Jago. No more of drowning, do you hear?
Rod. I am chang'd. I'll go sell all my land.
Iago. Go to; farewell; put money enough in
your purse.
[Exit Roderigo.
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse:
For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane, 15
If I should 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

1 Gent. Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought 35 I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main, Descry a sail.

By a Veronese, a ship of Verona is denoted.

and approv'd allowance, is put for allow'd and approv'd expertness. * The meaning, Mr. Steevens thinks, is, Therefore, my hopes, not being destroy'd by their own excess, but being reasonable and moderate, are likely to be fulfilled.

Cas. What noise?

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

Cas. My hopes do shape him for the governor.
Gent. They do discharge their shot of courtesy: 5
Our friends, at least.
[Guns heard.

Cas. I pray you, sir, go forth,
And give us truth who 'tis that is arrived.
Gent. I shall.

[Exit.

Mont. But, good lieutenant, is your general 10
wiv'd?

Cas. Most fortunately: he hath atchiev'd a maid
That paragons description, and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens,
And, in the essential vesture of creation,
Does bear all excellency'. How now? who has
put in ?
Re-enter Gentleman,

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, 15 Saints in your injuries, devils being offended, Players in your housewifery, and housewives in your beds.

Gent. 'Tis one lago, ancient to the general.
Cas. He has had most favourable and happy 20
speed:

Tempests themselves, high seas, and howlingwinds,
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.

Mont. What is she?

[captain,

Cas. She that I spake of, our great captain's
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;
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, Iago, Roderigo, and Amilia.
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.
[Within.] A sail, a sail!

[Guns heard. Gent. They give this greeting to the citadel; This likewise is a friend.

mistress.

25

30

35

140

45

50

Cas. See for the news.— [Anattendant goes out.
Good ancient, you are welcome;— Welcome, 55
[To Emilia.
Let not it gall your patience, good Iago,
That I extend my manners; 'tis my breeding
That gives me this bold shew of courtesy.

Des. O, fie upon thee, slanderer!

Iago. Nay, it is true, or else I am a Turk; You rise to play, and go to bed to work. Amil. You shall not write my praise. lago. No, let me not.

Des. What would'st thou write of me, if thou should praise me?

Lago. 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.

Des. I am not merry; but I do beguile
The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.—
Come, how would'st thou praise me?

Iago. I am about it; but, indeed, my invention
Comes from my pate, as bird-lime does from frize,
It plucks out brains and all: But my muse labours,

And thus she is deliver'd:

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?

Iago. 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 ? Pago. 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 [Kisses her. 60 of very malice itself 1?

2

That is, She excels the praises of invention, and in real (the author seeming to use essential for real) qualities, with which creation has invested her, bears all excellency. That is, censorious. Dr. Johnson says, To put on the couch of malice, is to assuine a character vouched by the testimony of malice itself.

She that in wisdom never was so frail,
To change the cod's head for the salmon's 10
tail';
[mind,
She that could think, and neʼer disclose her
See suitors following, and not look behind;
She was a wight,-if ever such wight|

15

Lago. To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer2. 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 20 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, 25 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 kiss'd your 30 three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in. Very good; well kiss'd! an excellent courtesy! 'tis so indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? 'would, they were clyster-pipes for your sake!The Moor, I know his trumpet.

[Trumpet. 35

1i. e. to exchange a delicacy for coarser fare.

gross of language, of expression broad and brutal.

2 i. e. to keep the accounts of a household. 'i. e. 4i. e. a licentious talker. i. e. catch, shackle. i. e. out of method, without any settled order of discourse. 'i. e. the place where the guard musters. i. e. on thy mouth, to stop it while thou art listening to a wiser man. • Minds not yet fully formed.

Rod. I cannot believe that in her; she is full of

most bless'd condition'.

Iago. Bless'd figs' end! the wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been bless'd, she would never have lov'd the Moor: Bless'd pud- 5 ding! Didst thou not see her paddle in the palm of his hand? didst not mark that?

