Rod. I cannot believe that in her; she is full of most blessed condition.o

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. Villainous 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 comınand, 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 tainting1 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;2 and, haply, with his truncheon may strike at you: Provoke him, that he nay: 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

9

2

condition.] Qualities, disposition of mind.
tainting-] Throwing a slur upon his discipline.
sudden in choler;] Sudden, is precipitately violent.

whose qualification shall come, &c.] Whose resentment shall not be so qualified or tempered, as to be well tasted, as not to retain some bitterness. The phrase is harsh, at least to our ears.

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.

Rod. Adieu.

[Exit.
Iago. That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
That she loves him, 'tis 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 iny revenge,
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,
Till 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,

4

to prefer them;] i. e to advance them.

$ If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash-] To trash, is still a hunter's phrase, and signifies to fasten a weight on the neck of a dog, when his speed is superior to that of his companions.

6

in the rank garb,] i. e. grossly, without mincing the

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. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd;

Knavery's plain face is never seen, till us'd.

[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.

Knavery's plain face is never seen,] An honest man acts upon a plan, and forecasts his designs; but a knave depends upon temporary and local opportunities, and never knows his own purpose, but at the time of execution. JOHNSON.

8

mere-] Mere in this place signifies entire.

SCENE III.

A Hall in the Castle.

Enter OTHELLO, DESDEMONA, Cassio, and Attendants.

Oth. Good Michael, look you to the guard to

night:

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 us1 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.

lago. And, I'll warrant her, full of game.

Cas. Indeed, she is a most fresh and delicate

creature.

1

Our general cast us-) Cast us means dismissed us, or got rid of our company.

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 alarm 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.

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

2

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! 'tis 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't; but it dislikes me. [Exit CASSIO. lago. 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 turn'd almost the wrong side out

ward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd.