shame to be so fond; but it is not in virtue to amend it.

Iago. Virtue? a fig! 'tis in ourselves, that we are thus, or thus. Our bodies are our gardens; to the which, our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles, or sow lettuce; set hyssop, and weed up thyme; supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many; either to have it steril with idleness, or manured with industry; why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills. If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions: But we have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts; whereof I take this, that you call love, to be a sect or scion.

Rod. It cannot be.

Iago. It is merely a lust of the blood, and a permission of the will. Come, be a man: Drown thyself? drown cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy friend, and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness; I could never better stead thee than now. Put money in thy purse; follow these wars; defeat thy favour with an usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. It cannot be, that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor,- put money in thy purse; -nor he his to her: it was a violent commencement, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration;-put but money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in their wills;-fill thy purse with money; the food that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must change for youth: when she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice. - She must have change, she must: therefore put money in thy purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a more delicate way than drowning. Make all the money thou canst: If sanctimony and a frail vow, betwixt an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian, be not too hard for my wits, and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. A pox of drowning thyself! it is clean out of the way: seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy, than to be drowned and go without her.

Rod. Wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?

Iago. Thou art sure of me; - Go, make money: I have told thee often, and I re-tell thee again and again, I hate the Moor: My cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason: Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him: if thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, and me a sport. There are many events in the womb of time, which will be delivered. Traverse; go; provide thy money. We will have more of this to-morrow. Adieu.

Rod. Where shall we meet i'the morning?
Iago. At my lodging.

Rod. I'll be with thee betimes.

Iago. Go to; farewell. Do you hear, Roderigo? Rod. What say you?

Iago. No more of drowning, do you hear. Rod. I am changed. I'll sell all my land. Iago. Go to; farewell! put money enough in your purse. [Exit RODERICO. Thus do I ever make my fool my purse: For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane,

If I would time expend with such a snipe,
But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor;
And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not ift be
true;

see: -

But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do, as if for surety. He holds me well;
The better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio's a proper man: Let me see now;
To get his place, and to plume up my will;
A double knavery, How? how?- Let me
After some time, to abuse Othello's ear,
That he is too familiar with his wife: -
He hath a person, and a smooth dispose,
To be suspected; fram'd to make women false.
The Moor is of a free and open nature,
That thinks men honest, that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by the nose,
As asses are.

Platform.

Enter MONTANO and Two Gentlemen.

Mon. What from the cape can you discern at sea? 1 Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood;

I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main,
Descry a sail.

Mon. Methinks, the wind hath spoke aloud at land;
A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements :
If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea,
What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them,
Can hold the mortise? what shall we hear of this?
2 Gent. A segregation of the Turkish fleet:
For do but stand upon the foaming shore,
The chiding billow seems to pelt the clouds;

main,

Seems to cast water on the burning bear,
And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole:
I never did like molestation view
On th' enchafed flood.

Mon.
If that the Turkish fleet
Be not inshelter'd and embay'd, they are drown'd;
It is impossible they bear it out..

Enter a Third Gentleman.

3 Gent. News, lord! our wars are done; The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks, That their designment balts: A noble ship of Venice Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance On most part of their fleet. Mon,

How! is this true?

3 Gent. The ship is here put in, A Veronesé; Michael Cassio, Lieutenant to the warlike Moor, Othello, Is come on shore: the Moor himself's at sea, And is in full commission here for Cyprus. Mon. I am glad on't, 'tis a worthy governor. 3 Gent. But this same Cassio, -though he speak of comfort,

Touching the Turkish loss, —yet he looks sadly, And prays the Moor be safe; for they were parted With foul and violent tempest.

Mon 'Pray heaven he be; For I have serv'd him, and the man commands Like a full soldier. Let's to the sea-side, ho! As well to see the vessel that's come in, As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello; Even till we make the main, and the aerial blue, An indistinct regard.

3 Gent.

Come, let's do so;

For every minute is expectancy'

Of more arrivance.

4 Gent. The town is empty; on the brow o'the sea Stand ranks of people, and they cry—a sail.

Cas.

Cas. My hopes do shape him for the governor. 2 Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy: [Guns heard. Our friends, at least. I pray you, sir, go forth, And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd. 2 Gent. I shall. Mon. But, good lieutenant, is your general wiv'd? Cas. Most fortunately: he hath achiev'd a maid That paragons description, and wild fame; One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens, And in the essential vesture of creation,

[Exit.

Does bear all excellency. How now? who has put in?

Re-enter Second Gentleman.

2 Gent. 'Tis one Iago, ancient to the general. Cas. He has had most favourable and happy speed:

Tempests themselves, high seas, and howling winds,
The gutter'd rocks, and congregated sands,
Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel,
As having sense of beauty, do omit

Their mortal natures, letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona.

Mon.

What is she?

That he may bless this bay with his tall ship,
Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms,
Give renew'd fire to our extincted spirits,
And bring all Cyprus comfort! - O, behold,
Enter DESDEMONA, EMILIA, IAGO, RODERIGO, and
Attendants.

The riches of the ship is come on shore!
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees: -
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!