10

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 embrac'd together. Villainous thoughts, Roderigo! When these mutualities so marshal the way, hard at hand comes the master and main exercise, the incorporate conclusion:15 Pish! But, sir, be you rul'd 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 20 too loud, or tainting his discipline; or from what other course you please, which the time shall more favourably minister.

Rod. Well.

4

30

Iago. Sir, he is rash, and very sudden in 25 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 you can bring it to any opportunity.

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

[Exit.

Rod. Adieu.
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 my 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;

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45

50

Or, failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgement 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. 'Tis here, but yet confus'd;
Knavery's plain face is never seen, 'tillus'd. [Exit.

SCENE II.
A Street.

Enter Herald, with a proclamation.

Her. It is Othello's pleasure, our noble and valiant general, that, upon certain tidings now arriv'd,importing the mere 10 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! [Exits

Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop,
Not to out-sport discretion.

Cas. Jago hath direction, what to do;
But, notwithstanding, with my personal eye
Will I look to't.

Oth. Iago is most honest.

liest,

Michael, good night: To-morrow, with your ear-
[love;
Let me have speech with you.-Come, my dear
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
[To Desdemona.
That profit 's yet to come 'twixt me and you.-
Good night. [Exeunt Othello and Desdemona.
Enter Iago.

Cas. Welcome, Iago: We must to the watch. Jago. Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o'clock: Our general cast us "thus early, for the 55 love of his Desdemona: whom let us not there

7

1i. e. qualities, disposition of mind. 2 Indexes were formerly prefixed to books. i. e. throwing a slur upon his discipline. + Sudden, is precipitately violent. i. e. whose resentment shall not be so qualified or tempered, as to be well tasted, as not to retain some bitterness. "A trifling, insignificant fellow may, in some respects, very well be called trash. "To trash a hound is a term of hunting still used in the North, and perhaps not uncommon in other parts of England. It is, to correct, to rate. A phrase from the art of wrestling. 'Rank garb may mean grossly, i. e. without mincing the matter. 10 Mere in this place signifies entire. "That is, appointed us to our stations, according to Dr. Johnson; whereas Mr. Steevens thinks, that cast us only means dismissed us, or got rid of our

company.

fore 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 5

creature.

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

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

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

Cas. She is, indeed, perfection.

10

Iago. Well, happiness to their sheets! Come, lieutenant, I have a stoop of wine; and here 15 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 lago; I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking: I could well 20 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 25 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 30 gallants desire it.

Cas. Where are they?

lago. Here at the door; I pray you, call them in.
Cas. I'll do 't; but it dislikes me. [Exit Cassio.
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 hath turn'd almost the wrong side

outward,

To Desdemona hath to-night carouz'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 2,-
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

-

35

40

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!

Cas. 'Fore heaven, an excellent song.

lago. I learn'd 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 exquisite 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 fill'd.

Cas. To the health of our general. Mont. I am for it, lieutenant; and I'll do you justice.

lago. O sweet England!

4

King Stephen was a worthy peer",
His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them six-pence all too dear,
With that he call'd the taylor- lown.
He was a wight of high renown,

6

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 that must be saved, Jand 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 I do too, lieutenant.

Cas. Ay, but, by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient, 45 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 50 now; I can stand well enough, and I speak well enough.

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.
Enter Cassio, Montano, and Gentlemen.
Cas. 'Fore heaven, they have given me a rouse 155
already.

Mont. Good faith, a little one; not past a pint,
As I am a soldier.

Iago. Some wine, ho!

[Tago sings.

All. Excellent well.

Cas. Why, very well then: you must not think then that I am drunk.

[Exit. Mont. 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;

1i. e. slily mixed with water. 2 i. e. As quarrelsome as the discordia semina rerum; as quick in opposition as fire and water. A rouse appears to be a quantity of liquor rather too large. 4 These stanzas are taken from an old song, which the reader will find in Percy's Relicks of Ancient Poetry. i. e. a worthy fellow. fi. e. sorry fellow, paltry wretch.

'Tis