to that, sweet powers!I cannot speak enough of this content, It stops me here; it is too much of joy: And this, and this, the greatest discords be, That e'er our hearts shall make! [Kissing her. Iago. O, you are well tuned now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am. [Aside.

Oth. Come, let's to the castle.News, friends: our wars are done; the Turks are drowned.

How do our old acquaintance of this isle?—

Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus;
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote
In mine own comforts.-I pr'y thee, good Iago,
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers:
Bring thou the master to the citadel;
He is a good one, and his worthiness
Does challenge much respect.-Come, Desde-

mona:

Once more well met at Cyprus. [Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants.

Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither:-if thou beest valiant (as they say, base men, being in love, have then a nobility in their natures more then is native to them), list me. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard :-first, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him. 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 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 to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted (as it is a most pregnant and unforced position), who 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 compassing of his salt and most 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.

Iago. 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. Iago. Lechery, by this hand; an index and obscure 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.

Iago. I warrant thee. Meet me by-and-by at the citadel. I must fetch his necessaries ashore. Farewell.

Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it; That she loves him, 't is apt and of great credit: The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not, Is of a constant, loving, noble 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 Moor Hath leaped into my seat: the thought whereof Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards; And nothing can or shall content my soul Tiil I am even 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 do,— If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash 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: 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.-'T is here, but yet confused:
Knavery's plain face is never seen till used. [Exit.

SCENE II-A Street.

Enter a Herald, with a proclamation: People following.

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet, every man put himself into triumph some to dance, some to make bonfires; each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him for, besides these beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials. So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed.—All offices are open, and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell hath told eleven. Heaven bless the Isle of Cyprus, and our noble general, Othello!

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-A Hall in the Castle.
Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, CASSIO, and
Attendants.

Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight:

Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Not to outsport discretion.

Cas. Iago hath direction 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;
[TO DESDEMONA.
That profit's yet to come 'twixt me and you.-
Good night.
[Exeunt OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, and Attendants.
Enter IAGO.

Cas. Welcome, Iago. We must to the watch. Iago. Not this hour, lieutenant: 't is 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

creature.

Iago. What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of provocation.

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

Iago. And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?

Cas. She is indeed perfection.

Iago. 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 the black 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.

Iago. 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 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! 't is a night of revels: the gallants desire it.

Cas. Where are they?

Iago. Here at the door : I pray you, call them in. Cas. I'll do it; but it dislikes me. [Exit. Iago. 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 has turned almost the wrong side outward,

To Desdemona hath to-night caroused
Potations pottle deep: and he 's to watch.
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits,
That holds their honours in a wary distance,
The very elements of this warlike isle,—
Have I to-night flustered with flowing cups:
And they watch too. Now, 'mongst this flock of
drunkards,

Am I to put our Cassio in some action

Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song. Iago. I learned it in England, where indeed they are most potent in potting: your Dane, your German, and your swag-bellied Hollander, Drink, ho!-are nothing to your English.

Cas. Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking?

Iago. Why, he drinks you with facility your 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 justice.

Iago. O sweet England!

Sings.

King Stephen was a worthy peer,

His breeches cost him but a crown:
He held them sixpence all to dear;
With that he called the tailor lown.
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.

Iago. 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 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!-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.

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 th' other: 't is pity of him.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in,

On some odd time of his infirmity,
Will shake this island.

Oth. Why, how now, ho!-from whence ariseth this?

Are we turned 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 own rage,
Holds his soul light: he dies upon his motion.-
Silence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle
From her propriety.-What is the matter, mas-

ters?

Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, Speak, who began this? on thy love I charge thee. Iago. I do not know:-friends all but now,

even now,

In quarter, and in terms like bride and groom
Divesting them for bed: and then, but now
(As if some planet had unwitted men),
Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast,
In opposition bloody. I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds:
And 'would in action glorious I had lost
These legs that brought me to a part of it!

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
In mouths of wisest censure: what's the matter,
That you unlance your reputation thus,
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a night-brawler? Give me answer to it.

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:
Unless self-charity be sometime a vice;
And to defend ourselves it be a sin,
When violence assails us.

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 approved in this offence,
Though he had twinned with me, both at a birth,
Shall lose me.-What! in a town of war,
Yet wild, the people's hearts brimful of fear,
To manage private and domestic quarrel,
In night, and on the court of guard and safety!
'Tis monstrous.-lago, who began it?

Mon. If partially affined, or leagued in office,
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth,
Thou art no soldier.

The town might fall in fright: he, swift of foot,
Outran my purpose; and I returned the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords,
And Cassio high in oath; which till to-night
I ne'er might say before. 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 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, received
From him that fled some strange indignity,
Which patience could not pass.

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 raised up!-
I'll make thee an example.

Des. What is 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 MONTANO, who is led off.

Iago, look with care about the town,
And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.-