Des.
I thank you, valiant Cassio.
What tidings can you tell me of my lord?
Cas. He is not yet arriv'd; nor know I aught
But that he's well, and will be shortly here.
Des. O, but I fear; How lost you company?
Cas. The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship: But, hark! a sail.

[Cry within, A sail, a sail! Then guns heard. 2 Gent. They give their greeting to the citadel; This likewise is a friend. See for the news. —

Cas.

[Exit Gentleman.

[TO EMILIA.

Good ancient, you are welcome;- Welcome, mis

tress:

Let it not gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy.

[Kissing her.
Iago. Sir, would she give you so much of her lips,
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me,
You'd have enough.

Des.

Alas, she has no speech.

Iago. In faith, too much;

I find it still, when I have list to sleep:
Marry, before your ladyship, I grant,
She puts her tongue a little in her heart,
And chides with thinking.

Emil.
You have little cause to say so.
Iago. Come on, come on; you are pictures out
of doors,

Bells in your parlours, wild cats in your kitchens,
Saints in your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives in
your beds.

Des. O, fye upon thee, slanderer!

Iago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk; You rise to play, and go to bed to work. Emil. You shall not write my praise. Iago. No, let me not. Des. What would'st thou write of me, if thou should'st praise me?

Iago. O gentle lady, do not put me to't; For I am nothing, if not critical.

Des. Come on, assay: ̧ There's one gone to the

harbour?

Iago. Ay, madam.

captain,

Left in the conduct of the bold Iago;

Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts,

A se'nnight's speed. - Great Jove, Othello guard, And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath;

If she be fair and wise, fairness, and wit,
The one's for use, the other useth it.

Des. Well prais'd! How if she be black and witty? Iago. If she be black, and thereto have a wit, She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit.

Des. Worse and worse.

Emil. How, if fair and foolish?

Jago. She never yet was foolish that was fair;

For even her folly help'd her to an heir.

Des. These are old fond paradoxes, to make fools laugh i'the alehouse. What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul and foolish?

Iago. There's none so foul, and foolish thereunto,

But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do. Des. O heavy ignorance!-thou praisest the worst best. But what praise could'st thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed? one, that, in the authority of her merit, did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself?

Iago. She that was ever fair, and never proud;
Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud;
Never lack'd gold, and yet went never gay;
Fled from her wish, and yet said, - now I may;
She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,
Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly:
She that in wisdom never was so frail,

To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;
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; 'tis so, indeed: if such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, 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 clyster-pipes for your sake! [Trumpet.] The Moor, I know his trumpet. Cas. "Tis truly so.

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:

And this, and this, the greatest discords be,

(Kissing hér.

That e'er our hearts shall make!
Iago.

O, you are well tun'd now! But I'll set down the pegs that make this musick, As honest as I am.

[Aside. Oth. Come, let's to the castle. — News, friends; our wars are done, the Turks are drown'd.

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
In mine own comforts. I pr'ythee, good lago,
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, Desdemona,
Once more well met at Cyprus.

[Exeunt Oru. Drs. and Attend. Iago. Do thou meet me presently at the harbour. Come hither. If thou be'st valiant as (they say) base men, being in love, have then a nobility in their natures more than 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.

Tago. 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 Moer; very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Now, sir, this granted, (s it is a most pregnant and unforced position,) whe stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune, as Cassio does? a knave very voluble; no further coscionable, 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, noĘ; 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 kʊaw is handsome, young; and hath all those requisite in him, that folly and green minds look after: A pestilent complete knave; and the woman 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 made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she woul never have loved the Moor: Blessed pudding! Did thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand didst not mark that?

Rod. Yes, that I did; but that was but courtesh Iago. Lechery, by this hand; an index. s obscure prologue to the history of lust and al thoughts. They met so near with their lips, that Bet breaths embraced together. Villainous thoug

A soldier's a man ;

A life's but a span ;

Why then, let a soldier drink.

Some wine, boys!

[Wine brought in. 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!

King Stephen was a worthy peer,

His breeches cost him but a crown; He held them sixpence all too dear, With that he call'd 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.

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.

Mon. To the platform, masters; come, let's set

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 Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio, And looks not on his evils; Is not this true? Enter RODERIGO.

Iago. How, now, Roderigo?

I pray you, after the lieutenant; go.

[Erit RODERICO. Mon. And 'tis great pity, that the noble Mour 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!

Re-enter Cassio, driving in RODERIGO,

Cas. You rogue! you rascal!

Mon. What's the matter, lieutenant ? Cas. A knave!-teach me my duty! I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle. Rod. Beat me!

Cas.

Mon.

Dost thou prate, rogue? [Striking RansSICO Nay, good lieutenant, [Staying in

I pray you, sir, hold your hand.

Cas.

Let me go, sir,

Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard.

Mon.

Cas. Drunk!
Iago. Away, I say!

Come, come, you're drunk. [They Aght!

go out, and cry-amate Aside to ROD. the gar Nay, good lieutenant, alas, gentlemen,Help, ho!-Lieutenant,-sir,-Montano,-sir, Help, masters! Here's a goodly watch, indus [Bell ring Who's that that rings the bell? - Diablo, be! The town will rise: God's will, lieutenant' hold;

You will be sham'd for ever.