Des. Let's meet him, and receive him.
Cas. Lo, where he comes!

Enter Othello, and Attendants.

Oth. O my fair warrior!
Des.
My dear Othello!
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 waken'd 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,
'Twere 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.

Des.
The heavens forbid,
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:
Aud this, and this, the greatest discords be,

That e'er our hearts shall make!
Iago.

[Kissing her.

O, you are well tun'd now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this music, As honest as I am. [Aside. Come, let's to the castle.News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.

Oth.

How do our old acquaintance of this isle?
Honey, you shall be well desir'd' in Cyprus,
I have found great love amongst them. O my sweet,
I prattle out of fashion, and I dote

2

In mine own comforts.-I pr'ythee, 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
Doth challenge much respect.-Come, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.

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 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 bath 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 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 min

ister.

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 [Exeunt Othello, Desdemona, and Attendants. shall then have to prefer them; and the impediIago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour.ment most profitably removed, without the which Come hither. If thou be'st valiant,-as (they say) there were no expectation of our prosperity. base men, being in love, have then a nobility in Rod. I will do this, if I can bring it to any optheir natures more than is native to them,-list me.3 portunity. The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard:-First, I must tell thee this-Desdemona is directly in love with him.

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.
Jago. 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, But partly led to diet my revenge,
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

Jago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
That she loves him, 'tis apt, and of great credit:
The Moor-how beit 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,)

(1) Much solicited by invitation.
(2) Out of method, without order.
(3) Listen to me. (4) Minds unripe.

For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or shall content my soul,
Til I am even with him, wife for wife;
Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor

(5) Qualities, disposition of mind.
(6) Throwing a slur upon his discipline.
(7) Perhaps. (9) To advance them.

458

At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,
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,3—

For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too;

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.

lago. O, they are our friends; but one cup; I'll drink for you.

Cas. I have drunk but one cup to-night, and that

Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, was craftily qualified" too, and, behold, what inno

For making him egregiously an ass,

And practising upon his peace and quiet

Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd;
Knavery's plain face is never seen, till us'd.

SCENE II-A street. Enter a Herald,

proclamation; people following.

[Exit.

with a

vation 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?

Iago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them m. Cas. I'll do't; but it dislikes me. [Exit Cassiu. Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and vallago. If I can fasten but one cup upon him, jant general, that, upon certain tidings now arrived, 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,
ward,

beneficial news, it is the celebration of his nuptials: Whom love has turn'd almost the wrong side outSo 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, [Exeunt. and our noble general, Othello. Enter SCENE III.-A hall in the castle. Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants. Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard tonight:

Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Not to out-sport 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 our 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 Oth. Des. and Attend. Enter Iago.

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.

Jago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game. Cas. Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate creature.

lago. 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 alarm to love?

Cas. She is, indeed, perfection.

Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine; and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants, that would fain have a measure to the health of the black Othello.

To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd
Potations pottle-deep; and he's to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus,-noble swelling spirits,
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 of
drunkards,

Am I to put our Cassio in some action
That may offend the isle:-But here they come:
If consequence do but approve my dream,

My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
Re-enter Cassio; with him Montano, and Gentie-

men.

Cas. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse already.

Mon. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint, as I am a soldier.

lago. Some wine, ho!

And let me the canakin clink, clink;
And let me the canakin clink:

A soldier's a man ;
A life's but a span ;
Why then, let a soldier drink.

Some wine, boys!

[Sings

[Wine brought inCas. '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!

King Stephen was a worthy peer,10
His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them sixpence all too dear,

With that he call'd the tailor-lown."

(6) Dismissed. (7) Slily mixed with water. (8) A little more than enough.

(9) Drink as much as you do.

(10) A worthy fellow." (11) Clown.

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

Are we turn'd 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 motionSilence that dreadful bell, it frights the isle From her propriety.-What is the matter, mas ters ?

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 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 fago, look with care about the town; vice in her goodness, not to do more than she is And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted.-requested: This broken joint, between you and Come, Desdemona; 'tis the soldier's life, To have their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife. [Exeunt all but lago and

her husband, entreat her to splinter; and, my fortunes against any lays worth naming, this crack of Cassio.vour love shall grow stronger than it was before. Cas. You advise me well.

Iago. I protest, in the sincerity of love, and honest kindness.

Cas. Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I Cas. I think it freely; and, betimes in the mornhave lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal ing, I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to unpart, sir, of myself, and what remains is bestial.-dertake for me: I am desperate of my fortunes, if My reputation, lago, my reputation.