That he is too familiar with his wife-
He hath a perfon, and a smooth dispose,
To be fufpected; fram'd to make women falfe.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,

That thinks men honeft that but seem to be fo;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose,

As affes are.

I hav't-it is engender'd-Hell and Night

Muft bring this monftrous birth to the world's light.

[Exit.

ACT II. SCENE I.

The capital City of Cyprus.

Enter Montano, Governor of Cyprus, and Gentlemen.

W

ΜοΝΤΑΝΟ,

HAT from the cape, can you difcern at fea? 1 Gent. Nothing at all, it is a high wrought flood;

I cannot 'twixt the heaven and the main

Defcry a fail.

Mont. Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land; A fuller blast ne'er fhook our battlements;

If it hath ruffian'd fo upon the fea,

What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them, Can hold the mortife? What fhall we hear of this?

2 Gent. A fegregation of the Turkish fleet; For do but fland upon the foaming fhore,

The

The chiding billows feem to pelt the clouds;
The wind-fhak'd furge, with high and monftrous

main,

Seems to caft water on the burning Bear,

7 And quench the guards of th' ever-fixed pole. I never did like moleftation view

On the enchafed flood.

Mont. If that the Turkish fleet

Be not infhelter'd and embay'd, they're drown'd;
It is impoffible to bear it out.

SCENE II

Enter a third Gentleman.

3 Gent. News, Lads, our wars are done :
The defperate tempeft hath fo bang'd the Turks,
That their defignment halts. A noble fhip of Venice
Hath feen a grievous wreck and fufferance

Of most part of the fleet.

Mont. How is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in,

A Veronefe; Michael Caffio,

Lieutenant of the warlike Moor Othello,
Is come on fhore; the Moor himself's at sea,
And is in full commiffion here for Cyprus.

Mont. I'm glad on't; 'tis a worthy Governor.
3 Gent. But this fame Caffio, though he speak of

comfort

Touching the Turkish lofs, yet he looks fadly,
And prays the Moor be fafe; for they were parted
With foul and violent tempeft.

7 And quench the guard of th ever fixed fole.] Alluling to the Rat Aratophylax.

A a 2

Mont,

Mont. Pray heav'ns, he be:

For I have ferv'd him, and the man commands
Like a full foldier. Let's to the fea-fide,

As well to fee the veffel that's come in,

As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello,
Ev'n till we make the main and th' aerial blue
An indiftinct regard.

Gent. Come, let's do fo;

For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance.

SCENE IIL

Enter Caffio.

Caf. Thanks to the valiant of this warlike ifle, That fo approve the Moor: oh, let the heav'ns Give him defence against the elements,

For I have loft him on a dangerous fea.

9

Mont. Is he well-fhipp'd?

8

Caf. His bark is ftoutly timber'd; and his pilot Of very expert and approv'd allowance;

Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,

Caf. What noife?

Gent. The town is empty; on the brow o' th' fea Stand ranks of people, and they cry, a fail.

Caf. My hopes do fhape him for the Governor.
Gent. They do difcharge their fhot of courtesy.
Our friends, at leaft.
[Sound of Cannon.

Caf. I pray you, Sir, go forth,
And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd.

Gent. I fhall.

[Exit.

Mont. But, good lieutenant, is your General wiv'd? Caf. Moft fortunately: He hath atchiev'd a maid That paragons description and wild fame ; One that excels the quirks of blaz'ning pens, And in th' effential veture of creation

2 Does bear all excellency

And in th' ESSENTIAL vef ture of creation. Does bear all excellency] It is plain that fomething very hy perbolical was here intended. But what is there as it ftands? Why this, that in the effence of creation he bore all excellency. The expreffion is intolerable, and could never come from one who fo well understood the force of words as our Poet. The effential vefture is the fame as effential form. So that the expreffion is nonfenfe. For the veflure of creation fignifies the forms in which created beings are caft, And ef fence relates not to the form, but to the matter. Shakespear certainly wrote,

And in TERRESTRIAL vefure of creation. And in this lay the wonder,

SCENE

Enter Gentleman.

How now? who has put in?

IV.

Gent. 'Tis one laga, Ancient to the General, Caf. H'as had moft favourable and happy speed; Tempests themselves, high feas, and howling winds; The gutter'd rocks, and congregated fands, Traitors enfteep'd to clog the guiltless keel; As having fenfe of beauty, do omit Their mortal natures, letting fafe go by The divine Desdemona.

Mont. What is she?

Caf. She that I fpake of, our great Captain's Captain,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago:

Whofe footing here anticipates our thoughts,
A fe'nnight's fpeed. Great Jove, Othello guard!
And fwell his fail with thine own powerful breath,
That he may bless this bay with his tall fhip,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,
**And bring all Cyprus comfort-

SCENE V.

Enter Desdemona, lago, Rodorigo, and Æmilia.

behold!

The riches of the fhip is come on thore.

Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heav'n
Before, behind thee, and on every
hand
Enwheel thee round.

Def